Yachting deficit narrows

Press, 9 August 1985, Page 32

Yachting deficit narrows

NZPA-AAP Cowes, Isle of Wight The crack British yacht, Jade, lost a valuable 16 places and 32 points for her team after a protest by Canterbury Export, of New Zealand, after an incident in the Admiral’s Cup. The protest was lodged after the fourth race, on a Christchurch Bay Olympic course.

Jade’s points loss puts the defending champions, West Germany, further out in

front, and narrows the gap between second-placed Britain, and third-placed New Zealand.

The skipper of the Canterbury Export, Roy Dickson, maintained that Jade bore down on Canterbury Export before the start, and one of her back stays hit two of the New Zealand crew, although neither was injured. The right of way incident was similar to that which caused Australia’s Challenge 111 to protest eventual

winner Jade in last weekend’s Channel race. That was dismissed but this time her helmsman, the dual Olympic Flying Dutchman class gold medallist, Rodney Pattisson, could not escape.

Rule infringements have cost the home side dearly, with Jade’s team-mate Panda losing 52 points in the second race.

Without these penalties the British would be ahead of the Germans, who are yet

to make an appearance before the international jury as either prosecution or defence.

Several other protests arose from the hectic fourth race, but none will affect the race.

The Australian yacht, Hitchiker 11, representing Papua New Guinea, lost 11 places after a protest by the Australian team member, Intrigue, over another tacking incident.