YACHTING

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 23, 28 January 1928, Page 24

YACHTING

•r "MAINSAIL" REAL SUCCESS MONDAY'S REGATTA NOTES ON THE RACING Monday's regatta was the most suo» cessful held on this harbour for 'many; years and was in every way a credit to the association's officers. The weather, for the first time in recent years, was all that could have been desired so far as the big boats were concerned, but the wind was rather severe for the small boats, although there were no capsizes. There were, of course, a few minor accidents, but this is always tha case where so many boats are engaged. One feature of the regatta was the" numbering of the competitors which' proved a real success. The idea, which, by the way, should have been, adopted years ago,, was generally approved by; the spectators who were able at last to follow the various boats round the courses. The field for the first-class race in the morning was rather disappointing. Wellington cannot boast of so many; first-class boats that any can remain' at their moorings on regatta day. Only six crossed the Hue on Monday. . The Ailsa, which appeared to be at the top -of her form was a fairly easy winner, both on finishing and corrected time, the Windward gaining second place, and the Viola third place. It is difficult to explain, how a boat of the Ailsa's size can beat the Marangi with so little effort in a breeze of wind. In Auckland, the Marangi had quite a good reputation in her class in all winds. The Venus showed in the second-class race in the morning that she had definitely returned to form. From the scratch mark, she ran into first place on corrected times. Expert sailing is the reason for her good performance. The Nanette was second and the Bawene third. The little Miru found the,' weather just too heavy for her, but in any case, she seemed to be handicapped by the heavy mast which lias just been fitted to her. , On paper, there was a good field ia the 18ft and under class event in the morning, but only a few of the entrants actually faced the starter. The Tui, which has been making a name for herself in the Evans Bay races of late, again came to light with a decisive win over the Coee and the Irex, also of the Bay. How the Irex, a true 18-footer, came to be beaten by the 14-footers is a matter beyond explanation when the conditions are considered. The Nautilus, the Illinois, and the Irex all had handicaps up to Bmin, yet were unable to get the measure of their little opponents. They should have filled the first three places. The two Wellesleys, the All Black, and the June were the starters in the Jellicoe class race, sailed in a nice breeze. The Wellesley 11. and the Wellesley I. were l^min and 2min late respectively crossing the line, and the All Black was rounded Coromandel the first time about smin ahead of the Wellesley 11. When the All Black was half-way down to the Clyde Quay; Wharf, it was. discovered that her centre-board would not function. The race was in hand, but bad luck prevented her from carrying on. She ultimately ran for the Boat Harbour. Th>s" Wellesley I. would have been an easy winner had she carried her spinnaker. The Wellesley 11., with spinnaker set, had no difficulty in passing her near the finishing line. The Ailsa had another good win in the general handicap in the afternoon, again putting up a good performance. The Marangi was second, and the Galatea third . A good deal of interest centred in the 18ft and under class open event in the afternoon, which naturally developed into a tussle between the Eona Boats. The Wellesley 11. and the All Black were neck and neck shortly after rounding Jerningham the first time. White took the Western course and Crawford the middle of the harbour, the former gaining a minute on the wind on the leg to Coromandel, while the Wellesley I. was some distance behind the All Black. The positions were unaltered on the run down, the Wellesley 11. rounding Jerningham with 2min lead on the All Black. However, on the beat in a hard breeze, the All Black gained on her rival and rounded Coromandel about half a minute ahead. Bad luck overtook the leader on the run down, spinnaker trouble occurring in a hard squall. One of the best finishes seen on this harbour then ensued, first one boat and then the other getting the force of the wind. Seven seconds from the line, the Wellesley 11. was four lengths behind the All Black. Then she picked up a squall, which put her across the line 2sec ahead bf the All Black. The Wellesley I. was third. On the last four occasions on which the All Black has met the Wellesley; 11., she has beaten her on the wind, and, to " Mainsail V mind, it has been mainly through ill-luck that she has not crossed the finishing line at least once ahead of the Wellesley. The Takapuna boats were poorly; suited by the weather, but did quite well. The Nukumai, fitted with an impromptu mast to replace that broken on Saturday, ran into first place, tha Wairuna, also of Petone, being second. The Worser Bay Club's Karkariki was third. The fourth entrant, the Bu* Bub, lost her mast. Sanders Cup Crew. The delay in announcing the crew ta man the Wellesley 11. at Stewart Island is causing some dissatisfaction, especially as some time has elapsed since the trials of the nominated yachtsmen were held. Comparisons are odious, but "Mainsail" feels it would not be inopportune to mention at this stage that the Auckland trials commenced five weeks after the Wellington trials, yet the Auckland boat and crew have already been announced. Races at Paremata. Sailing conditions were all that could be desired for the Paremata Club's week-end races, a fresh northerly; breeze and moderate sea prevailing. Four boats faceil the starter in the first' class event: Ariki (14min), Ibex (13 mm), Kotuku (4min), Kuini (scr). The Ariki, sailing better than she has previously done this season, was never headed, and practically won as she liked. Flacings and actual sailing times were as under: —Ariki, lh 9mia 30sec, 1; Kotuku, lh 6min 30sec, 2; Kuini, lh, 3min, 3. The Ibex had the misfortune to lose her stick shortly; after the start. Three boats sailed 4n the race for second-class boats, which resulted as follows:—Arahiwi (4min), 58min, 1; Melowed (scr), 1 hour, 2; Izza (4min), lh 2min, 3. In the launch race, Mr. Parkin's Ka»» rina again demonstrated that she is i% a class by herself, for, after conceding generous handicaps, she quickly over* hauled the limit boats, and went on ta win easily from Robt. E. Lee, witk Moki in third position. Motor-Boat Club's Picnic. If a northerly is blowing to-morrom the annual picnic of tho Port NichoJE son Motor-Boat Club will be held it Lowry Bay, and if a southerly, at Kan Bay. In the event of light weathe^ .-the venue will be Ward Island.