Yachting

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 17, 21 January 1939, Page 20

Yachting

FULL FLEETS FOR R.P.N.Y.C. RACES

MANON TAKES GREY CUP ON HANDICAP

Unfortunately a missing buoy will necessitate the keel yacht race being resailed. This nullifies what would have been a good race, all the fleet finishing within a few minutes over a fifteen-mile course. From a perfect start Viola lead Kotiri round both Point Halswell and the Southern Blinker, with Atalanta and Kotiri in third and fourth places. Kotiri and Wylo were the only two to set spinnakers, the former's' being a large affair of 350 square feet, which gave the crew sufficient trouble at the leeward mark to set them back several places for the beat to Somes Island.

Atalanta, with her Genoa doing excellent work, was first to Somes Island, followed by Wylo, whose new rig and sails have made a wonderful difference to her performance. Viola, under new ownership and sailing her usual good race, was third and this order was unchanged at the finishing line. Astral did not show to advantage, further adjustments to her rig having yet to be made. Isca's performance with new sails is conspicuously improved, though she could never be termed a fast ship. Miro carried away a shackle and retired. Argo did not start:

The centreboard race tor the Grey Cup resulted in a win for the Idle Along Manon, which won comfortably on handicap from a combined, centreboard fleet. Innocence, Advance, and Manon led round Jerningham beacon, Jean having dropped back after an ineffectual attempt to set a shy spinnaker. Immediately after rounding the mark Innocence's teething troubles recommenced, a spreader breaking and necessitating her retirement. At Coromandel, Advance was leading com-

A fresh northerly last Saturday made for good racing, when full fleets both of centreboarders and keel yachts from the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club made a fine showing on the harbour. The usual lethargy induced by Christmas seems to be disappearing. The ".softies" are retoughening up and should be in good fettle for Anniversary Day racing.

fortably from Jean with Elaine and Manon following but dropping further back. This order was unchanged round the Clyde Quay buoy and Jerningham beacon. On the second beat to windward, however, Jean closed up on Advance and almost weathered her on the windward mark, but with the advantage of a larger spinnaker the latter increased her lead on the final run to be first home by a minute. Handicap platings were Manon (21 mm), Elaine (13min), Advance (2min).

This race was notable for the number of scratch crews, Advance, Jean, and Ranui all sailing with improvised combinations. . Innocence sailed with only three men. The reconditioning of the club's starting gun fulfils a much-needed want and provides endless entertainment for the small-boy element. Herb. Fitzgerald has threatened to use live shells to pepper any yacht which beats the gun. \

The club, together with the province, extends its congratulations to Bay of Islands on carrying off the Idle Along championship, though' it would doubtless have been more satisfactory to the victors had the issue been clear cut.

Rose Marie, the new Dominion champion, has an interesting development in splash-boards which are flush with the deck and canvassed over as part of the deck, making a very neat finish.

Given decent weather, the Wellington Association Regatta on Anniversary Day should be full of interest, the courses being arranged to give the public the best possible view of-,the events. Point Jerningham will be aa good .a place as any, from which to follow the majority of races. ,