Gretel takes early lead in yacht race

Press, 27 December 1980, Page 3

Gretel takes early lead in yacht race

NZPA- correspondent Sydney

The maxi-yacht New Zealand was lying in third place over all in the Sydney-Ho-bart race when crews reported in three hours after the start yesterday. In the light north-east winds New Zealand, which has been tipped to take line honours in the 630-nautical mile race, was trailing one of Australia’s most famous yachts, Gretel, and Helsal 11. New Zealand, built for the Whitbred round the world racef had led the 102 yachts in the Hobart fleet out of the heads in superb summer weather, watched by thousands on shore and in innumerably pleasure craft. However. after three

hours Gretel, making her fourth bid at the race, was in the lead over all for line honours, having ' covered 23.66 miles followed by Helsal II (23.46 miles) and New Zealand (22.83) miles. A further 1.72 miles back in fourth position was the : newly-built Evelyn. In the handicap positions, New Zealand, skippered by Peter Blake, was lying 28th over all, but eleventh in its division. The biggest yacht in the < fleet Anaconda 11, skippered by South Australian,' Josko Grubic, was the centre of a ] mishap soon after the start when the fleet of 102 yachts was crowded by thousands . of spectator craft. Anaconda 11 was caught on the wrong tack and faced i

a protest by the skipper of the Sydney yacht, Gidgee after having a near collision with her Sydney rival. Gidgee was forced: to come about to avoid collision and her skipper. Bob Forster, immediately hoisted the red protest flag. For an agonising few minutes Anaconda’s crew were shattered in the knowledge they faced the long journey to Hobart with the shadow of disqualification hanging over the yacht. However, in a fine sporting gesture completely in keeing with the tremendous race -tradition, Forster later pulled down the protest flag to indicate no action would be taken by him over the incident.