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R Class 50th Reunion Dinner Commentary - Tony Shields

by rclass — last modified 2021-11-01T14:03:59+13:00
Well nothing changes - its been 25 years since I last sailed R Class and 22 years since I left Christchurch to live in the winterless north, I walked into the 50th Leander Trophy Reunion night at the Cooperage and it was like going back in time, same faces from the years gone by, most were recognizable, some were not, some were greyer, some were shorter, but they were still doing what they did in their active R Class sailing days, - standing their with a beer or rum in hand reliving the stories of yesterday, some of which may have been a little exaggerated with the passing of time - who cares!

 

What a wonderful night just about everyone was there, I could only think of about half a dozen I would have expected to be there, it made me feel proud to have been part of the R Class movement, which has survived for 50 years in spite of many newer classes, Olympic Classes and all with no help from Yachting New Zealand, in in the eyes of YNZ the R Class probably does not exist.

At the Leander Trophy prize giving and after race functions it is the same today as it used to be, completely informal, the Navel rep there as usual. I liked the idea of a trophy given for the most inovative piece of equipment or boat, that is what the class is all about. Looking over the names of past Leander Trophy winners there are many great names there, but one family must stand out and that is Paul MacIntosh 9 wins as skipper & Steve MacIntosh 7 wins as forward hand a great achievement, well done both of you.

Two things stand out in my memory and that is at the 1971 Leander at Point Chevalier, Bruce Farr then a top 12 foot skiff sailor and 18 footer skipper sailed the Knightly brothers R (a good one) for the contest, he finished 5th or 6th, his words after that contest were "I thought the R Class yachties were a bunch of Sunday pisshead sailors, I have now changed my mind as I now realise they are bunch of very good sailors with many innovative ideas" a good comment from a well known yachtie and designer.
(Incidentally the boat Bruce Farr sailed was Mislead, crewed by G. Knightly and they won the invitation race - Ed.)

Finally my most memorable Leander Trophy was at New Plymouth, in one race it was really blowing, offshore and straight off the mountain. 38 boats left the beach, 16 crossed the start line, 2 boats finished, we were 2nd! of course Bill Hayman was 1st. With those few words, keep up the good work, I know I won't be around for the 75th reunion, which I believe will happen providing those running the class keep to basics.

 

 

The Poem

Twelve foot nine and built of clag,
These little tubs with heaps of rag,
Venture forth on race day,
Each skipper sure to have his way.

Bigheads all, pile aboard machine,
The wind is hard and all is keen,
To be first to reach the top,
Each still wondering if he'll flop.

Up with the big one, bigheads all,
It's fun to watch them as they fall,
With broken mast and twisted rudder,
Careering into one another.

Voices high and fist raised,
While crew screams nothing but gentle praise,
For crazed skipper, tiller in hand,
Not caring if he'll ever see land.

Down wind ,down wind, faster boat,
Don't crack up, just stay afloat,
Across the finish line to steer,
And then to drown himself in beer.

 

 

Tony sailed Radiant in the mid-late 60's mainly with Brian Taylor. They won the Kent Prior (Invitation race) Trophy in 1964. Were runners up in 1967 winning both the the Bank of NSW Trophy and the Leander Cup. Tony also won the Handicap Trophy (Leander Cup) in 1965 sailing with B.R. Marriot.

 

27 February 2000

by Tony Shields (Life Member Canterbury R Class Squadron)