Tallinn regatta entry sought by N.Z.

Press, 24 April 1979, Page 44

Tallinn regatta entry sought by N.Z.

PA Auckland The International Yacht Racing Union has been asked to pursue an invitation for New Zealand to compete in the Baltic Sea regatta at Tallinn (Soviet Estonia) in August. The regatta is viewed as a pre-Olympics event and participation a must for any country with its sights on sailing medals at the 1980 Olympic Games. The New Zealand Yachting Federation Council decided at the week-end to exhaust all existing channels in seeking an invitation before considering more drastic measures — the federation’s president, Mr Harry Julian, has stated his view that the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) may again have to intervene on New Zealand’s behalf.

The N.Z.Y.F. secretary, Mr Martin Foster, has asked the I.Y.R.U. secretary general, Mr Nigel Hacking (Britain), to have the subject debated by the union’s executive in Berlin this week. The New Zealand Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association is also being asked to help. Mr Foster, a member of I.Y.R.U. permanent committee, said yesterday: “I believe the I.Y.R.U. will be very concerned that such an important yachting nation as New Zealand has so far been excluded from the regatta. That body is very much aware of our dilemma in this issue and, I’m sure, will do everything it can to assist. “But we must remember that we struck the same problem last year and ultimately received an invitation to go to Tallinn. We must continue to use diplomacy and existing channels and not appear to be attempting to bring pressure to bear. If this approach fails, then there are several other avenues open to us.” Mr Foster would not be drawn into what those avenues might be. But there is a strong belief in Europe I that the Olympic sailing I events should be removed from Russia if politics be!come involved.