YACHT RACE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 289, 13 December 1897, Page 2

YACHT RACE.

The yacht race sailed on Saturday afternoon between ' the thirty-footers Meteor (owned by Mr A. Pittar. and Kotiri (owned by Mr P. Dufaur) was one of the most interesting and exciting ever held in the harbour. The wharves and points round the harbour were crowded with people desirous of witnessing the race. The Meteor, owing to her greater length of water-line, hacl to concede her opponent 52secs start. Both boats were manned with picked crews, and Mr H. G. Kissling was at the tiller of the Meteor, while Mr J. Logan steered the Kotiri. The course was from oft'the Queen-street Wharf down to buoy off Brown's Island, thence to black buoy inside the Rangitoto reef, back round mark-boat oft" Bastion, finishing oft the Queen • street Wharf. A fairly even start was effected, but the Meteor nearly fouled the mark boat and had to pay out, thus giving the Kotiri about lOseclead. The yachts beat across the harbour to the Wolverine, the Meteor, who had a reef in her main-sail, being on the windward, side. The Kotiri went about first, and had gone about 200 yards on the other tack before tbe Meteor changed her course. On the run down to Orakei Point the Kotiri drew away from her competitor, and again went about first, 33sec before the Meteor. On the beat across, when passing the Bastion rock, the latter boat had gained Bscc on her rival, the difference being2ssec. Off Orakei Point the difference was reduced to 17sec, and on passing the Brown's Island buoy the yachts were on even terms. The Rangitoto buoy was rounded by the Kotiri S seconds ahead of the Meteor. On the run across to the North Head the Meteor had the best of the board. Oil' the North Head the Meteor shook out ber reef, and shortly after spinnakers M-ere got out, and with the wind dead behind, the boats came along at a great rato, keeping well together. Off the Railway Wharf spinnakers were taken in, and the yachts passed the mark boat almost simultaneously. A board was then made to Brick Bay, the Kotiri having the bestof the beat across. On the run across to Orakei the Meteor travelled much faster than the Kotiri, and went about on a board towards • Rangitoto ahead of her rival. Going round the mark boat oft' the Bastion the Meteor was 32sec in advance of the Kotiri, and the run home was started. Spinnakers were got out and the boats came down the harbour very rapidly. Off Kohimarama the Kotiri's spinnaker carried away, but it was smartly re-set, and a splendid race ensued up to the finishing post, which the Meteor passed 54sec ahead of the Kotiri.

With the Kotiri's time allowance of 52 seconds deducted, this gives the Meteor a win by 2 seconds. The Meteor, which was built by Messrs C. and W. Bailey, has started in three races, in all of which she lias finished first.