AQUATICS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 292, 8 December 1900, Page 4 (Supplement)

AQUATICS.

! The Mercer annual regatta 10-day brought out good entries, and an excellent, day's .outing was anticipated. The Ponsonby annual regatta takes place next Saturday. A very attractive programme is arranged, and every arrangement has been made to give spectators a good afternoon's sport. ! Mr F. H. Browne, of Ponsonby, has sold his yacht Toroa, and oil his brother's return from a trip round the world will most likely be leaving Auckland for a time. I An endeavour is being made to revive the old-time schooner races at the Lytjtelton Jubilee Regatta this season. j At a meeting of the General Committee of the Jubilee Regatta, held the ofher evening, the commodore, Captain McClatchie, announced his intention of presenting a donation of 10 guineas to .be allotted to whatever event the c.omImittee might decide. He would like, | however, that the trophy which might Ibe procured with it should not go out, of Canterbury. It was decided to I allocate the donation as a special prize, in addition to the ordinary prize, to the coasting schooners' race, provided that the prescribed number of vessels, five, started.

Sir Thomas Lipton, who made a great but, unsuccessful effort last year to win the America Cup with the Shamrock, Avas recently interviewed by a "New York Herald" reporter. In the course of the interview he said: "I would give every penny I have and begin again at the bottom of the ladder to lift the America Cup. Had the Shamrock been twice as fast a boat as she was she would not have beaten the Columbia." This to a personal friend. Sir Thomas says he learnt a lot during the series of yacht races between the Shamrock and Columbia for the.America, Cup, and hopes to bring the trophy back to England with Shamrock il. Mr Arbuckle, the coffee merchant, has invited Sir Thomas to be his guest when he next visits America in quest of the coveted trophy.

A Sydney paper has the following: "Mr A. T. Pittar's new 30-footer, which is to represent New Zealand in the intercolonial event at the Anniversary Eegatta. has been planked up by Logan Bros. From all accounts the Auckland rep. is a racing machine, with a centreboard—simply an enlarged edition of the speedy Mereia, which has proved such an "eye-opener" to local boat sailers. Another addition to this favourite class will shortly be made by Ford, of Berry's Bay, to the order of Mr S. Hordern. This craft is from a. Fife design, and she is to be in commission in time to compete in the first of theP.A.Y.C. series of 30ft class events on the 22nd prox. The Lapthorne sails for Mr llordern's boat are expected this week."

The Sydney "Daily Telegraph" gives the following* interesting account of Hie performance of the Auckland-built yachts in the Prince Alfred Yacht Club's general handicap race for all yachts last Saturday week: —Th race proved an excellent one, and tin finish between White Wings and Hon: was exciting enough to arouse the en thusiasm of every yachtsma.n. A fortnight earlier the speedy Bona had succeeded under exactly similar conditions—a fresh north-caster —in allowing her rival a start of five minutes, and won a splendid race by 27sec. On this occasion, however, the Fife boat was first across the line, but with only Usees to spare from the Auckland- j built "flier," which was pressing her, very close on the final reach to the! judge's boat. Of.the 30-footers Meteor was an easy first; in fact, for a long time it looked as if the little craft would gain a victory in the race instead of finishing third. She was excellently handled by her owner. The new boats were not seen to the best advantage, though, considering that their sails were only bent for the first time on Friday both Heather and Petrel shaped well. The former met 'with a mishap crossing the Heads. The e'ourse, measured 16 2-5 miles, viz., from Farm Cove, rbund the club buoy at Manly, Shark Island, and Fort Denison. thence round the Watson's Bay Pile Light, and Shark Island, and finishing in Farm Cove. Eesult:—White Wings, S. Hordern, smin, £10 10/ and trophy presented by Mr John Hunter. 1; Dona, J. E. Chinnery, scratch, £6 ('./. 2; Meteor, Dr. J. F. Elliott, 17min, £3 3/, 3. Handicaps being given at the start, the breeze being fairly strong from the north-east and the tide ebb. The remainder of the fleet followed well to time, except Aoma, which lost a minute and a half, and Magic. On the thrash to Manly Actaea, took up the running, and the "eat boat" gradually took up a position in the rear. Actaea, Meteor and the majority of the others favoured the eastern, shore, while Heather and Petrel were having a keen struggle on opposite side of the harbour. Meteor, however, was well ahead of the pair, and sailing splendidly in the fresh breeze she was gradually overhauling Actaea. In the meantime Jess had opened out from Isea, and though Bona had experienced rather bad luck over the first part of the course she began to pick .Vhite Wings up very fast as they neared Manly. Crossing the Heads Heather sprung* her mast, and she lowered her sails and retired —bad luck. At the Manly buoy the times were: Actaea, Sill 52m; Meteor. 3h 52m 455; Petrel, 3h 54m 425; Sapphire, 3h 55m 435; Aoma, 3h 57m 15s; .less, 3h 59m 10s; White Wings, 3h 59m 225; Isea, 4h 0m 255; Cooya, 4h 0m 555; Canaisie, 4h 2m 10s; Bona, 4h 2m 235. Jibing at Shark Island buoy they were timed: Meteor, 4h 23m 40s; Actaea, 4h 24m; Petrel, 4h 25m 555; Sapphire, 4h 27m 355; White Wings 4h 27m 40s; Jess, 4h 28m 555; Isea, 4h 30m 255; Bona, 4h 30m 435; Cooya, 4h 32m 40s. Aoma had retired before reaching the island. On the reach to the Fort Actaea again took the lead, and White wings passed Sapphire to leeward after the latter had kept her covered for some time. Hauling* a wind at Fort Denison Actaea had 30s to spare from Meteor, which in turn was 2m 20s ahead of Petrel, then close together came White Wings, Sapphire and Jess Now ensued a great struggle. Again Meteor went ahead, and at Bradley's she had a slight lead of Actaea., while White Wings and Bona both passed Petrel. From Bradley's all stood across to Steel Point, and White Wings getting Ithe worst of it under the lee was>now very little ahead of Bona. Eventually White Wings caught Meteor, and after a little manoeuvring Bona alsio displaced the little fellow on the last board before reaching the Pile Light, Squaring; away here White Wings' time was 5h 15m ss, Bona followed at oh 15m 50s —a difference of 45s—then came Meteor 40s astern. With topsail aloft and her big spinnaker so.on drawinoWhite Wings increased her lead to Shark Island by 10s, Bona's crew contributing to this result by nothoistino1 their topsail until after passing Steel

Point. Nevertheless the reach, home was really exciting. Fathom by fathom Bona' overhauled her rival, and it was 'only by dint of luffing until both boats were to the north of Pinch-gut that White Wings was able to stall her off. The times at the finish were: White Wings 5h 40m 40s; Bona, 5h 40m 51s; Meteor, 5h 44m 3"-" Jess, oh 45m; Actaea, 5h 47m Is; Petrel, oh 47m 51s; Isea, 5h 50ra 525; Sapphire, oh 53m lis. Thus White Wings, steered in first-class style by S. Hordern, junr., beat Bona by Us, and the scratch boat had 3m 36s to spare from Meteor.