By JO-MARIE BROWN
Having spent decades sailing on Lake Taupo, 81-year-old Boyd Marshall yesterday found himself racing against a young whippersnapper named Dean Barker.
The sailing veteran, decked out in his checked shirt and worn green cap, took the helm of a miniature black boat to race against the America's Cup
hero as Team New Zealand's on-the-road regatta series came to town.
"These guys are hot.
"They're probably the world's best so you wouldn't expect to hold your own with them," Marshall said.
"But as long as I make a reasonable showing and enjoy it that's what it's all about."
Barker and his crew of Chris Salthouse and Erle Williams were extremely impressed by the old sailor's efforts but Team NZ's professionalism and power saw them breeze home 3-0.
Three local teams, including one led by Marshall, pitted their skills against the Team NZ trio in 9.2m Etchell keelboats which initially had the 81-year-old a bit stumped.
"There's about a million ropes and things.
"They're much more technical than the boats I'm used to sailing," he said.
Barker said the Etchells, which were being transported around the country for the regional regattas against local sailing clubs, had been simplified as much as possible.
"We've tried to make it as easy as we can for someone to jump in and learn to sail it in one hour. It's the best we can do."
Marshall, who had been sailing yachts since the 1960s, has competed against the likes of Chris Dickson and Russell Coutts before but relished yesterday's chance to observe our Team NZ stars.
"I'm very fortunate to get the opportunity. Anyone would give their right eye to do this."
The regional regattas, which have so far been held in Tauranga, Rotorua and Taupo, will move to the Bay of Islands and Whangarei next weekend.
