YACHTING

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 57, 1 December 1923, Page 18

YACHTING

(By

“Nereus.”)

COMING EVENTS.

To-day.—Race for yachts, centreboarders, and motor boats, Evans Bay Yacht and Motor Boat Club. December 8. —Club handicap for first, second and 18ft. and under class yachts, R.P.N.Y.C.; second race of the Port Nicholson Motor Boat Club.

Now that the three yachts competing in the local trials for the Sanders Memorial Cup have each won at least one race, it is impossible to foretell which of them will finally represent Wellington. As a result of the first two trials it appeared as if the final issue would bo fought out between Peggy and Claire. But the result of the race last Sunday morning dispelled that contention. Eynin thoroughly deserved to win, as she sailed a good race. Peggy has two wins to her credit, while the Claire, and Eynin have one each. Peggy has. sailed most consistently, for in addition to her wins she has been placed second twice. Claire would be happier, perhaps, in heavier weather than has been experienced. Eynin, of. course, has a heavy weather reputation. The position is now most interesting. The general public are beginning to take a decided interest in the trials. At Evans Bay last Saturday afternoon a large number of people followed the race as far as they could from the jetty. On the Evans Bay road numerous motor cars, and motor-cycles pulled up, and occupants couU be seen following the progress of the race. A favourite position to follow the contests over the harHour courses is from, the heights or Oriental Bay. Quite a number of people had their glasses on the yachts from various points of vantage last Sunday morning. How one incident will lose a yacht race was exemplified in the third trial for the Sanders Cup at Evans Bay last Saturday afternoon. The three contestants were making up from Shelly Bay to the winning line, and Claire had an appreciable lead. But to further enhance their position the crew decided to set a leading jib. The time lost in this manoeuvre enabled Peggy to cut Claire off. and thereafter Peggv was never headed. Claire not only 'lost the race, but dropped from leading position to third place. The judges, Messrs. W. Duncan, and D* Wall and “Nereus” followed the i-v-e last Saturday in the launch Swan. The officials and Press are obliged to the owners. , „ , The Napier 14-footer of Kona design, which is new being built by Messrs. Bailev and Lowe. of. Auckland, to represent Hawke’s Bay. in.the contest for the Sanders Cup, is to be named Konini. after one of the Inner Harbour bays of Napier bearing that name 'The vacht is estimated to cost £140.’ and will be skippered by Air. Neil Gillies. , The new Rona designer. Queen March recently built at Auckland, is creating much interest, according to reports from the north. She won her maiden race, from all the crack 14footers of Auckland, including Desert Gold and Rona. ■ Captain Col, MacDonald, formerly marine superintendent for the Union Steam Ship Companv and 1 now. residing at Macandrew’s Bay, Dunedin, has secured a 17ft. ship’s boat from Wcllington. which was taken south recently by the b.s. Atua. Captain MacDonald has since been busy cleaning and paintnig his craft. It is hi.s intention to use the boat for fishing and cruisino- in Dunedin Harbour. . Tliere are now three boats eligible to compete in the Canterbury trials for the Sanders Cun. which areAo commence to-day. Mr. S. Sinclair’s Linnet, of Lyttelton, which was built by J. D. Miller, Ltd., is. well known, havinrr raced at Dunedin, a-nd at Auckland as Canterbury’s representative. Lapwing, originally the Gladys, was designed by Mr. C." Miller, and sailed by him in the Dunedin trials . in 1920. Secret, the latest acquisition, was built by Mr. F. Morrison, and was launched at Redcliffs on th® opening dav of the Christchurch Sailing and Power Club’s season recently. So far she is a “dark horse” as to her sailing capacities, but to-day’s test should find her out. . ■ Mr. Palmer’s launch Waione made fact time in the race last Saturday. But when the handicaps were adjusted she was unplaced. The Waione is far and away the fastest launch in Wellington. and when she is entered for a race the handicapper has an unenviable task. But it is to be hoped that in the future she will at least be given a sporting chance of being placed in a race.

The Evans Bey Yacht and Motor Boat Club had ideal weather for their opening last Saturday The. gathering was a decided success and visitors enjoyed the usual hospitality of the club.

A working bee was arranged last week-end to lay another two lengths of rail on to the present Evana Bay slip. The work was accomplished very expeditiously. The programme for to-day will comprise a race for all classes, under the auspices of the Evans Bay Yacht and Motor Boat Club. It is anticipated that there will lie entries from the R.P.N.Y.C. AVaimoa came off the Evans Bay slip Inst Sunday afternoon. She has undergone extensive alterations. Auckland, indisputably, is the premier yachting centre of tho Dominion. The entries for the opening of the Auckland season numbered oyer 100 for craft of all types. In all there were 290 entries, but some of the boats competed in more than one race. At a meeting of the Auckland Yacht and Motor Boat Association last week, Mr. J. Johnston, the chairman, who has donated a prize of £25 for a race for the 14-footers at AVellington on Anniversary Day, said that at no time had he promised a cup for competition among Rona designers at the same time and place as the Sanders Cup contents. AVhat he offered was s prize rather than a cup, for he did not believe it a wise thing to have two runs , for competition, as the major event should 1 always be tho. Sanders Memorial Cup. AAbiat he desired was to encourage tho building of the Kona designers. The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club of Sydney held the race for the Rawhiti Cup last Saturday afternoon. This trophy, contested for by the lainest vachts, was donated by Messrs. 1 • Alfred and E. E. Sayer, the conditions being that to have permanent possession of the cup, a yacht owner must win three contests. Mi. a. "• Crane, with the Sunbeam, has won two races—-one in 1913-14, and again in 1920-21. The initial race was sailed in 1910-11, and was won by th- donors with Rawhiti, after which race the oup was named. The other yachtsmen who have wins to their credit are. Mr. R. AV. Pritchett, Ranee, 1911-12; Mr AV. if Marks, Culwalla 111, 191213: Mr. J. S. Palmer, Aoma, 1921-22, Mr. J. S. Brunton, Oenone, 1922-23. At the time these note* were written the result wse net available.