Easter Yachting.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 88, 15 April 1933, Page 8

Easter Yachting.

COROMANDEL RACE.

A Victory for Mahaki.—Celox Also Scores.

After the long spell of easterly weather, the wind came out from the south-west on Thursday evening only a few minutes before the annual race irom Auckland to Coromandel was due to start off the King's wharf. Most of the 22 starters were able to secure a friendly tow down to the starting line, but at 8 p.m., the advertised time for starting, only half of the number had reported to Mr. Wilkinson on the end -of the wharf, and he decided to defer the start. At 8.15 all but two were in sight and the race was started at 8.20 p.m., using red lights in place of the usual starting flags. Three races were held, the entries and off-wind handicaps in each class being as follow:: — Keel—Waione, scr; Speedwell, 21m • Queenic (trysail), 24m; Mahaki, 30m. Waione did not start. . I 26-Footers- and Under. —Omatere, scr Celox, Starloch, 4m; Starlight, 6m; Spray', 10m; Kia Ora, Mirage, Komuri, 20m' Doreen, 30m; Malua, 36m; Waitohi, Wayward, 46m. All started but Spray. 18-Footers. —Paroro, scr; Mystic, sm; Avro, lOrii; Maroro, 14m; Drone, 16m; Maia, 20m; Rita, 36m; Desiree, 50m. AU started. At gunfire the boats were all in a bunch off the end of the King's wharf, and moved off slowly in the light sou'-westerly wind, which was now making off the shore, giving them fair wind to their destination, in place of the long beat to windward expected by most skippers, and the change was welcome, enabling leading jibs and spinnakers to be carried. Omatere, Mahaki, Mirage, Paroro, Mystic,' Komuri, Celox, Speedwell, Queenie, Avro, Drone and Maroro were the first to get moving arid the fleet made a pretty sight in the moonlight as they gathered way in the fair breeze and were soon well down harbour on their 34-mile sail. The course was down inside Wailieke Island, thence through any of the three passages into the Hauraki Gulf, finishing off Beeson's Island at the port hand entrance to Coromandel Harbour. Mr. W. A. Wilkinson was handicapper and starter, the finishing times being taken by Messrs. Fred Strongman, J. A. McNeill and W, H. Turner. Progress of Races. The wind continued light from the southwest as the boats passed Brown's Island about 10 p.m. Omatere was leading, with Celox, Starloch, Mahaki, Drone and Paroro next. A better breeze came out of Howick Bay, but eased up again. Off Awaroa about midnight, Omatere got into a light spot, Celox and Starloch passing her. After this the breeze gradually freshened and better time was made through Waiheke Passage, the leading boats getting through at 1 a.m. Spray went through the sandspit. Spinnakers were carried to starboard all the way from the King's wharf to the finish. Half-way across the Gulf the wind freshened considerably and quick time was made to the finish. The finishes W Keel Yachts—Mahaki 3h 44m Is, Queenie 3h 50m 6s, Speedwell 4h 4m 3s. ;!• 26-Footers.—Celox (4m) 31i 29m, Starloch (4) 3h 30m Is, Omatere (scr) t 3h 38m 20s, Komuri (20m) 3h 47m 2s. Starlight (6m) 3h 49m 4s. Doreen (3m) 3h 57m 10s, Spray (10m) 41i 4m 3s, Malua (36m) 4h Cm 4s; Malua, Mirage and_ Waitohi also finished. Results were: —Keel yachts: Mahaki 1, Queenie 2. Speedwell 3. .26-Footers: Celox I, Starloch 2, Komuri 3, Doreen 4. Only ■ two minutes separated the first four boatsi There were no results in the V class, owing to the capsize of Drone and the fact that Paroro stood by. The prizes in this class will be decided on a race held off Coromandel to-day.