YACHTING

Evening Star, Issue 21037, 26 February 1932, Page 5

YACHTING

[By The Bailer Bot.]

YACHTSMAN’S CALENDAR. February 27. Ravensbourne Club jraces (Bowie Cup). March s.—North-east Harbour Club races and R.N.V.R. r. Sea Scouts. ■Vauxhall regatta. March s.— Ravensbourne Club races (Ross Challenge Cup). . March 12.—0.Y.0. second senes of races. , ~ March 19.—Ravensbourne regatta. April 2.—Oliphant Cup race and club races, Vauxhall. , „ „ April 9.—Vauxhall Cup and Sell Memorial Shield races, Vauxhall. REGATTA POSTPONED. RAVENSBOURNE FIXTURE NOW A ON MARCH 12. Dirty weather was responsible for the postponement of the Ravensbourne regatta/ which was to have been held last Saturday. Everything was in readiness for the event, when Saturday morning broke with heavy rain from the- noreast. As the morning wore on and the rain showed no sign of abating, several local yachtsmen, “ wet as shags, approached the commodore to find out ■what he thought should be done about it. About the same time telephones were busy all over Dunedin and suburbs trying to get in touch with the regatta officials. It is rumoured that “ Sandy ’ Grant was the unfortunate victim of most of the calls. The local baker, Mr P. O’Gomon, had a batch of delicacies all ready for the oven, and awaited the final word before baking them. Commodore Harridge, veteran yachtsman, viewed the ram (little else was visible from his front porch), and admitted that it looked pretty , hopeless, but he was reluctant to postpone the regatta, as he did not think it had ever been done before, and it might have cleared before the afternoon. The rain, however, settled the matter by coming down ever harder, and before long those good friends in emergency Were broadcasting the information that the Ravensbourne regatta was postponed indefinitely, but that the regatta dance would be held as arranged. Although the rain continued steadily all the afternoon it did not prevent several oilskinned and sea-booted yachtsmen, as well as many others not so well protected, from congregating in the boat shed to attend to certain urgent business usually connected with such things as postponed regattas. Many hands make light work, and the business was duly disposed of to the accompaniment of many of those tall yarns of past performances usually heard in a gathering of old yachtsmen. In spite of the weather the dance in the evening attracted quite a crowd, but the attraction evidently did not .extend to the' musicians,’ who, through a misunderstanding, did not turn. up. !An emergency call had to be made on local talent, and once under weigh the the function proved very enjoyable. The Regatta Committee has decided to hold the regatta on March 19, when it is to be hoped it will be favoured with better weather. A regatta dance will be held that evening j and tickets issued for the original one will be accepted.

CLUB NOTES.

—Ravensbourne.—

Owing to the fact that the Vauxhall regatta will be held on March 5, it has been decided to hold the race for the Ross Challenge Cup, which was originally set down for the same date, on February 27 at 3 p.m., when the following yachts will start:—lrex, Shadow, Minnow, Kia Ora, Vivian, Lassie, and Frolic. The race for the Bowie Cup will now be sailed later, the date to be arranged. The Ross Cup is open to boats owned in West Harbour, and the Bowie Cup to members of the Ravensbourne Boating Club. —Broad Bay

Recently the Broad Bay Boating Club made arrangements for the Easter races. It was decided to hold three yacht.races and an all-comers launch contest. The three yacht races are for 12ft 6in and under (once round, starting at 2 p.m.), over 12ft 6in and under 20ft (twice round, starting at 2,30 p.m.), and over 20ft (channel course, starting at 3 p.m.). The launch race (two rounds) will start at 3.45 p.m. Yachts 20ft and over will be handicapped by their skippers, who will meet on the wharf one hour before the start. A chart of the course will be issued to starters, whilst the start will be under Mark Foy system. All club secretaries have entry forms, and entries close on March 23, The committee is doing everything possible to make Easter Saturday a thoroughly enjoyable day, and yachtsmen are asked to give their support. -North-east Harbour.— The Sailing Committee of the Northeast Harbour Club has decided to sail, on Easter Monday, an all-comers motor boat race, an all-comers yacht race, and a race between the R.N.V.R. nd the local Sea Scouts. The club intends securing a new cradle for the slipway for the use of small yachts, rowing boats, and dinghies. Several members have the matter in hand at the moment, and intend constructing as light a cradle as possible. The large cradle is now being completed, and when this is finished the club will have thoroughly up-to-date equipment, capable of handling any launch or yacht on the harbour to-day. The club’s fortnightly dance will be held on Saturday night at the usual price, free bus included. The weather during the past week has not been very favourable for trips on the water, but several boat owners have been out for short cruises during the evening. Tui 11. is up on the slip for a dry out, as is also the yacht Vera. Rena is going much better now, her owner haying spent some time in making alterations to the engine. A new starting apparatus has been Secured by the club with a view to making conditions easier for competitors.

