MILLS CUP

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 54, 5 March 1923, Page 3

MILLS CUP

'A WIN FOR RONA.

One of the Koyal Port Nicholson Yacht Club's most important annual races,, the race for the Mills Memorial Cup, was sailed .on Saturday. A light southerly breezo prevailod, and those of tho publio who availed themselves of the oppor' tunity of following the race in the ferry steamer Duchess had a very pleasant and interesting aftoruoon. The following yachts started: Marangi (sor), Rona (4min), White Heather (174 mm), Kbtiri 11. (S^min), Kotiri I. (16* mm), Ailsa (16|min), Wanderor (20£min), Viola (18£min), and Atlanta (18min). The yachts started woll at 3 o'clock, nnd with topsails and leading jibs 9efc, ran across Oriental Bay in a bunch, and all rounded the Jerninghatn buoy within a minute. On Ilia run to Korokoro, where the Galatea acted as mark boat, all the yachts set spinnakers, and presented a fine sight, all close logothor and running neck and neck.

Rona and Marangi gradually drew ahead of the remainder of the fleet, and when Hearing the mark were about a minute ahead of tho third boat (Kotiri II.). On reaching the mark boat, Rona was slightly ahead of Marangi, and had the inside running, and rounded first. Marangi then " cut in " between Rona and the mark boat, and attempted to gain tho windward position, but failed, the Rona again.. proving her undoubted superiority wnen " jammed." Kotiri 11. was third boat to round tho mark, with the remainder of the fleet practically all together, about a minute later.

On the slog to windward to the. pinnacle buoy Rona. Marangi, and Kotiri 11. cleared the southern .end of Somes Island on one " board," whilst all" the other boats, were " headed off " and forced to put in another " board " off the lighthouse. On the windward work Maran.gi again passed Roiia. but threw away ohances in the race by working the eastern shore, where there was very little wind. All the other yachts worked the western side of the entrance, and appeared to hold a fairly steady breeze.

-.larangi rounded tho pinnacle buoy first about one minute ahead of Rona, with White .Heather sailing remarkably well third. During the run home the wind veered to tho east, and tho yachts were unable to set spinnakers until off Mahanga Bay. At' this stage Rona set her spinnaker smartly, and again pulled away from Marangi. and was nevor caught, ■j-otiri passed White Heather on tho run from the Pinnacles, and finished third, with the latter yacht fourth. The corrected finishing times (with handicaps deducted) place file yachts as follows:— Rona 1, ilarangi 2, White Hoather 3.

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