TASMAN YACHT RACE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 69, 23 March 1931, Page 16

TASMAN YACHT RACE.

THE OIMARA SIGHTED.

REPORT FROM MAR AM A

TEDDY AND RANGI NOT SEEN

Advice has been received in Auckland that the Oimara, the Australian representative in the trans-Tasman vaeht

race, is nearing its destination. There is no news of the Norwegian boat, Teddy, or of the Auckland vessel, Rangi.

Captain Sewell, of the Marama, reported on Saturday evening that the Oimara had been sighted 309 miles east of Sydney Heads. She reported that all was well. The Marama, which left Sydney for Auckland late on Friday afternoon, communicated with the yacht's crew, but saw no sign of the other vessels. A fresh northerly wind and a moderate to ''ough sea were prevailing at the time.

The three yachts started their voyage to Australia on Saturday, March 14, the Oimara and Teddy getting away at 2 p.m., and the Rangi at 2.40 p.m. The first, and last, news of their progress came from Cape Brett, which the Oimara passed at 11.15 o'clock the next morning. The Teddy and Rangi followed four hours later. At the commencement of the race light southerly winds were ex-

perienced, and on the way to Cape Brett the Oimara had made a speed of live knots, and the other two vessels 4.4 knots. It was expected that the boats would round Cape Maria Van Dienien on Monday evening, March 16, but the lighthouse-keeper there did not see them, nor were they sighted by the steamer Maunganui, which passed the cape in the afternoon, en route from Sydney to Auckland. The yachts apparently passed the cape a considerable distance out to sea.

From the time the Oimara passed the eape until she was sighted by the Mafariia, she had covered a distance of 800 miles, and her average speed over the course had been 5.4 knots. It is practically certain that she has used auxiliary power, as she was entitled to do. Providing -she continues to make the same rate of progress, she should make Sydney to-morrow morning. It appears likely that the Teddy and Rangi have been driven eitner north or south of the steamer route by winds or currents. They have no auxiliary power.