YACHTING NEWS

Evening Star, Issue 23496, 9 February 1940, Page 4

YACHTING NEWS

»■ CORNWELL GUP REPORT BURKES-ST. LEONARDS REGATTA LACK OF CONSIDERATION SHOWN [By Leader.] FIXTURES. February 10.—Otago Centennial regatta, Port Cbalmers. February 11. Oliphant Cup, P.C.Y.O. February 17.—Port Chalmers (Ww&man Cup). February 24.—Ravensbourne regatta; March 2.—Port Chalmers and Rarensbourne B.C. March 9.—Vauxhall B.C. (Sell Memorial and Vauxhall Cup). March 16. Ravensbourne B.C. iCuthbert Cup). March 23 (Easter Saturday).—Broad Bay Boating Club. March 25 (Easter Monday).—.Northeast Harbour B.C. April 6.—Otago Power Boat Club. April 20.—Otago Power Boat Club.. BURKES-ST. LEONARDS. Considering the weather that prevailed both before and after the BurkesSt. Leonards regatta, the committee must regard itself as being extremely fortunate. It was a splendid day, and both rowing and sailing events went off well. The absence of the all-comers’ race for youths was noted, but it is understood that the contestants were unable to negotiate the channel between the islands with the wind and tide that was running. Otherwise everything was as it should be with one exception. This was provided by the owner of a speed boat who demonstrated a lack of consideration for other users of the harbour. While the maiden fours rowing event was on he left the wharf and raced down tho course for 100yds or so, merely to drop an anchor. That lie cut across immediately in front of the race, and succeeded in nearly swamping the two leading boats may have been an oversight. It is, however, an unforgivable oversight during the running of a regatta. Incidentally, he finally dropped his anchor too near the course for comfort, but, compared

with the other action, this was one of little moment. Miss Otago arrived too late to take part in the race in which she was scheduled to start, but the crowd wore enabled to see her in two lengthy demonstration runs. She kept at all times well clear of contestants, at the same time giving a perfect demonstration. She will also be seen at Port Chalmers in the coming week-end. Five of the boats entered for the Xclass race did not finish, for one reason or another. Warn pa and Manahi did not compete, and this was a disappointment to many of the spectators. Lyncttc fouled Ripple right at the start and withdrew. Avenger was disqualified for carrying five of a crew, and Winifred capsized on the first run. Eileen lost a lot of ground on the last beat back to the finishing line, and some reason for this was perhaps given by the kelp which was entangled in her rudder. Evelyn came in first, only three seconds aiiead of Val. Eileen was nearly 10 minutes later, with Ripple fourth. PORT CHALMERS REGATTA, The Port Chalmers Yacht and Motor Boat Club has decided to hold three races on Sunday. The first race, for all yachts, will be started at 10 a.m., points to be awarded for the Ward Memorial Cup. The Oliphaiit Cup competition, which is open to 14-footers, will be the second racer In the afternoon a further race will be sailed for the James Holden Cup. competition for which is open to all boats. To any of the yachtsmen taking part in the re- : gatta who wish to compete' in the above races, the club offers its shed for the housing of boats and gear overnight. CORNWELL CUP CONTEST. The Armit brothers’ win in the Cornwell Cnp should prove of material advantage to their home town. It seems certain that the 1941 Cornwell Cup con-' test will be held in Wanganui. The rules covering the venue of the race state that the winner can claim home waters as the place for the next contest, providing the waters arc used by a yachting club for racing. Wanganui River fulfils these conditions. The twin brothers, who won for Wanganui its first national yachting championship trophy, Brian and Cedric Armit, explained that as the Wanganui Sailing Club held races every Saturday on the river and managed to get in quite a satisfactory course, there was a good chance that the contest would be staged in Wanganui. in Wanganui, they stated, was given little public support, and the staging of an event of national importance, drawing the cream of the Dominion’s yachtsmen in the class, would bring the sport before the public. They- would have an increased chance of retaining the cup for Wanganui, too, if the contest was on the river, and even if a new crew was selected next year Wanganui

would have a good chance of winning on its own course. YACHTING AS IT SHOULD BE. A report of the Cornwell Cup contest has fyeen. received by tho 0.Y.M.8.A., and some extracts from it are given; “ All the boats used in the contest were in good order, with the exception of the Irene (Tauranga), which leaked considerably, so that the boat steward .(Mr N. Matheson) had to effect repairs to make her fit for racing. It is interesting to note that the Otago boat, Pupuke, was sailed into a winning position on two occasions. Throughout the contest fine weather prevailed, the wind was very light, and breakages of S;ar were few’. The Wanganui crew. . and C. Armit, thoroughly deserved their success. They sailed fine, clever races, and on the weather formed the best crew in the contest. “ Our own boys, P. Ingles and A. Frew, performed most creditably. They were always in the hunt, _ and many Wellington yachtsmen considered they were extremely unlucky to come home with only one win. It is worthy of remembrance for future years that the Otago sail was the poorest in the contest. Throughout, the conduct of the crew, both afloat and ashore, left nothing to be desired. They worthily upheld the good name of the province. “ The racing was keen and well contested. The spirit of good fellowship and co-operation which existed among all the crews was most gratifying, and this, combined with excellent weather, made the. 1940 contest a perfect example of yachting as it should be.” The following table should be of interest ; First race —Wellington 1, Otago 6. Second—Wanganui 1. Otago 7. Third —Wanganui 1, Otagn 2. Fourth —Auckland 1, Otago did not finish. Fifth—Auckland 1, Otago 5. Sixth —Christchurch 1, Otago 5. Seventh —Otago 1. Eighth—Wanganui 1, Otago 4.