NEW RULES PROPOSED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27580, 23 December 1950, Page 9

NEW RULES PROPOSED

Sports Commentary

SANDERS CUP YACHT DESIGNS

By the Sports Editor

Otago yachtsmen will watch with considerable interest the fate pf proposals about rig design to be put before the next Sanders Cup contest conference at Lyttelton, in January, comments the yachting writer of the Daily Times. The proposals, from a sub-committee of the Wellington Provincial Yacht and Motor Boat Association, are for a relaxation of the present rules which restrict rig and sail plans to set specifications for all contestants. The proposed rules will govern only the height of the rig and area of the working sails. The rule governing the height of the rig will allow a break from the cld fashioned gaff-headed rig which has been retained under the present rules since 1923.

The obvious result of the change—a Marconi mast—will bring the sail plan of these boats into line with the modern and fast hulls which have been evolved within the last 10 years. Another obvious result would be an improvement in performance. The present rules call for a spinnaker of set, shape and size to be carried on all yachts. The new rig restrictions would allow all designers to carry out their ideas to the full. They would not be cramped as they are today. Other proposals will include the introduction of a wooden dagger plate as an alternative to the steel king-bolt type. A new constitution, claimed to provide for a more stable system in the control of the contests, will also be presented. The English national 14ft class as it was known in 1920, then faced the problem of whether a change in sail design was desirable when an improvement in hull designs was made by Affa Fox. As these hull designs improved, the Marconi rig became adopted, and full justice was done the faster hulls. There was a rapid increase in the number of the class, and it was eventually given international status.

New Zealand’s own Idlealongs have proved that the introduction of a Marconi mast in place of the gunter rig made the class more popular as well as producing a

taster and more easily handled

boat because of fewer spars,

An argument against the proposal might be that the cost of refitting a yacht might be too expensive for some skippers. The counter is that the cost of a refit would be lower than that of a new hull every second season —the present situation in most ports. In Otago, a new sail rig might put new speed into some of the old faithfuls of the harbour.

Many yachtsmen also consider that if skippers want one-design racing, they can find little better competition than that which exists in the Idlealong class. Tlfe leading yachting countries of the world —Great Britain, the United States, Australia and Canada—all decide their national 14-foot class championships, and the international championships, in restricted class boats with ’considerable differences in individual hulls and rigs. New Zealand needs a worthwhile reason for not following this lead. A rapid advance in rig is being made in Australia at the present time. The long gaffs, booms, and bowsprits, once characteristic of the Australian skiff types are- fast being replaced by the tall Marconi rigs. Pitcher In Form

W. Hill, the ex-Otago representative Eitcher, who filled that role for the ogan Park softball team last Saturday, appears to have lost little of his ability although he has been out of the game since last season. Since the departure for the north of G. Verrall, Park has had difficulty in filling the pitching position. Hill's return will be of considerable value to Logan Park. Incidentally, Verrall will take part in the national tournament in Dunedin next month as he has been selected in the Auckland representa 1 - five team.

plays against the experienced Waterman. He is giving every indication of being; a star on the Belie Vue track in Britain next season. Bob McFarlane, who is attached to the Tahuna track this season, is at present recuperating in Auckland following two weeks in the Hastings Hospital. While competing on the track there several weeks ago McFarlane injured his leg. It is expected that he will be seen in action on the Tahuna Stadium in about two weeks’ time.

Prospects For High Ranking On Speedway

If technical skill, courage and » good head for tactics are the makings of great speedway riders, New Zealand has two wonderful prospects for this status in Dunedin’s Ron Johnston and Christchurch's Ronnie Moore, writes our speedway correspondent. Of the two Johnston is the more polished rider and with machines of equal speed he might have a slight edge over his 17-year-old opponent for the honours.

Moore's improvement was astounding on Wednesday night, when his form was compared with former exhibitions given at the Tahuna Stadium. He rides with a high arm action on the throttle and tackles everything on the track with tenacious resolution. This was aptly demonstrated when he competed in a race against “ Split ’ Waterman, captain of the Harringay first division team in England and a finalist in. the world speedway championship. in a pairs championship race on Wednesday. Waterman got away to a slight lead, but Moore clung to his rear wheel throughout the four laps and was beaten by a small margin at the finish. The large crowd showed its appreciation of the pair’s brilliant riding, # and especially Moore’s tenacious exhibition, by prolonged applause. ' Praise is due to Waterman, too. He flew to Dunedin on Wednesday and discovered that his machine was still in Wellington. It was brought across by ferrv, and, largely through the good work o’f Trevor Redmond, was flown to Dunedin in pieces. Waterman had to work fast to assemble it at the last moment. . . Johnston gave one of his finest exhibitions on the dry track on Wednesday. when he broke the four-lap record. His style is the most relaxed seen on the Dunedin track, and with a superior machine he would provide opposition for the best in the world. This statement is not an ambitious one, because it was borne out by his dis-

Third Croquet Test At Dunedin

One of the main holiday fixtures in Dunedin will be the Third Croquet Test between England and New Zealand, which will commence on January 3 on the Watea green. It is expected to last three days, and should be full of interest as New Zealand won the first test, and although the final figures for the second test are not to hand, the New Zealanders were holding their own. There was an attendance of 400 on the first day in Wellington, and it is hoped Dunedin will show its interest in the same way.

Both teams will arrive on December 28, and will use various club lawns for practice until the test be"gins. The youngest member of the English team is J. Solomon, who is only 19, while the New Zealand team has two members in their early 20’s, Miss Margaret Claughton and Ashley Heenan. Both these players have recently returned from England, where they met with various successes. All members of the teams are noted for fine break games, and there should be some spectacular play. The draw for the first day’s play will be announced later.

STARTER’S DISGUISE

No one would have recognised the usually spick and span starter of the Otago' Amateur Athletic Centre when he started the 18-mile Road Race at the Caledonian Ground last Saturday. Mr H. J. C. McKenzie, complete with rainproof coat and leggings, dashed out from the shelter of the grandstand to send the two competitors on their way whilst rain and hail lashed down on "the trio.

Mornington Softball Win

Last year’s South Island softball representative, Ivan Joss, who has been out of Dunedin for several weeks, signalled his return to Mornington last Saturday by pitching his team to its first victory since he departed. There is every possibility of Joss joining the Otago team which will contest the New Zealand ' provincial championships. The inclusion of this versatile player would add considerable strength to the Otago line-up. '

Ex-All Black In Form

According to Surgeon-captain L. B. Osborne, R.N.. manager of the British Isles Rugby team last winter, in a letter to a New Zealand friend, lan Botting. the former All Black and English international, has been playing very well for Oxford University on the wing. Since returning to England, Captain Osborne, again chairman of England's Selection Committee, has had to travel far and wide twice a week, watching matches. Recalling the recent tour, Captain Osborne said he could never say anything against New Zealand or New Zealand football.