1.
GV Yachts in harbour
0.13

2.
SCU Mr. Booth, Sydney yachtsman
0.16

3.
CU Diver preparing yacht
0.21

4.
CU Zoom Out Boy looking at yacht
0.29

5.
CU Crown Prince Harald on boat
0.34

6.
Yachts prepare for race
0.42

7.
SCU Baragoola
0.45

8.
CU Skagerack
0.46

9.
GV Southern Cross IV
0.53

10.
GV Yachts start race
1.00

11.
GV Antares puts up spinnaker
1.04

12.
GVs Southern Cross and John B and Skagerack (3)
1.20

13.
GV Race in progress
1.26



Initials SC/2218 SC/2238



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Sydney yachtsman Norman Booth won the world 5.5 metre yacht championship when he came first in the sixth and last heat in Australia on Thursday (January 17).

Crown Prince Harald of Norway was second in the last heat of the series.

The f???at was to have been held again because Mick Morris, skipper of Antare??? ???plained that the rac???committee had wrongly positioned a marker buoy on the Olympic course, but the rerun was cancelled because of strong winds and seas.

The sixth heat produced a stirring finish. Crown Prince Harald led 57-year-old Booth around the first three markers, but Booth sailing Southern Cross IV, picked up as the wind fresh???ned and passed the Prince in his yacht Skagerack.

Bobby Symonette of the Bahamas in John B ??? passed Skagerack on the outward run but Crown Prince Harald came home better. Skagerack overtook John B to regain second place but could not catch Southern Cross IV.

Booth has twice been runner-up for Olympic selection in the 5.5 class and twice runner-up in the world championship.

He achieved victory by winning three heats, coming second in two and fifth in the remaining contest.

SYNOPSIS: Some of the faste??? small yachts in the world were gathered in Sydney harbour on Wednesday for the sixth and last heat of the five-point-five metres yacht championships.

Sydney yachtsman Norman Booth, who won three of the first five heats, had final preparations made to his boat Southern Cross the Fourth. He had been runner-up twice before and was particularly anxious to win.

Crown Prince Harald of Norway sailing Skagerack was well placed for the last heat. Among the boats setting out for the starting line was another Australian much in contention - Russell Slade in Baragool.

Skagerack and Southern Cross took positions close to one another. They got away first time. Antares skippered by Australian Mick Morris was the first yacht to get up the extra spinnaker sail, but Crown Prince Harald in Skagerack took the lead.

Southern Cross the Fourth and John B owned by Bobby Symonette of the Bahamas soon overhauled Crown Prince Harald. Skagerack regained second position from John B on the homeward run but never caught Southern Cross -- so Sydney yachtsman Norman Booth won his five point five metre world championship for the first time.