EIGHTEEN-FOOT SAILING BOATS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23648, 4 November 1938, Page 5

EIGHTEEN-FOOT SAILING BOATS

AUCKLAND REGATTAS (From Oub Own CotmEsroNDEiNT) SYDNEY. Oct. 26. Messrs George Dennes and T. C. Webster, prominent sailing enthusiasts ol Auckland, have as one of their objects on a visit to Sydney the obtaining of promises from sailing authori-

ties here to send boats to New Zealand for special events. Mr Dennes is the owner of one of the four 18ft boats which competed on Sydney Harbour early this year. It is likely that four boats will represent the New South Wales 18Footers’ League in the New Zealand Championship, to be sailed in Auckland in February. Messrs Dennes and Webster attended a meeting of the club to extend official invitations to the regatta of 1939, and also the centennial carnival of 1940. Mr Bert Swinbourne, skipper of the world champion, Taree. said that unless something unforeseen

happened, Taree would be certain to make the trip next year. Although he has the right to demand that the World Championship should be sailed in Sydney, Swinbourne will probably defend the title in New Zealand. Other boats which may visit Auckland are Malvina, which is the present Australian champion, Dee Why and Ajax. Mr Dennes also attended a meeting of the Sydney Flying Squadron and issued an invitation to the club to send representatives to Auckland in 1940. He said that the Auckland Regatta Committee would also like to see the squadron represented in next year’s big race,

for which the New South Wales Sailing League was sending boats. Mr H. H. Flegg, president of the squadron, said that, although there was little chance of the club participating next year, he was hopeful that at least two boats would make the trip to compete in the 1940 events. “I certainly think we should be represented,” said Mr Flegg Mr S. King, part-owner of the 18footer Avalon, said later that he would endeavour to make the trip with his boat. Other owners are also keen to visit New Zealand, although at this stage they do not know what arrangements will be made regarding mem-

bers of theircrews. -The,' squadron type of 18-footers' carry larger crews than any other open boat, either in Australia or New Zealand, and the squadron contingent will be large if more than one owner accepts the invitation. Mr Dennes is also attempting to arrange visits to Auckland for other types of open sailing boats for special races there in 1940.