FIRST HOME.
OIMARA AT SYDNEY.
ARRIVAL THIS MORNING.
RANGI NOT REPORTED.
KEEN INTEREST IN RACE
To the Melbourne ketch Oimara goes the honour of being first home in the first 'yacht race ever sailed across the Tasman Sea. The Oimara reached Sydney this morning. A Press Association message from Sydney states that the Oimara entered the heads at twenty minutes to eleven. It added that there was no sign of the other competitors, the Norwegian-owned Teddy and the Auckland-owned Rangi. News of the arrival at Sydney of the Oimara was expected to-day, as a wireless message received in Wellington early last evening stated that the ketch had been sighted 150 miles east-south-east of Sydney Heads. Although the Oimara has reached her goal ahead of her rivals, it is quite likely that she will not be adjudged the winner, for the boats arc racing under sealed handicaps. The Oimara carried enough fuel to use engines for approximately one-fifth of the distance, and it was expected that, given iine. weather and provided Mr. F. J. Benhell did not make a straightout sailing race of it, the Melbourne boat would be first into Sydi I y. As the I eddy was "spoken" 370 miles out from Sydney by the American steamer Golden West early yesterday morning, it is not likely that the Norwegian boat will reach Sydney for several days. The Rangi has not been sighted since passing Cape Brett, and it is not known whether she is ahead or astern of the Teddy.
Under Twelve Days. Since the three boats left Auckland on Saturday, March 14, keen public interest has been displayed in the race. During the past two days the interest has increased, and numerous inquiries for news of the contest have been received. The time occupied by the Oimara from the starting line at Auckland to Sydney Heads works out at a few hours under twelve days. This time is about the same as that taken by the yacht oil her voyage from Sydney to Wellington. Before the race commenced it was arranged that the Oimara and the Rangi would also race from Sydney to Melbourne, but it is now not likely that the second section of the contest will be decided. Mr. A. Leonard, owner of the Rangi, said last evening that his yacht would not go beyond Sydney as he was under an obligation to return the Auckland members of the crew with as little delay as possible. It was possible that the Work of fitting out the yacht for her return voyage would occupy two weeks.
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Bibliographic details
Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 72, 26 March 1931, Page 9
Word Count
429FIRST HOME. Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 72, 26 March 1931, Page 9
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