AQUATICS.

Auckland Star, Issue LVII, 1 March 1926, Page 12

AQUATICS.

DEVONPORT YACHT CLUB.

ANNUAL REGATTA. SAILED IN HARD WESTERLY. CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS. The Devonport Yacht Club held their annual regatta on Saturday, the races starting ana finishing near the Victoria wharf, in full view of the Windsor Reserve and adjacent waterfront, which was lined with spectators. There was a hard breeze blowing from the west, which made a big sea against the flood tide, and several boats capsized. The events included all classes from the first-class keel yachts, which made a very pretty sight at the start, down to the popular 14-footers, but there were few starters.

The naval cutters' sailing race created great interest. Two boats capsized before the start. The crews were and the boats towed back to their ships by naval launches.

Although Miss Devonport and Miss X put in nn appearance in the early part of the afternoon, by 4 o'clock, the time set for starting the speed boat race, the weather conditions were such that the race was a washout.

The wind freshened just before 2 p.m., and was blowing hard by the time the first class went off, and increased a bit later, causing three capsizes and several accidents to gear. Besides the two naval cutters, the 16-footer Najnu capsized when within half a minute of the finishing post, and when winning easily. She was rescued and towed home when the wind eased a bit by the launch Viveen. The 14-footer Rangi also capsized, the crew being rescued by the yacht Prize.

All races started and finished between the eastern end of Victoria wharf and starter's launch moored south. The starting, judging and timekeeping was in the hands of Mr. W. A. Wilkinson, assisted by -Messrs. G. E. Laycoek, J. Nettleton and X. Colrtleutt. The following are the results :— First Class Yachts.—Prize was first away, with Wairiki, Victory, lorangi and Xgahu all close together, Rangi being a bit late. lorangi took the lead at the first mark, and the finish was : lorangi 4h 21m 4r»s. Prize 4h 24m 10s, Victory 4h 26m 30s, Ngahnu 4h 42m 10s. Rangl 4h 44m 50s. Result: Prize I, Victory 2, lorangi 3. E Class.—The finish was : Rover 4h 47m 20s. Mnhoe 4h 56m 50s. Result : Rover 1, Mahoe 2. II Class.—Waitere was first away in this class, followed by Valkyrie, Cora, Awatere and Starlight. Waitere carried away some gear and retired, and the finish was : Starlight 4h 54m 31s, Valkyrie oh Om 545, Awatere 5h 5m 20s. Result : Starlight 1, Valkyrie 2, Awatere 3. L and N Class. —Varuna was first away in this race, followed by Kakoa, Rahiri, Venus, Mowai and Ngaru. Varuna led all the way, and Ngaru went into second place. Mowai and Rakoa carried away and retired. The finish was : Varuna 4h 57m 355, Ngaru 5h lin 2s, Venus 5h 3m 4s, Rahiri oh 9m 40s. Result: Varuna 1, Ngaru 2, Rahiri 3.

M Class.—Four boats, Matarere, MolHe, Mawhiti and Mischief, got away in this order for the Duder Cup, which had been allotted to this class. Mawhiti took the lead on the first round, and the finish was : Mawhiti 4h 28m 10s, Matarere 4h 30m Is, Mischief 4h 31m 48s, Mollie 4h 33m pe. Result: Mawhiti 1, Matarere 2, Mischief 3.

Star Class. —Only Ola IV. and Moa started, and Ola finished alone at 4b. 38m 50s, and won.

V Class.—The finish was: Mystic 4h 49m Os, Surprise 4h 50m 14s, Wild Wave 4h 54m 30s. Result : Myetic 1, Surprise 2, Wild Wave 3.

S Class.—Only Sea Sleigh finished at 4h 53m Bs. and won. Xaniu capsized just before reaching the finishing line, when she had a big lead.

T and V Class.—The finish was: Marie oh 6m 50s, Mizpah 5h 14m 15s, Bantam 5h Ksm 10s. Result : Marie 1, Mizpah 2, Bantam 3. Alert and Ngaio did not finish.

Jellicoe Class.—The finish was: Joan oh 0m 408, Dulcie 5h 0m 465. Result: Dulcie 1, Joan 2. Rangi capsized in this class. Idler and Iron Duke did not finish.

Launches.—The finish was: Viveen 4h 44m 455, Atikl 4h 54m 335, Methinia 5h 3m 50s. Result: Viveen 1, Atikl 2, Methinia 3. Esther G. retired.

Naval Cutters. —Sis boats faced the starter, but two capsized in a heavy squall a few minutes before the race started. Four started, and the result was: Diomede 4h 33m 10s, Veronica 4h 34m 15s, Dunedln 4h 37m Os. Diomede was disqualified by the naval officer in charge for not carrying full equipment, ■ and Veronica wins, with Dunedin second.