YACHT RACES.

Evening Post, Volume LII, Issue 156, 23 November 1896, Page 2

YACHT RACES.

The first of the handicap races which the Port Nicholson Yacht Club has arranged for the season of 1896-97 was sailed on Saturday. There was a light northerly breeze, with smooth water, and some of the boats made excellent times. The competitors in the first-class race were the Waitangi (scratch) and the Maritana (12min). Both crossed the line together, but the Waitangi, which was carrying more rail than her rival, soon assumed the premier position, and maintained it to the finish, winning by about 7min after allowing the Montana 12min. On the run to Worser Bay from Point Gordon she carried a jib topsail, a gaff topsail, and a spinner, and she also had the assistance of those sails in coming down from Petone. She was well handled by Mr. J. Jamieson, one of the owners. The Maritana, with Mr. G. Martin at the tiller, was under lower canvas throughout, and did very well under the circumstance?. There was a very close finish in the race for second-class yachts. The boats which competed were the Rona and the Atalanta (scratch), Mahina (6min),' Mapu (Bminl, Waiwetu (12min),and Jennie Reid (20min). A capital start was made, and the boats looked really well as they went bowling down to the Point Halswell buoy, preparatory to flattening sheets for the beat up to Petone. The Mapu was tho first to cross the line, but she was soon overhauled by the Rona, which finished several minutes ahead of the Mapu, but on time allowance the latter won the

race by 55 secondsy the Mahina,- which arrived a length or so behind the Atalanta, being placed third. The Atalanta was fourth on time allowance. The Waiwetu finished a long way behind the Mahina, while the Jennie Reid was last, the wind being much too light for her. The Mapu was aided on the run down from Petone by a large Yankee topsail. The Rona and the Atalanta also carried kites, but the Mahina was under plain sail throughout. Mr. F. L. Biss acted as handicapper for the first time, and was warmly congratulated on the success of his maiden effort. Mr. J. B. Speed, Secretary of the club, was starter and judge.