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Boating NZ : FREE TO READ May 2014
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90 Boating New Zealand May 2014 In Europe, Ralph competed in Finn regattas in Belgium, Spain, Holland and Germany. He was competitive against the European Finn sailors and finished second in the Spain and Holland nationals, which caught the attention of Danish yachtsman Paul Elvstrom. “I’m working on my hired Finn and there’s a tap on my shoulder and it’s Paul saying, ‘Can I help you improve your boat?’” says Ralph. Elvstrom eventually invited Ralph to his home in Denmark as his training partner. The pair trained every day, a favourite workout being one leading the other for two miles, the leader defending, the follower attacking, then swapping positions. It was a life-changing experience for Ralph and made a huge difference to his sailing abilities. Back in New Zealand, Ralph began preparations for the 1960 Rome Olympics, his major competitor being the late Peter Mander, who recently featured in this column. Ralph knew Peter well and had the utmost respect for his sailing abilities. “You could never have him tucked away. He’d hang on there, and if you made a mistake, he’d be in like Flynn.” Ralph won the trials, with Mander second. Despite having excellent boat speed in the supplied boats, as Ralph admits, he didn’t perform to his potential in the Rome Olympics, finishing sixth. Certain things didn’t go his way, especially after he was disqualified from one race when the Irish competitor pulled up his centreboard, slid down on top of him and claimed Ralph was too close. After the hearing, the chairman of the judges, the late Sir Peter Scott, told Ralph that he didn’t think the other jury members understood the rules. Ralph remains philosophical. “The cards didn’t fall my way, but that’s yacht racing.” Continued next month. Ralph Roberts and Geoff Smale racing a Flying Dutchman, 1960. B Phone 09 299 6019 182 Great South Road, Takanini, Auckland, new Zealand www.leesgroup.com Leading Italian Technology - Riding the Wave of Innovation neF Mechanical Series (3.9 - 6.7L) 100-280hp neF electronic Series (6.0 - 6.7L) 370-570hp F1 Series (3.0L) LEES GROUP Power Solutions FIAT POWERTRAIN TECHNOLOGIES PROUD SPONSORS OF THE NEW ZEALAND COAST GUARD BOATING EDUCATION INBOARD ENGINE MAINTENANCE COURSE 330-420hp 115 - 230hp neF Sterndrive with Konrad leg (5.9-6.7L) Cursor Series (8.7 - 12.9L) 330-825hp 4000 Series (0.7 - 2.2L) 20-87hp Italian passion and design developed over Fiat’s 110 year history have produced a comprehensive range of pleasure and commercially rated marine engines ranging from 20 – 825hp. Fiat Powertrain Technologies’ (FPT) annual production of 2.9 million engines is supported by 10 international R&D centres standing behind the present engine range and offers exceptional performance and proven reliability at very competitive prices. Proudly represented in New Zealand for over 30 years by Lees Group, still NZ family owned and operated. AND 0514-49 REGULAR_Retros & Classics_May14.indd 90 17/04/2014 12:12:34 p.m.
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