OCEAN YACHT RACE

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 145, 16 March 1931, Page 11

OCEAN YACHT RACE

Start in Ideal Weather THREE VESSELS SAIL Rangi’s Late Departure SEALED HANDICAPS Bv Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, March 15. The yacht race across the Tasman commenced yesterday afternoon in perfect weather. Conditions to-day are again ideal, and the yachts should have a good start on the long journey —l2OO miles—across what is reputed to bo the stormiest ocean in the world. The Norwegian world-cruiser Teddy crossed the starting line at two o’clock, following a minute or two later by the Melbourne yawl Oimara. Forty minutes later the Auckland cutter Rangi crossed the line, after her hasty preparation, Auckland officers of the yacht squadron having refused to delay the start of the race to enable the three yachts to cross the line together. Large crowds assembled on the waterfront before the race, the competitors being given an enthusiastic farewell. Hundreds of yachts and launches followed the contestants down the harbour. Rangi, in raclpg rig, had already knocked ten minutes off her late start by the time she reached North Head. At the request of Mr. F. J. Bennell, of the Oimara, and Mr. Erling Tambs, of the Teddy, the time of the late starter was recorded, and allowance will be made at the finish of the .race. The Three Yachts.

There is not a great difference in the sizes of the three boats. Oimara, which is virtually the challenger, is 42ft long, 10ft Sin beam, and sft 9in draught. She has an auxiliary semi-Diesel engine of 20 h.p., for which she will carry 70 gallons of fuel, and carries a square-sail for use when running before the wind. The engine, of course, will not be used unless in case of dire necessity, in which event she would retire from the race. Her crew comprises Mr. Bennell,, skipper and owner; Captain H. J. Symonds, navigator; Mr. A. B. Monks, wireless operator; and Mr. F. Bennell, son of the owner.

Teddy is a cutter, without auxiliary engine. She is 40ft overall, 14ft. beam, and 7ft 3in draught. She is skippered by Mr. Tambs, whose crew includes two other Norwegians and a New Zealander. Rangi is' a well-known B class yacht, 42ft overall, owned by Mr. Alan Leonard, of Remuera. She was built as a fishing boat by Bailey and Ix>we, and up till two years ago was owned by Mr. Bercy Thode. A sister, ship to Rangi is White Heather, now owned in Wellington, " which has made the trip to the Chatham Islands and back. , She has an auxiliary engine. Rangi is navigated by Lieutenant-Commander W. C. Juler, late of the Royal Australian Navy, who was a member of the crew of Oimara on her recent trip, and who will sail Rangi back to New Zealand after the race. A member of the crew is Mr. D. Kirkcaldie, of Wellington. She will sail under the flag of the Akarana Yacht Club. ' The race is handicapped by the Melbourne New Zealand-to-Australia Yacht Race Committee, which will frame the handicaps from details supplied from Auckland while the boats are under way. The race will thus have the added zest of being sailed under sealed handicaps. May be Miles Apart. After passing Cape Maria Van Diemen the competitors will quite probably not sight one another again until nearing Sydney, and when they are many miles apart, as far as latitude is concerned at least, in mid-Tasman, different weather may be experienced by each. Oimara ha‘s a powerful radio transmitting set, and she at least will be able to keep the outside world informed of her progress. The race will end at Sydney, but Oimara and Rangi vyill probably then stage a race of their own to Melbourne. There is no trophy or prize at stake. A Melbourne enthusiast presented a trophy for competition, but hard and fast conditions were laid down for that. The trophy was presented solely for competition by auxiliary cruisers and the course was definitely fixed from Melbourne to Nelson. Passed Cape Brett By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, March 15. The light-keeper at Cape Brett reported to-night that the Oimara passed 'at eleven this morning. The Teddy and Rangi, separated by about a mile and a half, followed at three o’clock this afternoon. The Teddy was close in shore, the others about four miles out. The weather is fine, with a light wind from the south-east. MARANGI’S WIN Port Nicholson Events RACE FOR MILLS CUP Marangi had an easy win on Saturday afternoon in the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club’s first-class keel yacht race for the Mills Cup. The light weather evidently suited her, and she arrived home with half an hour to spare, followed by Rona and Aisla. Mini was placed first in the secondclass race for the Te Rura Cup, although Galatea was first., home, and Phantom secured a win in the 18ft. and under class. Detailed results are as follow: — FIRST-CLASS KEEL YACHT'S. (Mills Cup.) Marangi (P. Seott Ramsay), scr., shr. 41mln. 22sec., shr. 41min. 22sec 1 Rona (Hardham and Prince). ISmln.. 6hr. 7min. lOsee.. shr. 49mtn. lOsee. 2 Viola (C. Neal). 20imfn„ 6hr. lOmin. 20 sec., shr. 4l>mln. 50sec • 3 Also started: Alisa. Waiters I, Walrere 11, Atalanta. • SECOND-CLASS KEEL YACHTS. (Te Rura Cup.) Mini (30min.). shr. 50min. 56sec., shr. 20min. 56sec vt •• ’ ’ 7 Nanette (llmln.), shr. 45min. YOsec., shr. 34min. 20sec 2 Shamrock (40min.). Ohr. 20min. 13sec., shr.'4omln. 13sec 3 Also started: Galatea and Linnet. 18-FOOT AND UNDER CLASS. (Club Handicap.) Phantom (12min.). 4hr. 42min. 44sec„ 4hr. 30min. 44sec 1 Wellesley II (6min.). 4hr. 37min. 37sec„ 4hr. 31min. 37sec 2 Ngaio (lOmln.). 4hr. 43min. 50sec„ 4hr. 33min. 50scc 3 Also started: Clyde. Nancy, Klo 11. Indolence, Little Haste, Violet. Spray. Master Bltck won a race for seven-foot-ers (Tauranga class), with Master Prince second. _______