Disqualifications mar first heat of Finn series

Press, 21 February 1980, Page 28

Disqualifications mar first heat of Finn series

From

JOHN COFFEY

in

Auckland

Jorgen Lindhardtsen, one of the older salts of Finn class yachting, sailed one of the finest races of his career on the Hauraki Gulf yesterday, but there was no winner's gun for him at the end of the first heat of the Peter Stuyvesant World Finn Gold Cup series. The amiable 34-year-old Danish architect led throughout the event, only Ito discover at the finish that he had been disqualified, with nine other competitors, I for being across the line at the start. Victory, then, went as so many had predicted to a North American helmsman. However, it was not a member of the formidable United States squad, but a Canadian. Larry Lemieux, who has become the early leader in the championship. It was perhaps not surprising that Lemieux should be overlooked in much of the pre-contest conjecture, for the fleet of 66 contains 14 present or former world title-holders in several classes. Lemieux’s entry form contained no record of past achievements and it was not until yesterday that his credentials became known. The

Canadian champion for the last two seasons, Lemieux has twice been among the top three in North American series, and in the last northern summer he beat many of the best European yachtsmen in the Netherlands and Italy.

As well as Lemieux performed after not having been in the- first 20 at the top mark, the big spectator fleet had concentrated on Lindhardtsen, who at one stage had been Imin 30s clear, and he later comfortably covered the challenging Lemieux.

However, there was an ominous silence from the committee craft as Lindhardsten completed the course. The winner’s gun was not fired until Lemieux arrived a short time later, ahead of Mark Neeleman (the Netherlands), John Bertrand (United States), Richard Dod-son (New Zealand), and Derek Breitenstein (Finland).

It was then' obvious that Lindhardtsen had been disqualified. He was not alone. Neeleman and Bertran were also judged to have begun prematurely, as had the 1976 champion, Chris Law (Britain).

The murmurings of discontent were heard as soon as the yachtsmen reached the Takapuna beach. There

was a widespread opinion that the start line — which had been reset when a light northerly breeze swung around to the west and freshened — was not true, and many observers contended that Bertrand, at least, had returned after transgressing. Equally strong was the opinion that Thomas Jungblut (West Germany), whose boat had arrived in Auckland just a few hours before the race, should have been included on the list of those over the line.

A steady demand for protest forms was not unexpected and the validity of individual placings, and possibly the race itself, .cannot be confirmed until the protest committee weighs Up the arguments this morning. Evidence that the start line had .a bias was clear from the manner in which most of the helmsmen converged to one end, and there were chaotic scenes as they jockeyed for position. Lindhardtsen, Bertrand, and Neeleman were quick into the queue lodging protests. Fluctuating winds had already caused a long delay before two general recalls put the race more than two hours behind. A further swing, to the south-west, necessitated resiting the finishing line.

It was not only the conditions which altered dramatically. Richard Dodson, promoted to second, had been eleventh to round the first buoy, and his brother, Tom* passed about 30 of his rivals to rescue a more creditable thirteenth. One of the most dramatic advances was that of Peter Lester, who surged from twenty-third to sixth on the reach, only to lose out again on the beats. He had to be content with tenth over all and third New Zealander. The cup holder, Cam Lewis (United States), progressed from eighteenth to sixth.

The Canterbury champion* Freerk Kempkers, gave a most creditable display* Twelfth after the first leg* Kempkers stuck to his task weir" and was eventually nineteenth, ahead of several highly regarded'New Zealand and overseas skippers* Ben Winters was fortieth and Peter Kempkers forty-fifth. However,. Lemieux's sudden emergence as a top contender might have all been' in vain. With so much doubt surrounding the future of the Olympic Games regatta, the Gold Cup series is being! regarded as the premieq event on the 1980 calendar* and the bundle of . protests' might force a resail of the; opening heat.