OCEAN LAUNCH RACE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 31, 5 February 1910, Page 9

OCEAN LAUNCH RACE.

The ocean launch race for the silver tea service, valued at £80, and presented by Mr. W. ;3. Proude, of Sydney, is proceeding to-day under the auspices of the New Zealand Power Boat Association". The boats were given their handicaps at the start, and the first boat was sent away punctually at 9 o'clock, while it was not until after half-past ten that the scratch boat was dispatched. In all, fourteen boats entered for the race, and twelve started, the boats which did not put In an appearance being the Zealandia and Tahuta. The course Is through Rangltoto and Whangaparoa Channels, round Canoe rock, and thence round Tirl; distance, about 53.4 knots. To be qualified for the race, the boats had to be not less than 30ft In length, of substantial build, and In cruising trim. The entrants were :—Seabreeze scr. Sybil 9m, Eliza 2Gm 80s, Countess 28m 30s, Zephyr 32m 30s, Zealandia 86m, Winsome 40m, lone 43m, Virginia 44m 30s, Maroro 45m 30s, Tahuta 40m 30s, .Buffalo Bill Glm, Matakana 82m, Marore 97m. Marore was sent away at 9 a.m. Prior to the start she got across the bows of the s.s. Young Bungaree, and a collision was narrowly averted. The Matakana followed at 9.15, and the Marore was then nearing the North Head. Buffalo Bill started at 9.36, by which time Marore and Matakana were well round the Heads. Maroro crossed the line at 9.46. A r irginSa started a minute later, lone two minutes later, and Winsome followed at 9.56. Zephyr went away at four minutes past ten, and the CounteES at 10.0, one minute late. The Eliza followed at 10.16. At this time Winsome hr.d overhauled Virginia and Jlarorq,. and the. trio were on level terms at the -Heads. At this stage Virginia retired owing to an accident in her engine-room. Sybil received dispatch at 10.25, and the scratch boat, the Seabreeze, was sent away at 10.37. The Sybil was then near ttfe Heads; which the Seabreeze rounded at 10.53. (By Pigeongram.) (Received it 1.30.) Matnlcana, Virginia, and Countess have dropped out, their engines getting too hot to run. Buffalo Bill is going weli, and should almost win. Seabreeze picked up the Sybil by several minutes at Tirl Tiri. A heavy sea Is running, and the wind Is blowing jstrong from the nor'-east." ,Yacht races are being held Oils 'afternoon by -the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and.the Richmond Crulsins Club. The results of the races will appear in" our S o'clock Sports Edition to-niglit.