SPECTACULAR FINISH TO YACHT RACE

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 73, 20 December 1937, Page 14

SPECTACULAR FINISH TO YACHT RACE

Evans Bay Centreboarders

ENTIRE FLEET HOME TOGETHER

More than a score ol yachts crossing the finishing line within ninety secondmade a {spectacular and exciting finish to the centreboarder races held at Evans Bay on Saturday afternoon. The entire centreboard fleet racing up the bay in massed formation, with the afternoon sunshine lighting white sails and multicoloured hulls, made a rare and beautiful sight. Officials of the Evans Bay Yacht Club stated that it was the first time within their memory so many boats had finished so close together in a contest ou Wellington harbour. There was no racing at the Royal Port Nicholson Yact Club wfi Saturday, so a number of harbour craft raced at the bay, making excellent fields in both centreboard classes. The X, II and N class was sent away at 3 p.m., and the I, E, Q and Zs a quarter of an hour later. The fleets sailed over different courses, but all finished with a beat up the bay to the clubhouse. The wind was light southerly and noticeably failing; toward the end of the afternoon it dropped to light al As the fleet beat back up the bay to the finishing line, in spread-out formation and with very little wind, a light easterly sprang up, so that the boats at the rear of the fleet began to close up on the leaders. The curious spectacle was seen of halt the fleet sailing with spinnakers set aim sheets free to a following wind while the other half headed in the same direction close-hauled to a head breeze. As the fleet came round the patent slip in a huddle it was anybodys race. Only Ariki, which had drawn well ahead ami was close to the line when the breeze changed, had any marked advantage. Officials and timekeepers had a hectic minute attempting to identify and time every boat, as with the wind aft they swept across the' line all together. The order was, of course, decided entirely by the handicapping. Jannet, after a not very successful earlier record this season, was placed first in the 14-footers and Ariki, in spite of her lead, was third, after Kio 11. Kitty, the Sanders Gup defender, was ninth. It was, however, a .day when luck outweighed skill; Kitty and Ariki were the two that showed up in the actual racing. Idono gained a lot of ground after the change of wind. Times and placings were: — Fourteen-Footers. Jannet (8) —5.6.55; 4.58.55, 1. Kio II (71—5.6.45; 4.59.45, 2. Ariki (24) —5.2.18; 4.59.48, 3. Also started: Conquest (6_i), 5.7.2, 5.0.32, 4; Lauchlans Jewel (5), a. 0.00, 5.1.33, 5; Idono (4), 5.6.115, 5.2.15, 6; Southern Maid (3j), 5.6.0, 5.2.30, i; Wellesley (4), 5.6.49; 8; Kuty (scr.), 5.5.50, 5.5.50, 9; KotafC (1), 5.6.55, 5.5.55, 10. > 12 Foot 6 Inch Class. Ranui (14) —5.6.57; 4.52.57, 1. Datrffino I (10) —5.6.1 a; 4.56.1 a, — Dorothy (11) —5.7.55; 4.56._a0, 3. Also started: Reo (10), o.i.i>2, d.iH.oZ, 4; Belvedere (2i), 5.6.48; 5.4.18, a; Aileen (2J), 0.6,49; 5.4.119, 6; Damfino II (11), 5.6.2; 5.5.2, 7; San Toy (2R 5.7,45; 5.5.45, 8; Pegaway_ (1), o-6-L. 5.5T7, 9; Vampire (scr.), 5.6.17, 5.6.1 <, 10; Riptide (scr.), 5.6.36, 5.6.36, 11; Mamuka (10), 5.29.50; 5.19.50, 12. Torment (12) and Adair (19), did not finish. , , , ~ It will be noticed that throughout the scratch boats were placed last, the limit boats first, on handicapping. Taurauga Class. Although no race was scheduled to take place in the Taurauga class, the boys were so keen and their requests so insistent, that a race was arranged, startin- at 2.52 p.m. Houdini sailed the best race, but Scamp won on handicap, having finished in second place. Placings Scamp (5) —-3.31.14; 3.26.14, L Houdini, Jun. (1) —3.30.21 ; 3._9.3'7, ~. Peewee (3) —3.33.34 ; 3.30.34, 3. Also started: Doris (<); 4.4-. -0, 3.35.20, 4. Doreen (scr.) did not finish. The Keel Yachts. Only four entrants took part in the keel yacht race at Evans Bay on Saturday. Viola had a comfortable win; Rawene and Maranui were the only other finishers. Viola, the scratch boat, came back at 5.23.33; Maranui (14) arrived at 5.55; Rawene (6) was ten minutes later. Muritai (22) came home under power.