CRAFT AND THEIR CREWS

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 150, 21 March 1931, Page 15

CRAFT AND THEIR CREWS

ACROSS THE TASMAN

Views on Yachts’ Suitability

(By

“Nerius,”)

TO-DAY'S RACING. Evans Bay Club.—First-class Keel Yachts Handicap (Smith Memorial Challenge Cup) ; Centreboards Handicap (Lambcrg Challenge Cup). Plimiherton < ’lub.—Race for points fur Dallastun Shield. The Tasman Race. Considerable interest is being evinced in the ocean race now in progress from Aue .land to Sydney. The three entrants are Teddy (Norway), Oimara Melbourne, and Rang! (Auckland). Of these Oimara would seem to be.the fastest. with Rangi likely to have an advantage over Teddy in easy weather. In the case of gales or very heavy blows Teddy would probably have the advantage over both. The course of the race will be followed with interest, and every hope for a safe voyage for all. The principle entailed in giving official encouragement to a race of this sort would seem to have occupied the minds of members of several of the Auckland yachting chibs. While Teddy is a fine sea-going type of ship, designed for ocean voyages.and undertaking a trip which would have been included in her itinerary in the ordinary course of events, the cases of the other two entrants are not so justifiable. Risks of Racing.

Oimara, indeed, is a strong seaworthy type, and seems capable of undertaking such a crossing with a minimum of risk, but her trip has features which cannot ■‘entirely be recommended. Particularly is this so when it comes to a question of racing, states a southern writer. Ocean sailing is at tiny time risky enough, but to add the incentive to overcanvas and generally to take risks in order to outpace a rival is only to add to the already sufficient risk entailed. Rangi, gs far as can be gathered, is a racing rather than a cruising yacht. With her overhanging bow and counter, she does not appear in any way designed for running before, riding out. or breasting the notorious Tasman gales. There is no doubt that a craft could have been found in New Zealand waters much better suited to such an undertaking, and the very fact that no other entrant has come forward rather gives point to the risk inherent in such semi-racing cruises.

I’limmerton Jottings. A race for points for the Dallaston Shield was held at Plimmerton on Saturday. The course was a iriangulat one —southern buoy to outer reef to Maori Bay. Early in the race the lend was taken by Opawa, but was quickly overtaken by Iluia, which maintained the lead until the end. Results with actual sailing times are:—Huia (F. Bryant) scr., Ihr. 48miu. 23sec.. 1; Colleen (T Pickering) 25min., 2hr. 20min., 2: Opawa (H. Thompson) 14miu., 2hr. 2; Ttiakana (H. Waddel), 14min. 2hr. Jomin. lusec.. 4; Minnehaha (G. Redward), IBnlin.. 2hr. 24min. lOsec.. 5. In the second-class race there were three starters. Waione, Te Mare and Raumnti. but through faulty handling the boats did not complete the course.

Racing at Worsen Bay. A race was held last Saturday over the club's usual northerly course, the wind being an ideal full-sail northerly. There were eight starters and Demon secure I her first win of the season. Spitfire was first away with 12min.. but her handicap was disappointingly small, as she was passed by practically nil the boats on the first i beat. Iliue-te-wai with lOmin. was up aiiiong the leaders for some time, but not carrying a spinnaker was unable to secure a place. Pastime 7min. made good use of her new san, but lost all she gained on the run, not flying a kite. Ng.iru was sailed single-handed, and quite well at that, gaining a second place. Kiwi (scr.) bad . spinnaker trouble apparently, finishing fourth. Kin-

ishing times were: Demon (lmin.l, 4.18.0: Ngnni ("min.). 4.15.0: O.K. Bab.v (4min.). 4.15.20. Also started: Kiwi (scr.l. 4.17.0; Hiue-tc-wai (lOinin.). 1.20.20: Spitfire (12min.), 4.22.55_: Ngaronta (Sniin.), 4.28.25; Pastime (7mm.), 4.15.30. Reception to Betty’s Crew. Miniature cups were presented to the skipper and crew of Betty, this years winner of the Sanders Cup, at a social evening tendered by the Yacht and Abhor Boat Association on Wednesday. Congratulations were extended by the chairman of the association, Mr. A. W Thompson, and Mr. J. IV. McEwan, chairman of the Harbour Board. Replying to the toast of ’’The Crew,” Mr. A. Johnston said that it was good to know that Wellington would have the contest here next year, and not by courtesy of some other province. He paid a tribute to the crew, which, he said, lord worked splendidly.

WITH THE OARSMEN

Victoria College “Eight”

(By

“Cox.”)

FIXTURES. March 21.—Inter-Club Eight-oared Race at Wellington. March 21.-—New Zealand Inter-Provin-eial Eight-oared Championship at Dunedin. Inter-club Eights. The annual eight-oared regatta between the throe local clubs will be held this afternoon. There will be two classes — senior and welterweights. In the former. Star has entered two crews and Wellington and Petone one each, while in the latter Wellington and • Petone are represented by one crew each. The personnel of the Star crews is;— No. .1 : G. C. Cooke (str.), F. 11. Mullins (7). F. M. Bell (6), P. H. Field (5). S. L. Tansley (4). D. G. Gaue (3), D. Gray (2), and J. Cromie (bow). No. 2; R. A. Camerford (str.). W. J. Kemp (7). M. Martin (6). A. McGregor (5), 11. Greig (4). R. Grant (3), W. Webb (2), J. I. Cooke (bow).

Victoria College "Eight.” A strong combination has been selected to represent Victoria University College in the inter-varsity eight-oared contest, which will be decided at Dunedin on April 4. Jottings on past performances are of interest: — F. M. Bell has stroked the Victoria crew for the last two years, gild also rowed No. (I in the Wellington provincial crew last year at Auckland. He also stroked a successful junior four last season for the Star Boating Club. D. F. Gane (No. 7) rowed No. 0 «n the' Victoria boat last year, and also rowed for the Star Club last year behind Bell in the club's junior four. A. .McGregor (No. (5) represented his college last year as No. 3 and had useful experience in rowing, stroking the Star youths’ four this season. C. Dixon (No. 5) is a new addition to the eight this year, having gained his experience in the "3” seat .of the Wellington Club’s maiden four. He pulls a rugged but powerful oar. D. G. Steele (No. 4) is likewise rowing for the club for the first time, having learned his rowing at Wanganui College, which he represented in the annual boat race against Christ’s College. W. J. Kemp (No. 3) rowed last year in the Victoria boat as No. 5, and was also a member of a successful Star maiden four last season. His weight and experience in the bow-end of the boat should make' for a well-balanced combination, considering the two' relntively light men in .the "2” and bow seats. W. K. McGavin (No. 2) has rowed tn the eight for the last two years, and although somewhat light, is nevertheless a tellable and efficient oarsman. R. Grant (bow) has made very rapid strides in rowing since he adopted the sport, and rowed "3" in the Star lightweight maiden four last season, which was successful at this year’s championship regatta.