YACHTING

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25085, 17 January 1947, Page 8

YACHTING

TAURANGA CLASS CONTEST

CANTERBURY IN LEAD ON POINTS

Winning a well-sailed race yesterday afternoon, the Canterbury defender of the Tanner Cup, Pip, sailed by G. Mander, gained a substantial lead on points in the Tauranga sailing contest on the Estuary Mount Pleasant, and the race to be be!d at midday to-day may end the contest M.C., the Nelson boat, sailed by G. Amos, won the morning race, leading all Ca “ te rbury and Auckland had a tight for second place, each in turn heading the other. The Canterbury boat finally crossed the line 14 seconds* ahead of the Auckland boat Kiwi. It was announced yesterday that the South Canterbury boat is Pacer, not Fiona, as was officially given on Wednesday. Points awarded for the four races are: Canterbury 340.46, Auckland 273.80, Nelson 216.66, Bay of Plenty 167.14, Wellington 130.94, South Auckland 121.02, Hawke's Bay 107.93, South Canterbury 105.15.

Third Race The third race was. started at 11.20 a.m. over a windward and leeward course of four miles. There was a flood tide and a light north-easterly wind. The start was on the wind, and Nelson crossed first with Canterbury just under her lee. Nelson set about making board for board with Canterbury, these two and Wellington being fairly level. The beat up to the windward mark was 'a fairly long one. Nelson kept in the lead, with Canterbury, Bay’ of Plenty, and Auckland close together astern. Auckland first weathered Bay of Plenty and finally weathered Canterbury. There was a tussle, which lasted throughout the race, for second place. Nelson had a comfortable lead and increased it. At the end of the first round M.C. (Nelson) was Imin 57sec ahead of the Auckland boat, Kiwi, Canterbury was only another 16 seconds away. On the beat, Auckland reduced the Nelson lead. The South Auckland boat, Thistle, sailed by Jean Mackay, had weathered some of the others and had come up into fifth place. Mander, sailing the Canterbury boat, showed local knowledge when he worked inshore to avoid the tide and he soon overhauled Auckland and for a while challenged Nelson. Then Canterbury and. Auckland had a great fight, first one and then the other, in quick succession, holding the advantage. The results were:—M.C. (M. Amos), Nelson, 1.5.47, 1; Pip (G. Mander), Canterbury, 1.7.24, 2; Kiwi (D. Jackson), Auckland, 1.7.38, 3; Cheetah (B. Southey), Bay of Plenty, 1.8.30, 4: Thistle (Jean Mackay), South Auckland, 1.15.6, 5; Pluto (W. Yates), Wellington, 1.18.28, 6; Pacer (P. McConachy), South Canterbury, 1.18.47. 7; Falcon (D. Mills), Hawke’s Bay, 1.21.53, 8. Fourth Race A triangular course was chosen for the fourth race, which started at 1.43 p.m., just as the tide was turning. The wind had freshened, and conditions were ideal. The start was again on the wind. The boats crossed in a bunch, but Nelson soon took the lead and held it round the first two marks, with Auckland and Canterbury only a few seconds away. On the beat up again Canterbury went into second place and then challenged Nelson', finally putting the visitor about and taking the lead. From then on Mander sailed an almost faultless race. At the Heathcote stake Canterbury had a 20 seconds’ advantage of Nelson, with Auckland about another minute away. On the run for the canal stake Nelson moved up a little, but later dropped back again. Gybing to round the canal stake. Pacer (South Canterbury) capsized, but McConachy quickly righted her and was away again within a few seconds. Canterbury held off Nelson on the beat up to the finishing line. Results:— Pip (Canterbury), 2.36.21, 1; M.C. (Nelson), -2.37.13, 2; Kiwi (Auckland), 2.37.48, 3; Cheetah (Bay of Plenty). 2.38.0, 4: Pluto (Wellington), 2.40.10 5; Pacer (South Canterbury)’, 2.40.15, 6- Falcon (Hawke’s Bay), 2.41.46, 7: Thistle (South Auckland), 2.42.27, 8.