Jet boat marathon

Press, 13 September 1982, Page 23

Jet boat marathon

PA Wanganui Rain, drizzle, and wind played havoc on the final North Island stage of the Citizen Watch jet boat marathon down . the Wanganui River yesterday. The hard-luck story of the day on the 234 km stage Was that of John Watson, of Christchurch, who was second overall going into the race from Taumarunui. Watson blew a rod through the side of. his block and did not finish the stage. However, his

lead was still enough to give him honours in the C class for the North Island racing. The blown block, however, puts him out of contention for major honours when the marathon switches to South Island rivers this w-eek as onlyone block is allowed to be used in the event. Times were slow in Saturday’s section. The 1978 world championship runner-up. Don Johnstone (Fielding), won the section

in a time of 2hr Imin 25sec. The world champion. Max McKenzie (Taumarunui) retained his marathon lead in a time of 2:17.38 for the second-fastest time of the day. Stewart Parsons (Waitotara) w.as third, in 2:46.3. The Hastings pair of John Toogood and crew, Derek Richmond. were taken to Taumarunui Hospital after their boat hit a rock and flipped over soon after the start.

McKenzie also hit a rock as did the world speed class champion. Ted Hill (Hastings), who has taken over second place overall on the tour but is 55min 22sec behind McKenzie on aggregate. Second to Hill in the B class is Jim Larkin (Greymouth). Leading the C division is John Watson. from John Walters (Marton). The D class is headed by Ron Hardie (Palmerston North) from Kelvin Frederikson (Inglewood).