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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1983-04-27, Page 491f 14, ii 1135 v 11R -17 GODEItf t?H S.1CiNAL ATAR, WED DAY, APR14 27,1983 ND SECTION in.eiica's Cup is sail As -far as Paul Parsons is concerned the exhilaration of sailing for one's country far outweigh the sacrifices required. Parsons, 26, spent many summers as a sailing instructor in Goderich but will now ply the turbulent waters of the Atlantic Ocean off Newport , Rhode Island as part of the Canadian crew challenging for the famed America's Cup yacht race. The son of George Parsons of Bayfield and Pauline of Goderich, Paul is well- known in local sailing circles and is a former commodore of the Goderich Sailing Club. Now, he will test his sailing knowledge on the international scene with the 24 -member Canadian crew. Canada is mounting a legitimate challenge in this year's America's Cup ' yacht race and for Parsons, the op- portunity to sail with the crew of Canada I, the specially built . 12 -metre boat, represents the fulfillment of a dream for a Lake Huron sailor. "It is an experience of a lifetime," Parsons said trying to conceal his en- thusiasm. "This is right at the top of sailing." Parson's foray into the Canadian ex- pedition occured innocently enough while the International Boat Show was being held in Toronto. His name was introduced to the principles of the Canadian effort and later skipper Terry McLaughlin phoned him for an interview in Toronto. "There was mention that they needed an assistant sailmaker, a job for which I have experience, but I didn't want to go (to Florida) for that type of work," he said. "I was surprised when Terry asked me to crew and said there was a chance to make the 12 -man A team aboard Canada I.'^ It was only that small glimmer of hope of making the A team that enticed Parsons to accept the challen of sailing ng against the prospect of a lucrative full-time job,.in London. As far as he was concerned, the decision was no contest. He left for training in Florida in mid- February, halfway through the training schedule. For $100 a week and room and board, the two crewsggo through a daily regimen of more than 12 hours, leaving • time for little else. While the rigorous schedule make physical demands of the crews, it its the psychological demands of daily training that prey on the crew. "You have to build your psyche up - everyday and you must be serious about the job," he said. "It's a team effort with all 24 guys but there is competition because we are traded in and out between the two teams. The competition is healthy 'and needed." Paul has been slotted as tactician aboard Clipper, the second Canadian ship and he concedes his chances of making the A team are slim. But that slim chance and the experijence of international sailing were too alluring. The price of participating in the classic international yacht race is steep. Land and sea training takes 12 hours out of each day and little time is left for personal en- joyment. It is a labour of love. "You live, eat and sleep sailing," Paul said of the demanding training schedule in Miami. "You have to have fun at or it can get you down." The crew trained in Miami before being granted a two-week vacation prior. The crew will report to Newport by May l for intensive training prior to the elimination races. The round robin series begins June 18 with five countries, England, Australia, France, Italy and Canada, competing. The B series of the elimination round begins July 2 and C series is scheduled for July 20 to August 6. At the end of the C series, three boats will be eliminated and enter the four -boat D series beginning August 24. The two winners of the D series will race a best -of - seven series to determine the entry in the September 13 America's Cup Yaccht Race. After the race, the team will disband but for now, the crew has its sights on lofty goals, namely to reach and win the America's Cup. But, up to now, par- ticipation. has been a dream come true for Paul. "I, hay.,e already missed a lot of , the 'ladling but it's been a great euperience, he said. "I can't get over the amount of talent, knowledge and technical advice that has been brought together." While the crew works diligently in its effort to wrestle the America's .Cup from the Americans for the first time, the team is also in need of financial assistance. A money raising campaign, soliciting tax- deductible contributions is in .progress. Contributions are being accepted in care of Clarkson Gordon, Box 251, Royal Trust Tower, TD Centre, Toronto. Canada I and one of the crews sailing in Toronto harbor. on Saturday; ,course begins at Sun- Ieglstratlon takes rom;tR1:` .11a, e • Procee , donated to the Canadian 'Cancer Society and pledge ,sheets can be pleked up at all banks, Victoria and Gre3, Trust, the Credit Union, Uhy's, A,. & P, Mac's Milk, Becker's, • Woolworth's, Kirkey's Texacoand The Met; +++ Hnlny Gully's. C.M.A. Sanctioned Motocross season opener will be held on_ Sunday, May 1. The day's events . will feature all'elasses from School Boys right through to the mighty Experts. Riders from across south western Ontario will be on hand competing for trophies and cash prizes of up to 32,000. Race action begins at 10 a.m. and finals beginning at 3 p.m. • a due 4of?,r Goderich" n3 now.. or your organitlp nament or any asked to con alfted. i1n: fat 0.00 - al toui-al event, you are beforel?i4dayCinS at ft24°2 ;i Volunteer coaches for r hardball, soccer, rsoftball,ai T ball are still needed. If you . are interestedcontact the Goderich • Recreation Department i �e +•- l; g-ar hty -old Mark Anderson, son of. • R.C,M F. Staff Sergeant Jerry Anderson' and Rose Anderson formerly of Goderich, attended a professional; Hockey school for goalies last summer. This past season he played ;goal torthe Heritage Victoria Club in Winnipeg and the team competed in the Golden Boy Tournament which they won, Mark and his teammates were the, proud recipients of gold medals which were presented by a member of the Winnipeg Jets.. • Slo-pitch ready to go BY BRUCE. BAKER Better dig that glove out of the cupboard, wash your uniform, and find' your shoes .