YACHTING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 296, 27 September 1935, Page 2

YACHTING.

BRITANNIA RETIRES.

KING GIVES UP YACHT RACING.

Britannia, best-loyed of all British yachts, will never race again. She is to go into retirement while her honours are still thick upon her. And the King, her owner, will never race another yacht. The King has been offered a new yacht to replace the veteran in which he has sailed for 40 years. But he said: “I do not want a new yacht. The Britannia is good enough for mo. 1 shall noi) sail another. Major Sir Philip Hunlolie, the King s sailing master and one of the finest racing helmsmen alive, stated this week that the King’s decision was irrevocable. “It is a matter of sentiment,” he said. “For purely selfish reasons 1 would have liked the King to have a new yacht. I would have liked to race her. But no one understands better than myself the Kings feelings about Britannia. I haye been associated with her since the King came to the throne, and for me, as tor the King, her place can never he filled. “The other big boats are too good tor Britannia. Scientific gadgets and secrets of construction, as represented in the new yachts like Endeavour and Velsheda, put Britannia at a disadvan“One can’t race and come in last all the time. It is humiliating to the old b °“Tliis year we did no good at all. We did not once get a wind wliich suited her. Britannia is a wonderful sea boat, and likes plenty of wind, but we had all light airs. She never had a chance. “I think I was right in advising the King not to race her again. It is bettei to ictire her now while she has suen a wonderful record.” Although Britannia will never race again there is no thought of relegating her to the scrap-heap. “We will probably cruise about lor the King’s pleasure,” Sir Philip said.