YACHTING

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 136, 5 March 1938, Page 2 (Supplement)

YACHTING

Idle Along Shield Race To-morrow SECONDS COUNT IN HANDICAP EVENTS (By Spinnaker.) Lawt year's winner of the Idle Along Shield races was itiptide, with v umpire and Damfiuo II close up. 'lhi« years race, which will be mailed tomorrow, should be interesting. The Idvairn Bay club will provide afternoon tea tor competitors and storage for gear and boats it it is needed by visitor:-’. Hie race will start at 2.30 p.m. from Point Jeruingliam. Ramsay and Levin Cups. Three competitions will be completed at Evans Bay to-day when the third and final races for these trophies will be sailed. lu the Ramsay Cup event for Idle AlongM tbe inurgiu beiweeu the lending boats is slight, and this jiosition also holds in the Levin Cup competition tor X, H and N class boats. The Tauranga class always strong at Evans Bay, will sail the final race for the Taine Cup, and in this final also the result will lie keenly watched. More Marconi Rigs. At least two, and possibly three, more Evans Bay boats will be setting sail under Marconi rig in the near future. P. Harleu may try the alteration this weekend in the Damfino 11 and U. Spears, skipper of Aileen, will shortly see yhat a change will do. The majority of Evans Bay Idle Alongs are rigged in this manner the notable exception being San Toy. Evans Bay boats seem to have performed as well, but no better, this season, so at least tbe change has not been for the worse. Every Second Counts. The number of times boats finishing behind the leaders in handicap races have lost placings because of careless manoeuvring is generally noticed by club timekeepers. Skippers in many instances seem to forget they have handicaps and keen sailing right up to the finishing line for long-handicap boats is the exception rather than the rule. Many handicap races have been won by seconds when times have been adjusted, and the point to be borne in mind by handicap contestants is that the race is never won till the times are worked out. The times cannot, be worked out till the ; race is over, so the only thing to do is finish as though you have the crack boat of the fleet on your stern. The King’s Yacht. The Victoria and Albert, which is now King George Vi’s yacht, is being outfitted in dry dock at Portsmouth. Considerable internal improvements have been ordered and the Queen is taking keen interest in the choice of new decorations. The King, accompanied by the Queen, the Princesses and a number of guests, is planning a summer cruise round the coasts of Britain in his late father’s yacht. Tbe cruise will probably be in August. It may be limited to the West Country waters or the King may decide to take his family and guests to the Scottish coasts on his way to Balmoral for an early autumn holiday.