Big yachting entry

Press, 4 December 1978, Page 17

Big yachting entry

[ Official approval and re-1 [ cognition from the Educa- ! tion Department is expected [ to boost interest and entries ; in the first full inter-schools i [vachting regatta to be sailed from the Mount Pleasant Yacht Club on Monday. Last year more than 401 i secondary-school pupils [competed. About 100 is', i likely this year, with the ex- ;i i tension of the regatta to in- | elude primary and inter-i, mediate schools. | Paul Pritchett, a spokes- ! man for the organising com-. i mittee. said it hoped yach- ; ting would become part of 1 imanx schools’ sports programmes, with smaller re-' • gattas between zoned groups. i of schools being held on j their usual sports days. “We have been negotiat-[| ing with the Education Department for about three| [ years. Initially, it would not ■ accept sailing and even 12 I

'months ago, after the Op I timist class was introduced and proved to be safe, it was still not allowed in school time,” he said. The racing on Monday .morning means a breakthrough for the yach--1 ting officials who have worked to promote the sport I among junior and intermediate helmsmen. Courses will be set according to the entrants’ ability and experience. Beacuse of the tides in the Estuary a 9 a.m. start is necessary. The main event will be the final heat of the Peter Mander Trophy interschools J.C.-class senes. The other classes likely to attract large entries are the Starlings, P, and Optimists and there will be a section for other designs.