MAY BE DELAYED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 277, 22 November 1934, Page 9

MAY BE DELAYED.

OCEAN YACHT RACE.

COMPETITORS TO MEET,

The yacht race from Auckland to Melbourne, which was to start 011 Saturday, December S, may be delayed for two weeks. A request has been made to the Akarana Yacht Club, which is controlling the race, by Mr. J. W. S. McArtlmr, owner of the yacht Morewa, for a delay in starting date to allow the local sailmakers time to complete a new suit of sails made of special material, similar to the cloth used by the Endeavour in the America Cup contest. This will not arrive until December 5, and with a day for delivery it will leave less than a fortnight to make and lit them. «».

The request for a postponement until Saturday, December 22, will be considered by the special trans-'Tasman race committee set up" two months ago by the club.* The committee may meet next Tuesday, by which time it is expected the Te Rapunga, one of the competitors, will arrive. The yacht was sighted yesterday by 11.M.5. Diomede about 25 miles north of White Island, making good time 011 a nor'-westerly course for Auckland.

Another competitor, Mr. John Wray's Ngataki, is also 011 her way back to Auckland from a cruise to Tonga.

As Morewa, Te Jtapunga and Ngataki are now the only likely" starters, they will be represented at the meeting' and asked for an opinion on the question of a postponement. It would give lx>th the yachts more time for preparation, which is an advantage, and a. start at the commencement of the holidays would fit in better with the crews' arrangements. On the other hand, the Melbourne committee may consider the date of arrival rather late. Xo doubt, the question will be submitted to them by the club before making a definite decision. A fourth entry, the Pictori schoonerrigged yacht Queen Charlotte, has been withdrawn owing to the boat having changed hands last week. The provisional entry of the Suva yacht Seafarer, made at tiie time of closing of entries by tiie Tamaki Yacht. Club, subject to the approval of her skipper, has not beer, confirmed, as arrangements already made will not permit of Seafarer being away early in December. The postponement of the race for two weeks may enable this yacht to compete.