YACHTING

Evening Star, Issue 20995, 8 January 1932, Page 4

YACHTING

[By Squall.] YACHTSMAN’S CALENDAR. January 9.—Ravensbourne Boating Club’s races. O.Y.C. cruising race to Broad Bay. ' : , January 16.—Port Chalmers regatta. January 23.—North-east - Harbour Club, racss and ladies’ day. February 6, Burke»-Sfc. Leonards regatta. February 13.—North-east Harbour Club races. Launch and yacht races, Vauxhall. February 20.—0.Y.C. second series of races. • '■ * •? March 5. —North-east Harbour Club races and R.N.V.R. t. Sea Scout#. Vauxhall regatta. April 2.— Oliphant Cup race and elub . races, Vauxhall.’' • April 9.—Vauxhall Gup and Sell Me* mortal Shield races, Vauxhall. THE MOFFAT CUP-To-morrow will see the Ravensbourne regatta and the Otago Yacht and Motor Boat Club’s cruising race for the Moffat Cup from the boat harbour to the ~ Broad Bay wharf. The race js timed to start at 2.45, and the handicaps are as follow:

PORT CHALMERS REGATTA. Always a popular fixture, the Ports Chalmers regatta is sure to attract much attention. The prizes are handsome ones, and the sixteen events on the programme should cover the needs of all. Rowing, sailing, and the speed boats all have their fair share of the day’s sport, and if the weather is favourable a good day’s fun should result. If the stewards only keep the competitors up to time the spectators , will be .provided with plenty to occupy their attention. The entries are well up to those of former years. N.E. HARBOUR NEWS. Owing to bad weather on January 2 the club did not sail its two series of races, and the race for the three 12ft 6in and under for the Frolic, Harlequin, and Good Luck was to be sailed the same day. The races were postponed till a later date. All the local boats available are entering for the Port Chalmers regatta. The local boat Agnes was well m the lead at Broad Bay, when her sau ripped' and she had to retire. Cuff Churchill, her skipper, was a very disappointed man, as he almost certainly would have won. The boat was making great headway until the accident. Charlie Nelson was good enough to lend his 14-footer to Frank Shirmer for the regatta, and Frank made a good showing considering that it was his first race in a 14-footer. The Joan was towed home by the Stella last Sunday. The club intends to continue the regatta dances every fortnight, commenomg to-morrow, and if they are only half as popular as the former ones the club will be quite satisfied. Most of the club members attended the Broad Bay regatta in force as usual, and the club’s fleet was well represented. The Alma was the only one to pick up any prize money. . Boat owners are reminded that on January 23 the club will hold an allcomers’ yacht race and motor boat race. It is also, the club’s ladies’ day, and all will be provided with afternoon tea. The club is doing its best to cater for the small boats and dinghies, and u going to provide an up-to-date cradle on the shed slipway this season.

THE SANDERS CUP.

OTAGO’S CHANCES. ■ So long as the spirit of Otago yachtsmen remains as at present, the future of yachting in this part of New Zealand is far from bright. Mixing round among yachtsmen generally one nears the Heather ridiculed and her chances of winning the Sanders Cup put at nil. After all the Heather was put through her paces, in fair competition with other aspirants for the high honour of representing the province at the forthcoming contest at Wellington, and she came out victorious. It it is the opinion of yachtsmen that she is going to make Otago look cheap in the eyes of other provinces, would it not be better that ho boat he sent to Wellington at all, and the £SO or. £6O expenses involved saved? What encouragement is there for the crew, of the Heather to strive their utmost when their fellow-yachtsmen.laugh and sneer at their craft, and say that it /will turn turtle when the first breeze It b hard to understand the attitude adopted by yachtsmen, particularly, those well nip in yachting circles,, who adopt this r ‘ stinking fish attitude.Fortunately there are one or two or the older and more experienced yachtsmen who are rallying round the crew*, giving them the benefit of their knowledge and other tips which will assist them in the big contest. .Wellington is a tricky harbour, and it is not unlikely Otago has equal chances with the other provinces, and the writer s advice to the crew is to pay no attention to these pessimists, but to go ahead and do their best. Their provine© will not then be ashamed or them, and whether , they win or lose, their efforts will bo watched with great interest, especially by those whose interest in yachting does not take them into the inner circle. The Otago Association is to he commended for adopting a favourable yet cautious attitude towards .the admittance of Hawke’s Bay into this year’s Sanders Cup contest. The challenge was received after the closing day, and the Wellington Association asked the other associations to express an opinion regarding its acceptance. Hawke’s Bay lias, experienced a very trying year, and if it still retains sufficient interest in yachting to enter a challenge for the Sanders Cup, that interest should be. fostered in every way possible, even if it means putting aside one or two of. the rules. There seems to be a suspicion in the minds of some members or the. Otago Association, however, that this might be a move on the part of a certain northern Eince to secure a second entry. Ihe association proceeded cautiously, and the stipulations it appended to its approval or the acceptance of the challenge should leave the \N ellington body in no doubt as to its views.

Starting Starting No. time. h. m. s. Nell ... 1 2 45 0 Pacific ... .... 2 2 52 0 Ugie ... ... 3 2 55 0 Rover 4 3 0 0 Southern Star 5 3 2 30 Jewel .... ... 5 3 2 30 Nomad 6 3 4 15 Mavena ... 7 3 110 Iron Duke ..." 8 3 12 30 Imp ... ... 9 3 15 0 Stella. 10 3 17 0 Islay ... ... 11 3 17 30 Tuatea ... ... 12 3 22 0 Hawk 13 3 40 15 Argo ... ... 14 3 40 30