Hectic time for yachties

Press, 26 December 1985, Page 24

Hectic time for yachties

By

BRYCE SIMS

A busy time lies ahead for yachtsmen in Canterbury over the ChristmasNew Year period, with five national events being contested on Lyttelton harbour, and the Estuary.

The first event to be raced is the Farr 6000, .being contested over a sixrace series, from December 27 to 29 at Lyttelton, and will be followed by the Farr 7.5 m championships. The Zephyr nationals are next, and are being raced on the Estuary, from January 4 to 10. A fleet of 30 yachts from throughout New Zealand will contest the Noelex 22 nationals at Lyttelton, from January 6 to 10.

The last of the titles to be raced for is the Mahan Marine 470 nationals, and world selection trials from January 11 to 16, being hosted by the Canterbury 470 fleet.

Canterbury success seems likely in the Farr 6000. The Canterbury title holder, Bob Auton, in Izzy, appears to be the favourite on his own waters, having dominated the Canterbury scene this season, and it would be an upset if he does not win the series.

His closest rival, Trevor Shapland, in Bloodshot, should perform well, winning the 6000 national title six years ago, and has three other national trailer yacht titles to his credit.

However, Shapland has had bad luck, his yacht being vandalised earlier in the month, just before the Canterbury championships,

but said his boat should be ready in time. Other skippers who could provide strong competition for Auton, are Dave Johnson, in Blown Glass, Arthur Eastmond, in Uplift, and Blue Movie, with Robbie McGregor at the helm. The Noelex 22 nationals are expected to be hard fought, with the reigning champion, Ross Currie, in Pure Magic, coming down from Tauranga to defend his title for the second time.

Five former champions have entered the event: the Christchurch skipper, Graham Parratt, in Poly Stripper; the Canterbury titleholder, and former champion, Rod McCullock, from Gisborne, in Red Pepper, Eric Johnstone, from Timaru, in Murihiku, and Alister MacFarlane, in Knight’s Pursuit, a former Finn champion, also of Timaru.

The 470 Olympic class championships has attracted a high class field, with half the entries from the North Island.

Jon Bilger, who won the world youth contest in Europe, and Terry Nicholas, who recently competed in the world open championships in Italy, will be the North Island favourites for the event. Both are from Auckland. The South Island is well represented by Simon Mander, and Mark Milburn, who have been in good form on the water this season.

Last year’s winners of the women’s division at the Nationals, Leslie and Jenny Egnot, will be out to retain their title.