YACHTING

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 171, 7 April 1923, Page 18

YACHTING

(By

“Nereus.”)

The wintry weather aj> Easter was not favourable to yachting, but tins fact did not prevent most of the boats from having a sail. Races were to have been held last Saturday, but the wind and the rain interfered. Nevertheless,. Monday turned out fine and two fourteen footer events were_ contested The Clark and Morris trophy went To the Illinois. She was on the «ame terms us the Eymn and the ‘Peggy so far as the handicapping was concerned, and carrying more sails than either of the 14-footers, won comfortably r The Rona and A wla went to Port Underwood and the Galatea to Queen Charlotte Sound during the holidays. The weather was fair and tho crews report having an enjoyable time. The R.P.N.Y.C. are holding three races to-day. -There is a programme race for second and 18ft. and under class yachts and a resail race from January 20 for first-cla.ss yachts. Apart from being valuable trophies tho aggregate and championship cups for first and second-class yachts sailing under the R.P.N.Y.C.. are of more value to local yachting than would appear on tho surface. In the ordinary course of events yachtsmen’s interest in the sport would flag towards tho end of the season, but these cups act as a stimulant right at the needed time. Perhaps it is not until the last race that the winners are decided. A well-known Otaao yachtsman has intimated that he is prepared to present a cup to the boat that represents Otago in tho Sanders Cup contests.

The cup-will have inscribed on it the names of the crew selected each year to sail the challenger. This is undoubtedly an excellent proposal, and one that the Otago yachting body could hardly fail to accept. It is pleasing to note that the two new yacht and motor boat clubs the Port Chalmers and the Wanganui clubs—have made unmistakable signs of progress this season. The Auckland yachting season is almost at an end. Including to-day there aro only three more Saturdays. On behalf of the Evans Bay Yacht and Motor Boat Club, “Mainsheet” contributes flic following notes:— Owing to the fact that two of the boats entered for the Evans Bay Club’s ocean race, found that some members of the crews would not be available over the holidays, the race wa*\ abandoned. A meeting of fhe racing committee was held since these notes were written, for the purnoso of discussing the subject. A programme of all the resailing fixtures was also to be drami up at this meeting. It will be remembered that the ocean races of the R.P.N.Y.C. and the E.B.Y.M.C. fell on the same day, and in order to ensure a good race numerically, ■ the E.B.Y.M.C. postponed their fixture till Easter and joined up with the sister club. ■ The fine weather experienced during most of the holidays was fully appreciated by all boats, most of which were out fishing and picnicking. There were no races held by the E.B.Y.M.C. during the holidays.