YACHTING

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22338, 28 February 1938, Page 9

YACHTING

IDLE ALONG TITLE LYTTELTON BOAT ELITE FINISHES FIRST PROTEST AGAINST WINNER AND RUNNER-UP Sailed on the Waimakariri at Kairaki yesterday afternoon, the Canterbury Idle Along championship provided a keen race for many spectators and resulted In a win for the Lyttelton boat mite, splendidly sailed by J. Osborne, but only after a great tussle with Koala, an entrant from Redcllffs - ,r , ,r> r The starters were:—Koala IK. *-• Mahan), Listless (G. Tibbies) Muritai (J. "Small) Kawe (B. Sinclair), Turi (A. N. Ser) A.oha (H. Wells). Elite (J. Osborne), and Marito (L. Beaumont). Koala was entered by the Christchurch Yacht Club, all the others being from the Canterbury Yacht and Motor-Boat Club, Ly Tama o r n a, the only entrant from thS WaimSkariri Sailing and Power-Boat Clup, wfs disqualified: after a report from the measures that, although her were correct, her shape was not in con formity with the Idle Along class. The Tamara wa's called off the course when there were only two flags to fall for tne start of the race. Protest Entered before the conclusion of the race a protest wa? entered by C. Kitson owner of the Tamara, about the circumstances of ?he last-mYnute disqualification of his boat. The protest was considered by the Judges, who Subsequently reported that they had been prepared to allow Tamara to start, the measurers having taken a liberal view in overlooking certain discrepancies in her design. When objections had been raised by the Lyttelton crews however the measurer and Judges had to _abide strictly to the specifications, and Tamara had not been allowed to start. . It was also alleged that the winning boat, Elite, did not fulfil the specifications more especially in regard to sails. The sails of both Elite and the second boat, Koala, had been measured, and the report of the measurers would be referred to the Canterbury Sailing and Power-Boat Association for its decision. .... Shortly before the starting timfe for the race a heavy rain showed drove the spectators to shelter. The start was postponed for half an hour, and the boats were sent away at 2.31 p.m. It was a good start, Marita crossing first. Listless stood right in on starboard tack to the banK, and. going about, weathered the others. Off the sandhills, the breeze freshened, and nearlng the weather buoy the three Lyttelton boats, Turi, Marita, and Elite, were leading. The position changed before rounding, and the order at the buoy was Koala and Aloha, with the three mentioned following. All flew spinnakers for the run up the river. Muritai had trouble in setting hers, and ran off for a whiie. Passing the starting line, Koala was leading. Muritai, Listless, and Turi were bringing up the rear. Approaching the lee buoy, off the north branch, Aloht was in the lead, with Kawe lying second, and Koala and Elite next in order. On the beat down, Elite soon took the lead from Koala. First Round Positional

Elite maintained her lead from Koala, and they rounded the blocks buoy in that order. The two were well ahead of the others. Passing the starting point, Aloha was blanketing Marita, both losing ground. Listless, last year's winner, was running last. The second round was completed as follows:

On the run for the iast round Koala closed up on Elite, which was only 12 seconds ahead as they passed the starting line. It was a keen and exciting contest between these two. Off the creep all had to change over mainsails and spinnakers, Elite being particularly smart with hers. The run was slower, as the boats had to stem the ebb tide. Koala was fighting for position, and on the beat back for the finishing line she soon held the weather position. Osborne was not to be denied, however, and splitting. Elite again took the windward position. Working short boards off Dunn's Bank, Kaola Dust touched the sandspit, but came off again immediately. Elite also touched bottom

The first round was completed as follows :— h. m. s. Klite .. 3 13 28 Koala .. .. 3 14 0 Kawe .. .. 3 14 25 Marita .. 3 15 30 Aloha .. .. 3 15 30 Muritai .. 3 17 5 Listless .. 3 17 50 Turi .. 3 18 15

h. m. s. Elite .. 3 55 0 Koala .. .. 3 53 15 Kawe .. .. 3 56 40 Marita .. 3 58 40 Aloha .. .. 3 59 35 Muritai .. 4 0 15 Listless .. 4 1 42 Turi .. 4 2 IS

lightly. The finish was:— Elite (J. Osborne) 4.38.15 p.m. 1 Koala .. .. 4.38.38 p.m. 2 Kawe .. •• 4.39.50 p.m. 3 Marita .. •• 4.41,20 p.m. 4 The others retired before the completion of the final round. Open Class Race An open race in the morning for the Parnham trophy attracted 22 starters. The start Was at 11.45 a.m., and the finish was:— . Koala (Mahan),. 4min Mystery I (A. E.. Tyson), 3min Harmony (G. Moor), 2imin Elite (J. Osborne), 3imin 12.35.18 p.m. 1 12.35.25 p.m. 2 12.36.10 p.m. 3 12.36.31 p.m. 4