WORLD CHAMPION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 43, 21 February 1939, Page 5

WORLD CHAMPION

Australian Boat Retains Title TAREE WINS FINAL RACE AUCKLAND BOAT UNLUCKY f Per Pres* Association.) AUCKLAND, Feb. 19. The leader from the moment she rounded the first buoy, Taree, 18-foot yacht champion of the world, successfully defended her title in a thrilling climax to the series of three races. The Australian boat had command of the race from the early stages, though Jeanette, sailed by the 19-year-old ‘’Jimmy” Faire, made a gallant challenge on behalf of Auckland. The final issue, however, was never really in doubt. Taree, sailed by a masterly hand, outdistanced all challengers toward the end. Jeanette finished second and Manu, another local craft, was third. Taree. after yesterday’ contest, had scored 413 points with a fourth, a second and first places in three races. This was consistency, but the Australians would be first to concede that the Auckland challenger Jeanette was extremely unlucky not to capture the world title. Unluckily beaten on the first day and disqualified on Friday after winning, she fought bravely to hold second place throughout yesterday’s race. The final points of the leading boats were: Taree 413, Manu 333, St. George 270, Jeanette 254. By her win Taree retains her title of world’s champion 18-footer, which she won last year at Sydney, and wins a trophy of the value of £lOO. She also wins the New Zealand championship and £3O, also a presentation plaque of inlaid New Zealand woods. Manu wins second prize of £l5 and St. George the third prize of £5.

TAREE DISQUALIFIED

LAST-MINUTE SENSATION CHAMPIONSHIP TO MANU I Per Pres* Association.] AUCKLAND, Feb. 19. ! A sensation was caused in yachting circles by the announcement late to- ! night, as a result of consideration of j protests relating to the third race in 1 the series for the world's 18-footer sailing championship on Saturday afternoon, that the winner Taree (Sydney) has been disqualified. The championship and the trophy go to Manu (Auckland), winner of the first race, fifth in the second race and third in the lasst race. The protest on which Taree was disqualified was entered by the Auckland boat Limerick, which alleged that Taree committed a breach of the rule requiring a boat on the port tack to give way to a boat on the starboard tack. The alleged incident occurred at the start of the last race. A committee appointed by the Sailing Committee, which composed both Australian and New Zealand officials, spent most of the day considering this and other protests relating to the second race. All of the latter, however, were dismissed, and the contest, was decided on points, which were finally as follow:—Manu (Auckland) 397. Jeanette (Auckland) 382, St. George (Sydney) 317. B. Swinbourne, skipper of Taree. has the right to appeal to the Yachting Racing Association of Britain against the disqualification but no decision has yet been reached.