YACHTING

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 67, 21 March 1933, Page 12

YACHTING

IDLE-ALONG SHIELD

WON BY WORSER BAY

The second annual race ror the idleAlong championship shield was sailed at Worser Bay during the weekend. The course was from the clubhouse to the Seatoun Wharf, to a buoy off the Pinnacles, to a buoy off Karaka Bay Wharf, three times round, making a tGtal distance of eight miles. Idle-Along class boats proper were the only boats permitted to race. There were ten starters, five from Worser Bay, four from Heretaunga, and one from Evans Bay. The wind was a fresh northerly, which was very strong at times. Nevertheless, all competitors carried full sail. I The boats were started off under the1 five-flag system. The Eanui, Spinet, and Idyllic made the best starts, the other boats being bunched together a little behind. A severe squall overtook the boats when about to jibe at the Seatoun Wharf buoy, and.necessitated most entrants putting about. The squall eased just as the Spinet, Butterrib, and Idol came to the mark, and these boats unhesitatingly jibed and fell into first, second, and third positions respectively. The Kea snapped her mast on an attempted jibe. The Spinet then established a fair lead, but was eventually headed off by the Eanui, on the beat to the top buoy. The Eongaraai passed the Idol and gained third placed and the Heretaunga stood right into the bay and drew up on the Spinet, but the Eanui outpointed her and maintained her lead. Near the top buoy the Heretaunga had the misfortune to snap her fore-stay, and retired.

The order of the boats, rounding the top buoy was Ranui, Spinet, Idol, Rongamai, Idle-Along, Butterrib, Idyllic, and Colleen. Provided everything held on the Eanui the race was practically decided after the first round. The Heretaunga had apparently been her strongest rival, and as the race progressed she increased her iead to romp home the winner by nearly five minutes. The Rongamai had trouble with her jib and retired, as did the Butterrib. Spinnakers were used in all cases, and the boats showed amazing speed off the wind, and it was really fortunate that there were no collisions, as the yachts at times took control and charged down with the wind in a smother of foam. The Heretaunga Club was unfortunate, in that two of its boats had trouble and retired, but it was all in the game, and its boys were among the first to congratulate the crew of the Ranui, who sailed a splendid race to retain the shield for Worser Bay. Worser Bay boats filled the first, second, and third places, the Spinet and Idol finishing after the Ranui.

The finishing times were:—Ranui- (B Sang), 4h 10m 455, 1; Spinet (F. Christenson), 4h 14m 31s, 2; Idol (J. Fisher), 4h 15m 555, 3. Also finished: Idle-Alon" (4 G. Harvey), 4h 19m 455; Colleen, (I. Julian), 4h 21m 555; Idyllic (A. Sehvood), 4h 22m 455.

Next year's race will also be sailed at Worser Bay.