Second Time Round.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 126, 30 May 1887, Page 5

Second Time Round.

Before the last of the fleet had cleared • the mark, the Matangi was almost out of sight, rounding the North Head. The Tawera passed Calliope Dock at 3h 45m, the Marifcana at 3h 46m 455, and the Maratea at 3h 50m. The Spray then gave up the contest and went to her moorings, and the Wenona, with her gaff-topsail down, followed suit, leaving five yachts to finish the contest. The wind at this stage was blowing fresh from S.S.W., but there was every indication of it falling light, and some speculation was indulged in as to how this would affect the Matangi minus her gaff-topsail. The Matangi bowled along merrily on the second trip over the course, and rounded the Lake buoy about five minutes ahead of the Rita, whilst the other competitors were, a long distance astern, and by this time it was getting so dark that it was impossible to discern their relative positions at a dis tance. The Matangi and Rita stood over towards the beacon at Rangitoto, and then it was evident that the Matangi was feeling the want of her gaff-topsail, for the wind had fallen light. When a'ne went about off the reef, she had a lead of ; 4mins. 30secs., but the Rita was apparently in a much better position to windward, and this was proved to be correct when they went about on the next tack, the Rita being even further ahead than the Matangi had been previously. The Harwaves was rounded about 5.30 p.m., but ft was then too dark to ascertain more than that the Rita had a commanding lead, and was sure to win, bar accidents, whilst the rest-of the fleet could only be dimly discerned making the best of their way up the channel. . The Rita alone completed the course, ana passed the winning point at 6h 33m 4s p.m. The Matangi was then a long distance astern, in second position, Tawera third, Maritana fourth, and Maratea sixth. All except the Rita went to their moorings soon after rounding the North Head on the homeward journey. • = •The Rita, was sailed by the following well-known amateurs:—T. Henderson (at the tiller), C. C. Dacre, L. Dacre, W. Jones, H. 0. B. Waymouth, R. Biggs, and. lYSeg* moor. The Matangi was. sailed by J, Carlaw, and J. Bell and F- Matthews wore amongst her crew, W, Phillipgon presided at the tiller of the Wenona ; Sneaton piloted the Alaritana, F. Cramond the Maratea, J. Wiseman the Tawera, and J. Gibbs the Spray.

The Handicap?.

The result consequently will not be affected by the handicapping, but it is nevertheless interesting^ to know "what might have been. Mr H. Parker (handicapper), on conclusion of the race, announced the handicaps as follows :-The Maratea,7i tons, to receive 20 seconds per ton from the Kite and Matangi, and to allow' 20 seconds per ton to the Tawera'and Spray. Tawera, 6* tons, to receive 30 seconds per ton from tjie Rita and Matangi; 20 seconds from tie Marafcea, and 15 seconds per ton from the Wenona and Maritana, Wenona, 15 tons, to receive 15 seconds per^ton, on ]3 tons only, from .- the Rita and Matano-i,' and to allow 15 seconds per ton to the Tawera and Spray and /J seconds per ton to the Maratea,and to start at scmtcl!! with the Maritana. Marital $ receive 15 seconds per ton _on gross tonnage from Kita and Matengi, anif to a IW 15 seconds per ton to Tawera and Spray, and 74 seconds to Maratea. Spray 6| tons to receive 30 seconds per ton from Rita and Matangi, and to receive 20 seconds per ton from Maratea, and 15 seconds per ton from Wenona and Maritana. Wharif^ appear to have been very fairly given, ami justified by the result of the race and reflect great credit on Mr Parkers Simate of the ."relative po TO of, the I various craft competing.