Close sailing expected

Press, 25 January 1988, Page 22

Close sailing expected

By

BRYCE SIMS

Stiff competition Is expected when three of Canterbury’s top P-class skippers clash in the weeklong Graham Mander Trophy sailing, to start on the Estuary today. The Canterbury Yacht and Motor Boat Club helmsmen, Allster Rowlands, Matthew Stechman, and Neil Briggs, who will be sailing under the Charteris Bay Yacht Club insignia, will all be keen to win one of Canterbury’s most prestigious trophies. Stechman, who has made big inroads into P-class yachting in Canterbury in

his first season will be aiming to continue his run of successes. He finished fourth In the Tanner Cup, and fifteenth in the Tauranga Cup fleet of 136 boats.

His fourth in the Tanner Cup was the best performance by a Canterbury skipper for several seasons.

He caused a sensation in the Canterbury Tanner Cup trials early in the season when he beat the favoured Briggs and Rowlands with consistent sailing in variable conditions.

sailing in erratic winds, which could be to his advantage on the Estuary. He will be looking for improvement on his racing in the event last year, when

he won the last race but finished second to Griff Simpson, who has since moved up to the Starling

class. Briggs, a well-equipped all-weather skipper, is back to bis best form after a thirteenth placing in the Tauranga Cup. He also picked up a win

Rowlands will be looking and a second place in the to make amends after finish- Estuary Pennants, and won ing eighth in the Tanner the secondary schools reCup. His strength Jies in gatta earlier in the season.