Boat Racing
Sep. 09, 1966 - Australia's Newest America's cup challenge contender is Dismasted. Australia's newest America's Cup challenge contender is the Dame Pattie, named after the wife of the former Prime Minister, Sir Robert Mengies. The Dame Pattie will undergo trials with the other Australian contender Gritel to decide which yacht will represent Australia in the America's Cup. In her first sea trials on Wednesday (Sept 7), the Dame Pattie was dismasted. The 92ft. most broke about 28ft. from its base when the port er tree broke. The yacht was towed to her berth wit the most dragging behind. With the designer, Warwick Head, a 33 year old Naval architect, at the helm. the yacht was tacking into a 10 knot north east wind when the cross tree broke. The Mast was of a new design.Photo shows The Dame Pattie pictured during trials in Sydney Harbour on Wednesday
