YACHTING PROGRESS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 263, 3 August 1936, Page 11

YACHTING PROGRESS

Association’s Annual Report

Gratification at the resumption of Sanders Cup and Cornwell Cup contests on a fully representative basis is expressed in the annual report of the Wellington Provincial Yacht and Motor-Boat Association. After a period of dissension, during which the Auckland association stood out, both contests were sailed on Auckland harbour last year. The contests left little to be desired and the Wellington representatives in each contest sailed well enough to keep the issue in doubt until the deciding race. The thanks of the yachtsmen were due to Auckland yachtsmen for complete arrangements made for the comfort of the visitors and the successful conduct of the contests. Interprovincial yachting contests are on an easier basis than formerly, says the report, because the associations concerned have agreed to billet the crews at the contests. In order to make each of the contests as self-supporting as possible it is proposed that in future the crews chosen to represent the province shall be asked to bear a share of their travelling expenses. If this is done it is hoped to devote more of the income of the association in the general development of the sport within the province. The expenses of the Wellington association had been kept to a bare minimum and therefore within the amount of the annual levy collected from the clubs. This had relieved the association from the necessity of having to raise money from outside sources.

Last season was also a memorable one as it marked the inauguration of the interprovincial Idle Along championship at Wellington. It was a matter for personal congratulation to the designer. Mr. A. Harvey, and to the clubs who had fostered the class to find that it had become so rapidly and firmly established 'broughout the Dominion. The contest held at Wellington was also noteworthy inasmuch as three new yachting centres were represented. Nelson, Marlborough and Bay of Plenty. The Bay of Plenty representatives were congratulated on winning the first of what no doubt would be one of the principal yachting events in the Dominion in the future.

The report notes with regret that the Z class lias not made the headway in the Port of Wellington which the usefulness of the class deserves, and an appeal js made to clubs to stimulate Interest in that class. A meeting of yachtsmen has been called for next Wednesday evening to discuss the proposed new X class sail plan, the proposed change of ■ rig in Idle Along class, and the contests during the coming season. In the same evening trophies won during the past season will be presented as well as certificates to the representative erews in the interprovincial contests.