ROYAL PORT NICHOLSON ACTIVITIES

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 36, 12 February 1938, Page 23

ROYAL PORT NICHOLSON ACTIVITIES

Saturday provided an interesting contest amongst first-class keelers of the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club. The race ended in a win on handicap for Argo, with Ailsa second. Argo, Ailsa, and Viola made good starts, with Nanette and Astral further back. Astral was sailed by Bob Prince, and held the weather position on the starting line, but lost the wind completely in the lee of the wharves at the critical moment, thereby losing about three minutes at the outset.

The Ailsa led at Point Halswell and maintained a slight advantage round the leeward mark. The Argo and the Viola had pursued her closely, the latter being the only boat to hoist her spinnaker, without, however, much noticeable effect. On the beat to Somes Island buoy, the Ailsa's windward qualities were again demonstrated, and she rounded this mark three to four minutes ahead of the Argo, which had a similar advantage over the Viola. By this time the wind was dropping, as were also the Astral's chances of making up on the leaders. The Argo gained on the Ailsa on the reach to the finishing line, crossing it 31- minutes behind her, and with 4' minutes handicap secured first place. The Viola being third. The Astral's bad start robbed the race of some of its interest. The Seabird won the second-class keelers' handicap, with the Maranui, the scratch boat second, and the Yvonne third.

The alternate race for centreboards had but two entries, the Advance and the June. This was disappointing, but in some measure understandable with the Impudence on the way to Hobart, and the Kitty not then back from Dunedin. Moreover it was raining. The Advance held a commanding lead at Point Jerningham, but while the crew were attempting to substitute the worker for their very effective leader, the latter wound itself round the plate. In the resulting excitement it very effectively displaced the plate which turned through ninety degrees, or according to some reports 180, enforcing retirement and a hurried return. The June took first place prmBmK£?\;9BKB®SBBm

by leisurely completing the courseleisurely because her new skipper, Frank Ballinger, was not sure which was Coromandel Buoy, and to make certain went round the lot.

Sunday was a chapter of accidents, fortunately none serious, but considering the way in which the wind increased and the number of white squalls. which swept the harbour any one of them might have had lasting consequences. The Argo created excitement at Somes by dragging her anchor and fouling the Rona, but was quickly cleared. The Seabird broke her tiller off Oriental Bay, and was brought up into the lee of the wharves with mizzen and jib, where temporary repairs were effected. The Lonesome, under jury rig of worker and leader, set as staysail capsized off Evans Bay. This gives some idea of the strength of the gusts. The Lonesome was righted with neatness and dispatch and was beached in Oriental Bay from whence she was transported to the Boat Harbour by trolley. Nigel Blair's decision not to retire from yachting entirely, but just from Sanders Cup contests, has created general satisfaction. His advice may have material bearing on the winning or retention of the cup by Wellington in future seasons just as his skill, coupled with Mr. Wagstaff's generosity in making, the Kitty available, brought success this year. To Mr. Wagstaff, in this connection, is due the club's best thanks.

her return from Dunedin. Thistwas unfortunate for her, as' she stood; an excellent chance. The .field wag a varied one, 14-footers, Idle Alongs, and Takapunas taking part. The Idle Alongs Vampire.andliiptide were the first boats home, and it would appear that these two are superior to most 14-footers in the heavy weather. On corrected times, however,. Pat Miller's Damfino I was awarded the trophy, and so this member of the Takapuna class holds the trophy, for a year.

For the two previous .seasons :the,ldle Alongs, Pegaway and Riptide,, have won the cup, but this season the Takapunas put a stop to it. This .class continues to grow steadily, arid there is talk of yet another addition. Rumour has it that Peter Cooke and *Chook" Fowler are buying the ex-Bryony from a Plimmerton owner, thus increasing the class at Evans Bay to about eight or nine. On account of the forecast for rising wind, the limbies' picnic, which was to have been held at Worser Bay, was cancelled, but the guests were entertained for the day in the clubhouse by the committee and club members. Various games and competitions were held, and lunch and afternoon tea, together with fruit and sweets for the kiddies, were provided. During the morning and afternoon;, the guests of the club were taken' iof .trips in launches and yachts. In- the afternoon the race-for centreboarders for the Limbies' Cup attracted a large field, although some boats were prevented from starting owing to their skippers being engaged in arranging matters in the clubhouse. However, a

field of fifteen boats got away, to a bunched start/and they made^'fine sight for the many spectators. The course was arranged so that the .boats were at all times within sight of the clubhouse, so that the "limbies" and their friends had a good view of; the event. At the start,a iresh northerly was blowing, and most contestants had one or more reefs down. In the first two laps the breeze slowly freshened, and many thrilling sights were to be seen as the boats planed on the run.

Vampire broke another lobstay' and. consequently Dick Julian, who was on the mainsheet, fell into the ditch; not the best way of taking a swim. However, he was just leading'the way for others, as in the last round the breeze started to come down in gale force. White squalls put in an appearance to try the yachtsmen, and great was the havoc. Boats were capsizing right and left, and the bay was dotted with many sorry figures clinging to and trying to right their boats. Those that did right them, however, were lucky to stay that way, as the squalls nearly capsized them under loose spars.

Pegaway did her best to capsize right in front of the clubhouse, but although the boat lay out so that the crew were nearly riding the plate, the skipper just couldn't manage to capsize her, and she ran on to the beach, half full of water. Riptide tried to set a spinnaker on the last lead, but sulfered a badly-battered spinnaker and sheet for. her trouble. Wellesley, sailed by I. Kirk, was the winner of the trophy, but a protest has been lodged against her. ■ . Although the weather was not as kind, as it might have been, it is thought that everybody spent a most enjoyable day as guests of the club, A yachtsmen's evening and smoke concert is to be held in thfe clubhouse next Saturday night to .-honour the Sanders Cup and Idle Along championship winners.