One-Design Entrant's Eargerly Await Announcement Of Winner
The judge's are holding their final meeting at the Yachting New Zealand offices' in Takapuna next week, to decide the
winner of the One-Design competition which is being held by Yachting New Zealand and their Keel Boat and Off-Shore
racing committee (KORC).
For some years now there has been an issue of very few competitive racing oriented keelboats built for New Zealand based
owners. The competition was launched to provide some direction and growth to the New Zealand keelboat scene by promoting
the concept of a National One-Design Keelboat Class.
KORC Committee Chairman, Brett Neill would not give away any information on the likely winner but comments, "The winning
design will meet the criteria of the design brief - that is provide a consistent racing scene, along with some cruising
interior and be suitable for offshore races to the Pacific". The competition sponsored by Safety at Sea calls for a
keelboat suitable for the one-design class - between 11.5m and 12.5m which is to have a 'kiwi' factor.
A total of ten entries were received. The panel of judges including: John Lidgard, Kim McDell, Brett Neill, Harry
Dodson, Ray Haslar, Steve Marten and Peter Walker, are very impressed by the high standard of the entries.
The winner of the Yachting New Zealand One-Design competition will be announced at a function on Thursday 23rd January
2003, at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, Westhaven. It is open to all interested parties.
I have a photo of the judges gathered around plans on a table, please let me know if you would like me to send it to
you.