AQUATICS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 282, 28 November 1925, Page 25

AQUATICS.

(By SPEEDWELL.)

..The opening day pf the 1923-26 season will long be remembered by those who took part in it and by the many hundreds of enthusiasts who witnessed tlie display from the end of the King's Wharf and other vantage points on each -side of the harbour. It was a fine sight to see well over one hundred sailing craft competing in the ten classes, all waiting their turn to sail away at the command of the starting gun. From all over the harbour they came and nearing the line, they shook up head to wind and waited or just "jilled" along with their sails only half drawing in the steady sea breeze. As the time for their race approached, they gradually closed in on the space between the wharf and the bow of the launch at the weather end of the line, each skipper striving to -beat his rivals for pride of place when the signal was given. Then came a hauling in of main, jib and staysail fc-heets, a rush down .wind as the. last 30 seconds were told off and at gunfire a sharp luff to cross the line and they were away on tlie first leg of the course. It was" a wonderful scene of quick, sharp and decisive action as. the/boats glided in between the starting launch with but a foot to -spare, and some with even less between the boat to leeward, while others luffed out ahead of them. At times it seemed, as if nothing could prevent a big smash. But in spite of narrow chances fcaken .more by force of

secured three firsts under the guidance of young Rogers, late of Kismet. Celox came to light again and took three first prizes which nobody begrudged her after her long spell of hard luck. Venus surprised not a few by finishing first in her class six minutes ahead of Rakoa, Valeria and Marie, which were only separated by three seconds. Venus secured three wins. Meten, Rangi, Rival, Surprise, Sea Breeze and Sheila each took two firsts. There were no protests, and .all cdncerned arc to -be congratulated on the thorough success >of the opening day.

At a meeting of the Yacht and Motor Boat Association, held on Tuesday, it was decided to hold five trial races to help choose the Auckland challenger for the Sanders Cup. The first race will be held on Saturday week, December 5, commencing at 2 p.m. This will enable the boats to compete in the Akarana Club's race for their class on the same day. The other dates for trials arc December 12 and 19, January 9 and 10. Avalon, Rona, Queen March, and Joan were decided on to compete in the first race, but it is open to any boat which is eligible to compete, if her owner makes application to the secretary. On her form last Saturday, Idler seems deserving of a place, and no doubt she will be included. Next Monday is »the final date for receiving challenges for the Sanders Cup, and no doubt the same provinces will be represented again. Already Auckland and Hawke's Bay have formally lodged their challenges.

A letter was received from the Wellington Association asking a ruling: on the question of the position of the mast in Peggy, which is four.feet from, the stem. It appears she was built to the pre-Rona design. This design was adopted on June 19, 1923, but as both plans plainly show, the mast to be three feet from the stem it was decided that Peggy must sofconform to be eligible, to compete for the Cup, and a reply was sent to this effect. The allotting,-__of-numbers to new boats, or boats which, have come back to a class, takes a lot of time, and the secretary of the Association requests that all matters relating to registration be forwarded promptly.. The matter of financing the Cup this year was discussed, and it was decided to adopt the same system as in previous years when Auckland's boat had to be sent South. It was' recommended to delegates that a call be made on the members of their respective clubs. The expenses are estimated to be £.125. This is based on past experience. The chief expense is for hotel expenses and fares. The boats are carried on the railway at half rates, while in the case of the crew they are granted first class tickets at second class rates! A- proposal is in hand to hold a special picture night for the benefit of this fund. Already several thousand feet of film has been taken of the display on Saturday last, which will be added to during the season, and may'include the actual races for the Cup. This is sure to be a big draw, and should materially augment the funds. ■'','•

Avalon is waiting.. for' her English sails, which are expected next Monday. She mair be out to-day with a locallymade suit on a trial spin.;, Rona shquld be ready «o T day, also Queen March'' but, with the possible, exception of Bona, they* will not race." Idler has a- suit made locally, and .they appear, to be very good. The cloths' in the mainsail are only s'Jin wide. When this sail has had a bit of stretching it will be a good one.

Winifred won the first Dunedin trial, beating Kia Ora. Only these two com-, peted, as lona and Heather are still waiting • for their sails.

An accident occurred last Sunday on Whangarei harbour, the 14-footer Sea Urchin • capsizing in a heavy jsquall when sailing home from near the Heads. Off Manganese Point the boat was noticed to go over by Master Hereward Pickmere, of the 14-footer All Black, which had previously been in company with the* Sea Urchin. Young Pickmere swam ashore and notified Mr. W. Patterson, captain of the launch Eva, who immediately got under weigh and rescued the crew. The boat was towed ashore, where she was righted and fixed up.

The annual meeting of the Auckland Anniversary Regatta Committee was held" on Monday, and there was a very good attendance. Mr. B. W. Beaumont was re-elected chairman, and Mr. J. C. Hewson secretary. A strong committee was forme J to carry out the regatta on January 29th next, and a _üb-c6mmittee was elected to draw up a programme to be submitted to. the next meeting, on December 7. The best wishes of the Auckland Committee were forwarded to the Tauranga Regatta Committee. This called the remark from the veteran member of the Auckland Regatta Committee Captain W. Ross, that he was present at one of the first regattas held at Tauranga. This was in 1877, when he was in command of the s.s. Staffa, his first and only command in steam. ex P ress f d hii " intention of fegafta TaUran S a to see *"« year's

Bay n ? nd ¥*?• R - C - Renner - of Heme Jn M„nJ IVe ? h ° me by the -■■»- N 'aga*a on Monday from a visit to Sydney. Mr S-Twen -~ te •a ,* t the Sydne y Clu ' bß ' was well received by them. hoK.S« t ! lrd i ay the Akarana ciub win hold races to Awaroa.Bay for the lamer Sr 8 aDd S b ° a * 3 eligle theotl,? r° Ur raCG3 will belield for in Go^L C ' a Bwß -n 4 dan ce will be held whiS dcn , 3,Hall in the evening, to Sited c J:achtsme " are cordially

A few yachtsmen, who ar e not members of the. "Royals," are inclined at times to belittle tiie work of this oldestablished club in the interests of active yachting and pretend to regard it as more of a social club than otherwise. That this idea is entirely wrong is clearly proved by a glance 'at the fixture card for the coming season, which does not differ materially from those of the last four or five years. Seven days racing is provided, and as some enthusiasts, rather unfairly, judge the progress or otherwise of a club by the amount of cash offered in the way of prize money, it is interesting to note that apart from trophies such as the Jellicoe Cup, Maekay Memorial, and Hardie trophies, Wilson and Johnson caps, the actual cash allotted amounts to £222. This is represented by £113 for the yachts, £48 for the M class, £37 for launches.and £24 for the Jellicoe class. Not at all a bad total for a club which does not encourage yacht racing for what can be got out of it. in the way of prize money! It is also to be noted that apart from the second and third prizes, both the cash and the trophies are donated strictly by members. In this respect at. least it must be acknowledged the "Royals" set a very good example. .