BIG YACHT RACE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21922, 17 January 1946, Page 6

BIG YACHT RACE

SYDNEY-HOBART CONTEST ANNUAL EVENT SUGGESTED SYDNEY, Jan. 8. The recent 600-milcs yacht race from Sydney to Hobart, Tasmania, is likely io become an annual event. Yachtsmen suggest the race should be subsidised by one of the Governments to make it atractive to sportsmen in other countries and give it an international flavour. Mr. Peter Luke, of Sydney, ownerskipper of the ketch Wayfarer, one ol the competitors, said the Australian Government should spend £IO,OOO a year publicising the race, which would boost Australian yachting and the tourist trade.

Owner-skipper of the winning boat Rani, Captain .J H. Illingworth, R.N., said the Australian Government should offer to pay for the transport by ship of yachts from England and other countries and arrange the passage of the crews. Captain Illingworth added that he did not think a big prize would be necessary to attract international competitors. If a regatta at Sydney, and another at Hobark were’held at the same time, the eve;' would be a tremendous success an* would attract many competitors firm overseas.

Captain Illingworth was third ip the famous British race for the Fastnet Cup in 1937. The Fastnet Cup is sailed over a course of 600 miles, from Cowes to Land's End. He said the Sydney-Hobart race was just as tough. President of the Sydney Cruising Yacht Club, Mr. Bert Walker, captain of the Saltair, fifth in this year’s race, and originator, with Mr. Luke, of the event, said: “I think a prize of at least £IOOO should be offered by the Governments of New South Wales and Tasmania for an annual race. If proper publicity is given to the event, tourist traffic worth hundreds ol thousands of pounds a year can be attracted to Australia and Tasmania. The race could be run starting at Sydney one year and Hobart the next. ’ The prize for this year’s race was a cup donated by Captain Illingworth, the winner, and a 7s Gd pennant.