Yachting HARD SAILING AT WEEK-END

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28537, 17 March 1958, Page 7

Yachting HARD SAILING AT WEEK-END

Several Boats Capsize Heavy rain on Saturday and high winds yesterday made yachting conditions hazardous during the week-end. Yesterday, 11 yachts capsized on the Waimakariri river and on Saturday, two crews had narrow escapes on the Estuary, near the Sumner bar. The Stewart’s Gully Sailing Club held a race yesterday afternoon, but all three yachts that started capsized. One snapped its mast and another broke its bowsprit. The race was called off, making this club well behind with its programme. Eleven yachts started in a race at the Waimakariri Sailing and Power Boat Club, but only four finished. The club used its new two-way radio equipment for the first time, which was of great assistance to Mr N. F Pipe with his pickuo launch. Static. The Mount Pleasant Boating Club postponed its races for the Celia trophy for P class and an open class event for the Hobson Cup. These races were to have been held on Saturday.

WAIMAKARIRI CLUB • In a gustv, high wind, S. Loader and B. Riel ardson yesterday gave an outstanding display of yachtsmanship to win the Navy League trophy for Z class at Kairakl. Their yacht. Melody, finished five minutes before the second boat, Corianna (M Robertson) crossed the line.

From the start, the three contestants. Melody. Corianna, and Swift (R. Davies), fought a nard battle not only against the southerly, but also against a fresh in the river. At one stage/ while on a broad lead. Melody was planing and officials estimated her speed to be between 12 and 15 knots. This remarkable speed assisted the yacht in winning half a lap alidad of the other two craft. Swift was unlucky to capsize while rounding the top mark for the final time. The crew righted her. but lost valuable time tn doing so. - Corianna. sailed for the first time by her new skipper M- Robertson, assisted by T. White, also per-formed-,well. The race was for skippers under 19 years. Eleven yachts started in a points race yesterday morning but only four finished the course. The final event for the day, the Tisdall Cup, was postponed and will be held at a later date. Results:— Points race. Start 11 a.m. For open class: Willie Winkie (M. Pullin), Bmin, llhr 41min 31sec, 1; Chinook (J. Tourell), 64min, llhr 42min Isec. 2; Cressy (R. Bargrove). 4£min, llhr 42min 46sec, 3; Finora (C. Banks), scr. llhr 44min 51sec. 4. BANKS PENINSULA CLUB The Banks Peninsula Cruising Club held its annual race from Lyttelton to Port Levy for the Scott Memorial. From Port Levy, the yachts continued the next day to Sumner and back to Diamond Harbour for the W. M. Cotter trophy On corrected time. H Thomas in Windward won both events. Mr Thomas sailed with his wife, six-year-old daughter and four-year-old son as crew. Wairiki (G. Dawson) —a new craft to Lyttelton—was second in the Scott Memorial race and W H. Browne in Murare gained second place in the Cotter trophy race, only four minutes behind the winner. > The final event for the season nas been postponed until next Saturday Results:— Scott Memorial Handicap; start 1.49; 7J miles: Tucana (H. Bachop and C Dickie) 1. Corrected times: Windward (H. Thomas), 4hr 17min. 1; Wairiki (G. Dawson), 4hr 20min, 2; Peri Banu (W. Cotter), 4hr 27min. 3 A Class: Wairiki 1. Peri Banu 2. Mana (O H. White) 3. B class: Windward 1, Minx (C. Kitson) 2. Highlight (E R. Morrison) 3. W. M. Cotter Trophy (.start 10.30). 13 miles: Tucana 1. Corrected times Windward, 2hr 52min, 1; Murare (W. H. Browne). 2hr 56min, 2; Highlight. 3hr smin. 3. A class: Murare 1, Fantasy (E. P. Wills) 2, Mana (O. H. White) 3. B class: Windward 1 Highlight 2. April (K Duggan) 3