—Vauxhajl.—

Arrangements are well in hand for the Vauxhall regatta, which takes place on March 5. At the last meeting of the committee the starting times of the various races were considered, and the following times were fixed: —Yachts, 18ft and under, 2.45 p.m.; Shepherd Cup outboard runabouts, 3 p.m.; Allcomers’ Yacht race, 3.15 p.m.; motor boats, over 7 and under 9 m.p.h., 3.15 p.m.: motor boats, over 9 m.p.h., 3.30 p.m.; Sub. C. C. Wakefield Cup heat, 3.45 p.m.; sailing dinghies, 12ft 6in and jmder, 4 p.m.; 14ft Jellicoe class yachts, ]4.15 p.m.; motor boats, 7 m.p.h. and under, 4.30 p.m.; speed boats, including outboards, 4.45 p.m.: Ingram Gup, outboards, excluding runabouts, 5.10 p.m. The following officials have been appointed to control the regatta Commodore, Mr A. Burt; judges of motor boats and yachts—Messrs E. T. Moller |W. H. Sellj and J, Smai!l; yacht handioappers, Messrs E. W. Sell and H. C. [Brown; motor boat handicapper, Mr J.

Barton; yacht timekeeper, Mr J. Smaill; motor boat timekeeper, Mr W. H. Riddell and Mr W. G. Hewitt; yacht starter, Mr J. Cormack; motor boat starter, Mr J. Cormack; flag steward, Mr E. W. Sell; Press stewards, Messrs R. Hitchon and A. R. Johnston; convener Shore Committee, Mr M. Caddie; secretary, Mr H. C. Brown. Arrangements have been made for descriptions of the races to be broadcast by station 4YA from approximately 2.30 p.m. Mr H. Camp has kindly offered his services to the Regatta Committee to be the announcer. Loud speakers will be arranged at various points in the bay, and the public, besides watching the races, will be able to listen to a running description of the races. A brass band will also be in attendance on the day of the regatta. Afternoon tea, soft drinks, and other refreshments will be served at a nominal charge from one of the club members’ sheds, boiling water also being provided. Arrangements have been made to take visitors and children for short launch trips, a local club member having offered his launch for this purpose. FLOTSAM AND JETSAM. This is a reminder to yachtsmen of the concert to be held in the Portobello Hall to-morrow, under the auspices of the Broad Bay Boating Club, for the purpose of raising funds for the Sanders Cup and Cornwell Cup contests. The concert, which is being arranged by the Dunedin Orphans’ Club, should be of a very high standard, for the quality of this club’s concerts are well known throughout Dunedin and the surrounding district. All yachtsmen in the harbour are urged to give this effort their strongest support, in view of the laudable object for which it has been arrftncGu. Mr E. J. Kelly, of Auckland, left on a fortnight’s cruise in his motor yacht Linda last Saturday week. Mr Kellly will spend the greater part of his hohday deep-sea fishing at the Bay of Tissiman, the Lytteton skipper in the Cornwell Cup contest, was trained in the finer points of Takapuna boat sailing by Mr J. Mackay, of Auckland, who was chairman of the dominion conference this year. He has trained the winners of every contest except one, and in this connection it may be remarked that the Auckland crew this year elected to try several methods of 'its own, with the result that its showing was not up to the usual Auckland standard. —‘ New Zealand Herald.’