YACHT RACE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 47, 25 February 1939, Page 10

YACHT RACE.

AUCKLAND TO TE KOUMA.

26 START IN FRESH SOUTHERLY.

The Royal New Zealand Yacht oquadrou s annual race to Te Kouma, near Coromandel, started at 12.40 p.m. Uvday, when 14 A class yachts left in a fresh' breeze from the south. The first prize is the T. M. Alexander Memorial Gold Cup. If the wind holds the race should finish at 0.30 p.m. The entries, handicaps and starters in the first division were:—Ranger, scr; Ariki, 12m; loningi, 14m; Matia and V iking, 18m; Nga Toa, 25m; Waitangi, 28m; Tamatea, 32m; Moana, 36m; Ida, Prize, 39m; Victory, 40m; Little Jim, 41m: Waiomo, 44m.

A well-judged start at 12.40 p.m. saw Ariki first away, carrying a new suit of sails and large topsail. She was closely followed by Tamatea, Ranger, Little Jim, Moana, Waiomo, lorangi, Nga Toa, Waitangi, Prize, Matia, Viking, Ida and Victory in that order. Good time was made on the lead down harbour in the fresh breeze aud nearing Bean Rock Ariki and Ranger were at close quarters, Ranger eventually passing Ariki to take the lead, followed bv Waitangi, sailing very well, Nga Toa, Matia and Moana. The fleet made down Waiheke Passage and through Coromandel Passage, between Ponui and Rotoroa Islands, where a straight course across the gulf could be set for the finishing line. The Second Division. The yachts of the second division started Sr P-m. over the same course, for Mr. H. Hewson's trophy. The handicaps were:—Waione, scr; Kotiri, 3m; Tainui, 9m; Tangaroa, 12m' Windward, 14m; Mahaki, 17m; lona', 36m; Medina and Kotuku, 40m; Janet 45m; Ghost and Vida, 55m. A good start saw Tangaroa fiVst away, followed by Kotiri, Kotuku. Mahaki Tainui, Medina, Gliost, Windward, Waione. lona, Vida and Janet in that order, the last three being a little late, langaroa increased her advantage from tile start, followed bv Kotiri, Waione, Tainui. Mahaki and Kotuku.