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ePaper created 2014-06-11, 13:05:34 | version 1.30.01
70 1982 With the Squadron Match Race Committee members similar to the previous year, the 1982 Citizen Match Race Series encountered few organisational problems. The two issues, both minor but senseless obstacles that came before the committee were: 1. The New Zealand Yachting Federation indicated they would not allow Citizen-owned sails with advertising logos to be used for the New Zealand Trials. 2. The Squadron refused to include leaflets prepared by the Stewart Association for the raffle to raise funds for the Citizen as part of its mailing of the Citizen racing programme to its 2060 members. The reason as stated in the General Committee minutes was that they did not approve of the wording, but no alternative wording was suggested. As a result, neither Citizen nor the Stewart Association was interested in running the raffle thereafter. On the other hand, the Match Race Committee scored a major triumph in attracting Paul Elvstrom, one of the world’s most successful Olympic yachtsmen,to the series. The Citizen Match Race Series and New Zealand were delighted to have Elvstrom involved in the racing. Class Trials, which were held in November of 1981. Don Brooke on Promise, Brad Butterworth on Pionnier, and John Taylor on Paprika advanced to the New Zealand Trials. The very first New Zealand Trials were held in February of 1982. The first three place finishers, Chris Dickson, Brad Butterworth and Ron Watson won the New Zealand spots for the 1982 Citizen. On 28 March, for the firs time, all the competing boats were weighed. The hulls were cleaned and there was a final inspection by the Stewart 34 Committee. A final courtesy inspection took place on the 30th . The boats weighed within 100 pounds of each other. In the interest of more even match racing,Citizen had been persuaded to provide the fleet with a matched set of main sails,head sails and spinnakers. This worked out pretty well, but in the interest of economy, both the headsails and spinnakers were built considerably smaller than the standard No. 1, the largest sails in each category. In theory it would eliminate the need to use the owner’s No. 2 when the wind increased to over 20 knots. Economically, it work out fine, but there were a couple of drawbacks from a sailing standpoint. When the wind reach 23-25 knots, the racers ended up having to use the owner’s no. 2 headsails anyway, as the Citizen sail was too large for that wind condition and the boats became overpowered. On the other hand, in winds of less than 6 knots, the Citizen sails were too small, causing the boats to sail slowly, and from the point of view of a spectator, it was about as exciting as watching snails do a 100 meter dash. The 1982 Citizen Watch Match Race Series was held on 2 to 5 April with the following competitors in place order: Chris Dickson, NZ Sailed on Princess. Won the NZ trials at age 20. Father Roy was in his crew. First place with 7 points. Harold Cudmore, IRL Sailing on Premier. Had two seconds and one first place finish in three previous Citizens. Second place with 6 points. John Bertrand,AUS Sailed on Pionnier. Olympian and Australia’s America’s Cup helmsman. Third place on count-back with 5 points. Ron Watson, NZ Sailed on Pahi. National trials winner. Fourth place on count-back with 5 points. Iain Murray AUS Sailed on Promise. Six-time world champion on 18-foot skiffs. Fifth place on count-back with 5 points. Phil Crebbin, UK Sailed on Panacea. Skipper of Victory in the recent Admiral’s Cup and chosen to helm Britain’s America’s Cup challenger. Crebbin was one of the best starters, winning seven