With the Yachts

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 23, 27 January 1923, Page 14

With the Yachts

THE REGATTA

SAILING IN A CLAM

A DISAPPOINTING ANNIVKR- - SARY.;

COMING EVENTS. To-morrow —Port Nicholson Motor-Boit Club PiCDic. January 30—Sanders Cup Contest commences . at Auckland, jseforuary 3—B.P.X-Y.C. Oceao - Eacis; Inter- * cluß Cup Race.

(By "Mainsail.")

The unsatisfactory weather on Anniversary Day was a disappointment to many yachtsmen, but it did not altogether spoil the regatta, and a good deal of pleasure and fun was derived- by the participants in the races; despite adverse conditions.■■. It is strange that on tha, very day. -when a good breeze is most desirable, winds for which Wellington is notorious should be lacking. It was an irony of fate which perhaps yachtsmen alone deplored, on Monday. However, there was some wind, and #ie courses were completed. in most "races, so there was consolation in the thought that things might have been worse. It was a typical Wellington change that occurred at half past 2. There was a complete frtU for a couple of minutes. Then the clouds in the upper atmosphere commenced to move in the opposite direction. This signalled the arrival of a spanking wind which blew up from the north, and the next minute crews were busily ertgaged in taking in sail, while the boats at anchor just outside the Boat Harbour became' very ' restless. Encouraged by the sudden change, the owners of the larger yachts put their topsails ashore, thinking that they would not require them in "the afternoon race. The wind hetld splendidly for a little over an hour, and the ■ race was .not half sailed when a lull occurred, and the harbour wai almost as calm as before. Without the services of their extra canvas, the larger boats were at a disadvantage, the smaller craft, which had retained their extra sail, were able to run it up. An amusing incident of the calm was witnessed at the conclusion of the races, when White Heather, carrying a .large crew, was paddled towards the .Boat Harbour by three or four oarsmen. N

Yachting is a sport in which little outside enthusiasm is displayed. It has not the element of excitement in it for the spectator such as those forms of sport which are indulged in ashore. The sight of a large fleet of cleanly-built and neatly-canvassed yachts engaged in a keen race is impressing more as a spectacular treat than as an event to arouse real interest and enthusiasm. This much in an attempt to explain the possible reasons why the regatta did not attract a larger crowd to the wharves and the waterfront on Monday. There was never any great display of interest oa the part of the general public in tho anniversary regatta, and some thirty years ago the historic event was threatened with abandonment. Fortunately a section of enthusiasts discussed the matter, and as a result the management and control of the Anniversary Day racing -was entrusted to the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club. Had it not been for this change the sport would have suffered, and the annual regatta might have been no more, or perhaps only spasmodically ' held. An old yachtsman who watched • the racing from the end of the Clyde Quay Wharf "on Monday deplored' the lack of interest- in the regatta, as evidenced by the thin attendance of people at that vantage point. " Why," he-was heard to remark, in disgust, " |here is -\ more interest amongst the farmers at Port Levy." ■ ' A number of yachtsmen were some-: what mystified to see a boat named Peggy entered for the 20-foot and under class in the rqgatta on Monday. She was readily recognised, however, as the late Poneke, which, although sailing under a new name, still bears the same distinguishing colours. She changed hands recently, having been acquired s from Mr.^-H. Kbberts by Mr. Clunies . Ems. The boat upheld her reputation, by winning the race, but a protest was lodged against her by Mr. Johnson, of Cooee, who alleged that she : fouled Kewpie. The Sailing Committee has at least three complaints to investigate arising out of the regatta. Arrangements have been made by the Evans Bay Yacht.and Motor-boat Club for the annual picnic for limbless soldiers, to be held at Mahanga Bay on 11th February. Four yachts Snd a, large flotilla' of s motor-boats will convey the guests, who 'will be embarked irom the' Customhouse Steps. An attractive programme of sports, etc., has been drawn up, and if the weather is- fine the outing should be an even greater success than in previous years. • In view of the fact that tie .ocean races of the Eoyal Port Nicholson .Yacht Club and of the Evans Bay Yacht and Motor-boat ClnfT aw scheduled for the same day (3rd February), members of the latter" club have decided to postpone their own race and join in with their sister club. The Evans Bay ocean event will probably be held at Easter. The course to be followed by the con.-.-., testants in the race for the Inter-Club Cup, to be sailed in Evans Bay on 3rd February, will be a triauguljir one, the distance being seven miles forty yards. The annual picnic of the -Evans Bay Club will be held at Worser Bay on 26ta February. ' , '

A boys' yacht race is. set down on the Evans Bay Club's programme for today. It is pleasing to see that the club realises the value of training its young blood. An early grounding in the sailing of the larger craft will jepay the club later on. To-day's race is for lads under the age of sixteen years' who sail in the centre-boarders, and is a, general handicap for yachts... The winner will hold for one year the fine cup presented for the. event. I Tlie yacht Amai has been purchased by Mr.. M'GoWrick. Wanderer was slipped foir cleaning purposes at the Bay last week, and what might have been a serious misfortune for her occurred as she was being let back into the water. The lashings to the arms of the cradlo were inadvertently slackened, leaving one side of the boat entirely unsupported. It so happened .that there was a good deal of human ballast on tha weak side, and the vibration caused by the running of the cradle resulted in the yacht falling out flat. By'that time, however, she had a few feet of water under her, and she suffered. no damage. She was soon .righted. ■.- i The Wellington representative'for the Sanders Cup races left for Auckland by rail on Monday night, and the crewfollowed by Wednesday's express. AH the boats are now in Auckland. Tha Dunedin boat, Winifred, was damaged in transit, having a hole in her port side near the'stern, but the damage -was'• not serious. The contestants will compete on Monday for the Ross ,Cu P , and this should give the visitors to Auckland an opportunity to get acquainted with conditions on the Waitemata.. It is proposed to complete the raciSs. if. possible, between .Tuesday, 30th January, and Saturday, 3rr! Fr" -vary, holding two races a duy if possi ..-. May the best boat win!