THE AUCKLAND YACHTING CARNIVAL.

Evening Post, Volume LVI, Issue 155, 29 December 1898, Page 2

THE AUCKLAND YACHTING CARNIVAL.

THE AUSTRALIANS BEATEN IN THE FIRST RACE. [by telegraph— press association.] •Auckland, 28th December. The first race of the" Intercolonial Championship contest (to be sailed in three races) for one-rater yachts, the prize being £100 and a,' challenge cup, was sailed in the harbour, to-day. ' The' event aroused much interest, especially in view of the fact that two Australian yachts (Geisha, from Adelaide, and Bronzewing IV., from Sydney) were competing. There were nine starters consisting of the following boats : Alma (Messrs. Bailey and Lowe), Bronzewing IV. (Mr. Hordern, of Sydney), Geisha (Messrs. Rymill Bros., of Adelaide), Laurel (Mr. C. Bailey, jun.), Mahoe (Messrs. Stone Bros.), Maka Maile (Mr, J. Clare), Mercia (Messrs. Logan Bros.), Van Ora (Mr. F. Trice, of Howick), and Waitekauri (Mr. C. Collings). The course was from Calliope Dock, round a mark off Stanley Point, thence round a mark in Hobson's Bay, thence round a mark in Rangitoto Channel, twice round, being a distance of 18 miles. The wind was light from the north-east at starting, giving a lead down the harbour, a beat through Rangitoto Channel, and a run back into the harbour. Laurel was first away, followed by Alma, Mercia, Geisha, and Bronzewing, and the remainder in a bunch. Laurel first rounded the buoys off Stanley Point and off Hobson's Bay, but lost her lead in Rangitoto Channel through getting into doldrums. Mercia then overhauled her and got first round the Rangitoto buoy, after which nothing but Mercia was in the race. Alma got second in the channel, but Laurel overhauled her, and the race resulted in Mercia winning' ■ by about ten minutes, Laurel ! second', Alma third, Maka Maile fourth, Waitekauri 1 fifth-, Geisha sixth, Bronaewing IV.. seventh. The following are the times : —Mercia, shrs. Binin 45sec ; Laurel, shrs*lBmin ssec ; Alma, shrs 25min. ! [The Mercia was specially built for the i race. She is made of cedar, and is a great deal lighter than any of the other boats. The Bronzewing was designed, by G. L. Watson, of Glasgow, and built by the Fifes, of Fairlie, Scotland, and is the i fifth yacht which that celebrated firm has turned out to Mr. Hordem's order. ' The ' Waitekauri was built on the Upper Thames goldfields, and had to be carted 12 miles before she reached the steamer which was to take her to Auckland. ' The Messrs. Logan, of Auckland, owners and builders of the winning boat, are well known in Wellington, and several yachtsmen here have sent telegrams congratulating them on their success.]