YACHTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 306, 27 December 1929, Page 13

YACHTING.

RACES TO RUSSELL

ARIKFS CLOSE WIN.

RAKOA LEADS HER CLASS.

J Better entries than for last year were received for the Auckland to Eueeell ocean races for keelers and mullet boats, the crews of which met with light wind conditions after the heavy westerly which prevailed prior to their departure from the Waitemata on Tuesday evening. Ho3t of the boats made good progress during the night, and setting a course outside the Hen and Chickens they were to be scattered between this group and the Poor Knights next morning. Then the wind dropped to almost a flat calm, and later came away lightly from the northward. During the afternoon Cape Erett lighthouse reported to Russell that the Ariki, standing well out, was leading and almost the whole population in the sword-fishing centre gathered on the wharf in the evening to cheer the handsome yacht ae, with all canvas spread, she got the first gun, crossing the finishing line at 7.35J p.m. Other craft struggled in throughout the night, and by 7 a.m. on Boxing Day seven keelers and four of the centreboard competitors were at anchor. On the handicaps the finish for the big fellows was very close: Ariki (scr) winning by three-quarters of a minute from Windward, Ida securing third place from lorangi, with a lead of 4J minutes. In the centre-board class Starlcch, the scratch boat, put in an appearance shortly after midnight, but was well 'beaten on handicap by Rakoa (handicap 3h 30m), which crossed the line at 2.15 a.m. Starlight did not finish. Times:—

a.m. btariignt did not finish. Times:— Keelers.—Ariki (scr) 7.35J p.m., lorangi (26m) 11.7 J p.m., Windward (4h 20m) 11.56 p.m., Ida (3h 50m) 2.27-a.m., Janet, Rangi and Thelma reached anchorages after daybreak without reporting times. Mullets Boats.—Starloch (scr) 0.22J a.m.,#Omatere (20m) 2.10 a.m., Rakoa (3h 30m) 2.15 a.m., Celox (30m) 2.20 a.m., Starlight.