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ePaper created 2014-06-11, 13:05:34 | version 1.30.01
72 event to be the top shelf of New Zealand Yachting. The 1983 Stewart Match Racing Trials were held on 13th & 14th November 1982 to select 3 top Stewart helmsmen who would then race against invited skippers in the New Zealand Trials on 19 and 20 February 1983. 1983 The 1983 Citizen Watch Match Race Series, again under Jack Alison’s Chairmanship, was generally accepted as being the highest quality event to that date. The New Zealand Trials produced Brad Butterworth,Tom Dodson and Tim Snedden to represent New Zealand. In a lead-up to the 1983 Citizen, Sea Spray, in their April issue commented “the Citizen Watch Match Racing Series (is) especially interesting in that they are strong indicators of a current trend in New Zealand and, to a lesser degree, throughout the world. That trend is towards boat-for-boat competition (match racing in strictly controlled one-design yachts of moderate size.) The rise in international standing as well as local popularity of the Citizen Championship is a tribute to the sponsors, the R.N.Z.Y.S who organise the event every year, to the skippers who represent New Zealand and not least to Bob Stewart, who designed the yacht used. It’s intriguing that owners are now commissioning new Stewart 34s with the express aim of having their boat selected for Chris Dickson, Paul Elvstrom, Harold Cudmore or someone of that talent, to sail the Citizen series. Most other local designs of comparable size and age are now considered to be well past their competitive best.” Competitors in the 1983 Citizen Watch Match Race Series in place order were: Rod Davis, USA Sailed on Premier. Coordinator for the Courageous-Defender America’s Cup syndicate. Finished ninth place the previous year, but upped his game significantly and won 8 out of his 9 races. First place with 8 points. John Bertrand,AUS Sailed on Psyche II. He would helm Australia II later that year in Newport, Rhode Island, U.S.A., winning the America’s Cup for Australia. Second place with 7 points. Brad Butterworth, NZ* Sailed on Progress. Raised his game from 9th place the previous year. Third place with 6 points. John Savage,AUS Sailed on Promise. Helmsman for Challenge, an Australian challenger in the 1983 America’s Cup. 1983/83 Australian Etchells champion. Fourth place with 5 points. Harold Cudmore, IRL Sailed on Pahi. Podium finisher in the Citizen for past four years. Was involved with the British America’s Cup Challenger Victory ’83. Fifth place with 5 points. Tim Snedden, NZ* Sailed on Patrician. Winner of the NZ Trials. Sixth place with 4 points. Tom Dodson, NZ Sailed on Pionnier. National Soling champion. Seventh place with 4 points. Chris Dickson, NZ Sailed on Paprika. Defending champion. Eighth place with 3 points. Scott Perry, USA Sailed on Phlyer. America’s Cup tactician. Ninth place on count-back with 3 points. Iain Murray,AUS Sailed on Princess. Involved in the Advance challenge syndicate for the 1983 America’s Cup. Tenth place with 0 points. *Stewart 34 owner or skipper. “The R.N.Z.Y.S attracted the most talented field of helmsman yet for the fifth international match racing series and Davis won at his third attempt after last year finishing ninth out of ten ... The series was again sailed in Stewart 34s, although Citizen had provided ... a smaller headsail which gave organisers slightly more leeway by allowing yachts to compete in winds up to 25 knots ... While waiting for his final start, Savage’s boat was caught by a gust off North Head which pulled the boom from the mast. The boat was un-sailable and Savage asked the race committee for a re-sail the following day to allow time to make repairs. The