Olympic yachts battered

Press, 24 October 1978, Page 6

Olympic yachts battered

Two Canterbury yachtsmen with extensive international experience, Bryan Treleaven and Bret de Thier, performed best in an abbreviated Olympic yachting classes regatta at Lyttelton during the weekend. Treleaven, at the helm of his Flying Dutchman, and de Thier, skippering the Tornado that he races in partnership with Steve Moffatt, were the only finishers — and the only competitors not to suffer capsizes — in rigorous conditions yesterday. The practice race and opening heat which had been scheduled for Saturday were abandoned and only one of the two heats which had been set down for Sunday was raced because of the unfavourable weather. De Thier had Imin to spare

over Des Bryson with another Canterbury helmsman, Tom Rolton, third in the Tornado class on Sun-, day. There was a similar margin between Alister MacFarlane (Wanaka) and the Finn division runner-up. Ben Winters (Canterbury), who was well clear of the remainder of the fleet headed by Bill Frater (Timaru) and Andrew MacFarlane (Wanaka). The most decisive victory was that gained by Treleaven, who was almost smin in front of the well-performed Wellingtony achtsman, Milton Pope, among the Flying Dutchman entrants. Two Canterbury skippers. John Morrison and Dave Campbell, were next. It was a particularly satisfying display by Treleaven, who was using new sails on his boat. Even though the racing was restricted, Tre-

leaven was able to gauge his present form in comparison to that of Pope and had a valuable warm-up for tht South Island championship! at Lyttelton on November 11 and 12. And on Otago Harboui Robin Courts, of the Otagc Yacht Club, held off chai lenges from 27 contestants and retained the South Islant Trophy for Laser class yachts in the five-race contest. Russell Courts, 16. put ir a strong challenge against his older brother and did no! concede the contest until th* last race, despite his lack ol stamina, weight and experience in the class. Peter Kempkers (Christ church) finished second equa with Russell Coutts. with an other Christchurch yachts man, Peter Maynard, fourt’ 1 and A. Garbutt (Ravens bourne) fifth.