Top Finn Men In N.Z. Race

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30976, 4 February 1966, Page 15

Top Finn Men In N.Z. Race

"The Press” Special Service

AUCKLAND.

Several of New Zealand’s finest small boat yachtsmen have entered the national Finn class championships, which will be sailed at Charteris Bay from February 12 to 19.

They include the Olympic representatives, R. H. Roberts and B. G. de Thier, the runner-up last year, P. H. Letcher, and the new South Island champion, J. G. Farmer, of Rotorua. Other top men are T. J. Speed and B. Treleaven, both finalists in the 1964 Olympic trials, G. Gibbs, who is a former R class champion, C. A. Roberts, fresh from his recent win in the national OK dinghy championships, and D. H. Schmidt, a prominent man in heavy weather. C. A. Roberts and Farmer are both in fine form at present. but R. H. Roberts may be the contest favourite. Tenth Entry

A. Ballintine, a former Christchurch skipper who now comes to Auckland each week-end from Hamilton, is again an entry. He has contested every national Finn

contest since the class was introduced in 1956. Notable absentees are P. G. Mander, who has retired, and the title-holder, N. R. Everett, who is not contesting big events this summer. The 45 entrants are:— Auckland.— T. J. Speed, D. H. Schmidt, R. H. Roberts. C. A. Roberts, P. H. Letcher, B. R. Watson, B. L. Morley, J. W. Jenkin. Christchurch. —D. Bryson, C. G. Banks, D. Borrell, B. G. de Thier, A. B. Mackenzie, J. F. Morgans, J. R. Milligan, B. E. Treleaven, G. Sparrow J. S. Wearn, P. F. Pritchett, B. Harvey, M. D Sinclair, D. Eastmond, E. S. Tillman, R. Dudly. Hamilton.— A. Ballintine. Tauranga.— R. Bailey, J. M. Williams. N. J. Washington. Rotorua: J G. Farmer. Gisborne.— R. McCulloch, N. Millar. Wellington.— V. Chubb, G. W. Gibbs, F. de Vries. P. Beck, B. Johns. Nelson:—M. Pope, A. Gardner, R. W Talbot. D. B. Kelly, W. H. Freestone, G. J. Watt, L. K. Hope, J. G. Preston. Otago.—W. G. Ferris.