Drifting Match Of Seven-footers

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 14930, 18 March 1949, Page 5

Drifting Match Of Seven-footers

Tide Plays Havoc With

Boats

Difficult Conditions On Harbour

(By “Rope’s End”)

Saturday was one of those rare days when it was absolutely a flat calm. It was a long and boring job for the competitors who had a beat to windward over a strong.y making tide in a breeze which, .when it existed at all, was only a series of catspaws. It is not surprising then, to find that a large majority of the boats were unable even to cross the starting line, being forced to pull cut after an hour or two of merely holding their own against the tide, which in some cases proved too strong, carrying the boats well down towards the bridge. A few light showers of drizzle did not help matters any. What racing there was could not be called thrilling as it was obvious that the boat that picked up the most light airg would be the one to gain the prize. Unfortunately I did not see the finish' of the races, but I understand that several boats actually completed the courses. There was a fair muster of sevenfooters and the whole flock held up to windward of the wharf before the start and as the gun fired they came down to the'line but the tide was too strong for them and before they knew it they were scattered all over the harbour. It really was a drifting match of the highest degree and when the boats finally got away I understand that Alan Stamp (Ariki) and Ross Denni’ston (Dolphin) were among those who went to the front. In the drifting game the consistent Stamp seemed to do best and just managed to hold off Denniston at the gun. Others who did well were Murray McClymont (Vampire), Glen Mune (Redwing), K. Dugmore (Pamir) and G. Denniston (Charm). In the Idlealong class only three boats whistled hard enough to get sufficient wind to take them round the course. After a fair amount nf short-boarding at ihe start, Geoff. Woods in the lona was first to show out and by the time the next boat, the Rcse Marie sailed by Ronnie Johnson, had crossed the sfart line, had a fair lead up his sleeve. These two boys slogged it out in the calm and the superior boat, the Rose Marie, turned the tables in favour of Johnson whom. I believe, only just held off Woods to collect the finishing gun. The Bailey brothers in the Comet had a difficult job to fetch the start line, but once away managed to sail round the course. Arthur Robinson (Isa Lei) crossed the line at gunfire but dropped back until ho finally pulled out of the race. Ronnie Mackrell (Gae) had a most difficult ti’mo in making the line and when I left, was still putting in stern boards. h is understood that he did cross the starting line and thoroughly deserves a pat on the back for his perseverance. The forward hands had a grand holiday, having very little to do. Peter Southey was verv agile with the extra, as was Ron Bailey. John Hewitt did not get the chance to show his paces nor did the new forward hand in the Isa Lei. The latter would possibly make a reasonable forward hand if he were more lively, but some of his actirns on Saturday were not particularly impressive. In common with the other c’asses (he Zeddies had difficulty in making the line and of the three boats ■ which started only one made the weather mark to complete the course. Eddie Blackburn deserves credit for the manner in which he stuck to his guns. o The forward hands were unlucky in that they did not get the opportunity to show off their ability, although some of them did have a bit of fun with the kite during the afernoon. The Frostbites suffered with the rest and did not get away, mest of them pulling out after a futile effort to make some progress against the tide.

Bouquet of the week is for Alan Stamp for his persistence in the conditions existing on Saturday.