• because all is set and ready to go on Sunday, May 1. This year the Goderich Men's Slowpitch League has expanded to 19 teams. During the next 20 weeks': we willsee:. old rivals battle it out on the diamonds as well as new rivalries develop. New teams this year include Canadian Tire, The Raiders, Goderich Auto Sales and Sifto Salt Mines. Teams no longer in existence are the Oldtimers and Champion Office. , The new Canadian Tire team consists of four ex Garb and Gear players, a couple of Cobras and several players new .to 'slowpitch. Sifto Salt Mines, started up by Barry Purser, contains many familiar faces from around the league. Greg Montgomery's Raider team features several of the old Wheelsmen players from years -;past while „ the Goderich Auto Sales appears to be the old Firemen team with few additons. . Our league welcomes these four new' teams and wish them the best of luck in the forthcoming season. We have several .other teams that .have undergone a• vhangs of„ sponsorship The �;: "w under the name h G ' , def es CobraS now carry the name. "Little. Bowl" and .they. former Goderich-Restaurant team are now under the sponsorship of 'Goderich Chrysler. Fillingout therest of our league are the following teams: Local 1863, Meneset, Carlow, Coyotes, Garb&Gear, Port Albert Bulldogs, Bears, Renegades, Cedar Lodge, Goderich • Elevators Tickers and Bluewater. This .year's slowpitch executive consists.. 'of President Tim. Frawley, Past President Dave Cloet, Treasurer, Ron Stewart, Urnpire in Chief Gary Nicholson, :Social Director Eddie Brunk and Scheduling Chairman Bruce Baker. The executive would like to thank all team: reps fortheir co-operation during the pre -season organizational period. Special thanks are extended to the Signal -Star Publishing Co., not only for the fine coverage we will see iii' the .coming,, weeks but also for the use of their ball' diamond. Many people do not realize how. desperately we need and appreciate the useof this diamond:::. Last but, not least we must thank the: Recreation Board, in particular ,;Jane Netzke, Marilyn Aubin and Vicki King' for, their assistance in providing facilities for our use. This year, the GMSL has adopted a new play format in an effort to"provide more competitive ball at a particular teams level of play. • From May 1 until July 16 we have our . interlocking play schedule in which all 19 teams play every other team once. While some may argue that there will be blow outs, this is still an extremely important part of our season. We are "one" league of 400 men and as such, we should meet everyone on the diamond. If „we'. only t• played some ofthe teams, Vit ens we•might 01st a6 well be.a 1.! differ t ., . . one aspect of our pia' ti protected • Once: the interlocking; schedule has been `.: completed, we will' split into . ,three. divisions. A, B and C based solely on point standings. Playoffs will then begin, but not in the usual elimination form. Each of our. three divisions will piay a double round robin schedule within their own division. All teams are in the play-offs until mid September. All teams have 10 -12 play-off games in addition to their 18 regular Turn to page 2A • New league allows mento play hockey all year Seven teams compete in strenuous sport Everyone knows that most Canadian men love hockey. The love affair usually starts early when as boys they don their favorite team's sweater (20 years ago it was always either the Canadiens or Leafs) and head for the nearest rink to play a game of pick-up hockey. Even in the summer boys continue to play the game. They play it in parking lots, in school yards and in the street. , But boys are not the only ones who enjoy participating in the sport. During the winter Recreational leagues are common in most towns as well as Old Timers leagues. And now in the summer men in Goderich can also play the game. Founded one year ago by Ron Sowerby and Kevin Meriam both of Goderich, the Goderich Recreational Ball Hockey League affords men the opportunity to play the game during May, June and July. Sowerby says he and Meriam organized the league, "because we knew there was an interest. We place an ad in the paper and the response was really. good." Last year five teams competed and this year two more have joined the league. When organizing the league this year each of the five teams from last year were allowed to protect 15 players, the two new teams were assigned 15 players and the rest were drafted. The seven teams, the Rebels, the Knights, United, Brewers, the Rink Rats, Auburn and Sherwood Express, are comprised of 20-25 men 16 year and older. Sowerby says the oldest player is 35 but the average age is 22. When watching the game one un- derstands why most of the players are young. Each player is continually running up and down the rink and Sowerby says, "every step you take is an effort since you don't have skates to glide on." Sowerby adds, "in the summer months when it's hot outside the game becomes even more stenuous." When describing the game Sowerby says, "the rules are basically the same as ice hockey with the exception of an offside rule. This differs in that an opposing player can come over the blue line with the ball, shoot it back over the line to a teammate, who is then allowed to shoot from outside the line without being penalized." Unlike ice hockey the equipment each player wears may vary but Sowerby says most players wear running shoes and sweat pants. Elbow pads and knee pads, are optional (although no one uses them) while helmets are compulsory. Now that the league is into its second year organizers have scheduled a tour- nament in Goderich on June 17, 18 and 19. So far, five of the Goderich teams are entered as well as teams from Kincardine, Listowel, Port Llgin and Stratford. Sowerby says a total of 16 teams will compete for a first prize of $425 as well as individual trophies. Some of the Goderich teams may also compete In tournaments which are being hosted by other towns. The Rink Rats may travel to Seaforth to take part in Sport- sfest. Last year when they competed in the event's ball hockey tournament they made it to the "A" finals but were defeated by Port Elgin. The new executive of the league which includes, Sowerby, president; Terry Kisch, vice-president; Paul Kelly, secretary; Kevin Meriam, treasurer; as well as one representative of each team, also hope to hold a banquet for all of the players at the end of the season. Over 140 men are now taking part in the goderich BeCreational Bali Hockey League which was formed one year ago.