YACHTING

Evening Star, Issue 21628, 25 January 1934, Page 11

YACHTING

CONTEST RACE POSTPONED WEATHER SQUALLY THIS MORNING Owing to the stormy weather the second race for the Z class yachting championship was postponed this morning till this afternoon. The race was scheduled to start at 10 o’clock, but tjie start was delayed by necessary repairs to several,of the boats. The unexpected delay was rather providential, as at 10.30 a squall of exceptional force burst from the south-west. Up to that hour the wind ivas bloAving Avith full force from the north-west, and the Aveather was sultry. The change of Avind Avas sudden. Only one boat had left the heat harbour when the squall swept across the city and doivn the Channel. It was the Pupuke, manned by the Lyttelton crew. The Pupuke Avas just outside the stone wall when she Avas struck by the gale. The boat became unmanageable as the boys attempted to run back to the harbour, and ran into the wall. Only slight damage was done to a coaming. The delay in starting the race was fortunate, as there_ is little doubt that the whole fleet of nine boats would have capsized had it been in mid-har-bour. ' The racing Was to be’ continued this afternoon at 2.30 o’clock, provided the weather conditions are suitable. _ The judges are not taking any risks, wisely, as should a boat be seriously damaged the contest will be inconveniently delayed. The draiv of boats for the second race is as follows:—Wellington, Noeleen: Plimmerton, Runa; Ponrua, Watti; Kaiapoi, Wet-U; Lyttelton, Pupuke ; Christchurch, Colleen; Otago, Wairuna; Port Chalmers, Kathleen; Invercargill, Rascal.