Yachting REGATTA AT AKAROA

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28472, 30 December 1957, Page 9

Yachting REGATTA AT AKAROA

Large Entries For Races

Deterred by flooded roads elsewhere, many Christchurch residents went to Akaroa on Saturday for the Akaroa Boating Club’s 1957 regatta. There were large entries in the main events and the weather was excellent for sailing. Keeler yachts that participated in last Thursday’s Lyttelton-Akaroa race took part in a special event on Saturday afternoon.

Windward (H. Thomas) won from Tucana (H. Bachop and C. Dickie), with a four-second margin. Seafarer, sailed by C. Cowling, was third, a little more than three minutes later. The moderate southerly breeze suited the keelers, arid many fast times were recorded.

There were 19 starters in the open handicap race, and the whole fleet got away to a good start. This race, sailed in the morning, was disappointing, because of light. flukey south-easterly conditions. These conditions did not allow the R, X, and I class yachts to show their proper speed. FHrt (J. McNab) was first away, closely followed by several R-class yachts, and J. Morrison in Pinta. Slowly but steadily Impel (E. Wall) and Horizon (C. Papps) moved to the front. Peter Mander, with Salaam, also gained a good position at this stage. At the end, it was a battle of tactics between Impel and Horizon—both two-minute boats—but- Impel led the way to finish one minute before Horizon. Salaam came In third. In the afternoon, conditions improved with a satisfying southerly, providing fast spinnaker runs up the harbour. The race for R and X yachts was the most interesting of the day. All craft gave good performances, and the large number of onlookers were thriHed. Once again, Impel and Salaam exchanged places many times. Horizon also maintained a prominent position. R. Croft, with Prelude, gathered the lead in the last lap and won, one and a half minutes in front of A. Hawes, in Slocum. P class entries were disappointing. Five started and only two finished. M. Calder, with Tweedledum, and H. J. Taylor, with Seasprite, both gave good performances. Results:— Open Handicap (start 11.05 a.in.). — Impel (E. Wall), 2min, 12hr 40min 45sec, 1; Horizon (C. Papps), 2min, 12hr 41min 13sec, 2; Salaam (P. Mander), scr, 12hr 41min 18sec, 3; Pinta (J. Morrison), scr, 12hr 42min 35sec, 4.

R and X Class (race started 2.15 pan.).—Prelude (R. Croft), Bmin, 4hr Omin 35sec, 1; Slocum (A. Hawes), 6min, 4hr Imin 35sec, 2; Result (G. Good), Bmin, 4hr 2min 20sec, 3. I and Z Class (race started 2.20 p.m.).—Concern (M. Holland), scr, 4hr 18min 48sec, 1; Tango (G. Bryce), Imin, 4hr 19min lOsec, 2; My Sin (T. Brown), llmin, 4hr 20min 13sec, 3. Keeler Craft (race started 2.35 p.m.).—Windward (H. Thomas), 3hr 47min 3sec, 1; Tucana (H. Bachop and C. Dickie), 3hr 47min 7sec, 2; Seafarer (C. Cowling), 3hr 50min 0 sec, 3.

P Class.—Tweedledum (M. Calder) 1, Seasprite (H. J. Taylor) 2.