N.Z. now third in Cup series

Press, 5 August 1985, Page 24

N.Z. now third in Cup series

NZPA special correspondent Cowes New Zealand slipped to third in the Admiral’s Cup series as a storm-tossed Channel race bent Exador’s mast and strengthened European hopes for the prized yachting trophy. Britain charged past the New Zealanders into second place with the first two boats home on corrected time in the 212-mile race. The defending champion, West Germany, increased its lead in the 18-nation series through another consistent three-boat team race.

But it was still a solid result for New Zealand, which had Exador tenth on handicap, Epic twelfth, and Canterbury eighteenth out of the 54-boat Admiral’s Cup fleet. Twelve of the Cup entries retired when they faced gales gusting to force eight.

Canterbury’s skipper, Roy Dickson, told NZPA that Exador would have a new mast for tomorrow’s race, the fourth in a series of five. Dickson said Exador was damaged in “terrible” con-

ditions at the start of a race which lasted a day and a night. The Round-the-world maxi Lion New Zealand was sixth in a division separate from the Admiral’s Cup fleet. The American craft Nirvana won division one, with Lion trailing Atlantic Privateer, Moonduster, Orlanda and Phillips Innovator. Peter Blake’s boat finished in 23hr lOmin 21s, corrected to 31.39.36. New Zealand had 855 points in the Admiral’s Cup after the channel race. Germany was on 907 and Britain moved up from fourth with 891 on provisional results.

Jade, steered by the double Olympic gold medallist, Rodney Pattison, took first place on handicap for Britain, who also had Panda second and Phoenix eighth. For Germany, Outsider was third, Rubin sixth and Diva twenty-seventh. The Australian yacht Challenge, which later lost her mast, lodged a protest against Jade over an incident at the start. The fleet had to beat into

westerly gales before the survivors found easier going when they were able to reach both ways across the English Channel to Vai de Saire. Rob Humphreys, designer and co-navigator of Jade, said the race was “cold and wet rather than dangerous.” The fast finish at least gave the battered crews

three days to prepare for the fourth race, the third inshore battle tomorrow. The series will climax with the start of the 605-mile Fastnet race on Saturday. Provisional results ot the 212-mile Channel race: Jade (Britain), 28hr smin 28s (corrected time), 1; Panda (Britain), 28.07.54, 2; Outsider (West Germany), 28.08.32, 3; Euro (Denmark), 28.15.17, 4; Coyote (France), 28.17.01, 5; Rubin (West Germany), 28.19.08, 6; Exador (N.Z.) 28.25.14, 10; Epic (N.Z.), 28.27.54, 12; Canterbury (N.Z.), 28.42.17, 18. Over-all leaders: West Germany, 907, 1; Britain 891, 2; New Zealand, 855, 3; Denmark, 742, 4.