S.I. Zephyr yachting

Press, 28 November 1983, Page 8

S.I. Zephyr yachting

Ken Maynard, of the Christchurch Yacht Club, is the new South Island Zephyr class champion. A third placing in the fourth heat and victory in the fifth and final heat gave him a decisive over-all success.

The Zephyr championships and the first two heats in the Canterbury Finn championships were sailed on the Estuary on Saturday and yesterday. Conditions were good, a steady north-easterly wind between eight and 10 knots blowing on Saturday and strengthening a little in intensity for yesterday’s races. It was the first time that the Finn championships had been held on the Estuary for about 10 years and the nationally rated Freerk Kempkers, sailing Somefinn Else, proved his class with two excellent wins.

Kempkers led all the way in the first heat and was never challenged, winning by almost smin. However, he was made to work harder in the second by Phil Folter before taking control three-quarters of the way down the first leg. Although three heats remain, Kempkers seems certain of the provincial title.

The consistency of Maynard proved decisive in the Zephyr class championship. A ninth in the first heat was his worst performance and he was able to drop that placing under the points scoring system. His other four finishes were second, first, third and first.

In a big field of 32, the New Zealand women’s champion, Sandra Hines, did very well to finish third over all. Sailing Zippy, she never finished further back than sixth in the five races.

Last year’s champion, Don Le Page, sailing Nutcracker, had to settle for sixth placing over all. Results:—

Canterbury Finn championship (Avalyn Trophy).— Heat 1: Somefinn Else (F. Kempkers, C.Y.M.8.C.), 12:29:31, 1; No Name (B. Winters, C.8.Y.C.), 12:34:25, 2; Chariot of Freedom (R. Hall, P.P.Y.C.), 12:35:35, 3; Hyffin (T. Mardon, M.P.Y.C.), 4. Heat 2: Somefinn Else, 1:11:55, 1; Kimosarby (P. Folter, P.P.Y.C.), 1:13:22, 2; No Name, 1:14:24, 3; Chariot of Freedom, 1:15.00, 4. South Island Zephyr championship.— Heat 4: Muscatel (M. Hay P.P.Y.C.), 12:09:18, 1; Belinda (R. Park, C.Y.C.), 12:11:54, 2; Moana (K. Maynard, C.Y.C.), 12:12:14, 3; Tui (R. Roberton, C.Y.C.), 12:12:14, 4; Harlequin (G. Badger, C.Y.C.), 12:13:44, 5. Heat 5: Moana, 12:53:24, 1; Harlequin, 12:54:43, 2; Gamble (P. Stemmer, C.Y.C.), 12:56:01, 3; Zippy (Sandra Hines, C.Y.C.), 12:56:25, 4; Nutcracker (D. Le Page, C.Y.C.), 12:56.34, 5. Over-all placings (worst placing in five heats excluded).— Moana, 8.7 points, 1; Gamble, 20.1, 2; Zippy, 29.0, 3; Muscatel 35.1, 4; Harlequin, 38.0, 5.