YACHTING NEWS

Evening Star, Issue 23501, 15 February 1940, Page 4

YACHTING NEWS

CENTENNIAL REGATTA DISAPPOINTING [By Leader.] Fixtures. February 17.—Port Chalmers (Wiseman Cup). February 24.—Ravensbourne regatta. March 2.—Port Chalmers and Raveusbourne B.C. March 9.-—Vauxhall B.C. (Sell Memorial and Vauxhall Cup). March 16. Ravensbourne B.C. (Cuthbert Cup). March 23 (Easter Saturday).—Broad Bay Boating Club. March 25 (Easter Monday).—Northeast Harbouf B.C. April 6.—Otago Power Boat Club. April 20.—Otago Power Boat Club. From many points of view the Otago Centennial regatta could not be regarded' as a success. For one thing there were nob the fleets forward that were expected—conditions were too rough. The Val, Eileen, and Colleen set off from the upper harbour to make the trip to Port, but under headsails failed to reach the starting line in time, . This would have made one really worthwhile race. As it was, with withdrawals through broken gear, the races were disappointing. There was only one capsize? but that* reduced an already small fleet of three. Two keelers had to withdraw, while even Sadie K wrenched away a rudder gudgeon and had to withdraw from the speedboat race. There have been some alterations to Evelyn since she came up from Southland that have made her a fast boat. Though an old craft, comparatively speaking, she has at present one of the most exact hulls —Ripple is another—of the 14ft fleet on tho harbour. She has been planed down in, spots, too, which has made a difference. It was not this, hoiVever, that took her into second place from Wampa, with Lynette in third place, last Saturday. Watchers on the wharf considered Lynette’s skipper made la tactical blunder in not keeping out when coming in to tho .finish (Colleen did), and so # getting under the lee of the hulk, losing a lot of the advantage he held earlier. It-was. a good performance on theday, however, conceding a good margin to Wampa and Colleen. \ Val put up quite a good performance on Saturday, not racing, but in baling out in the sea that was_ running after capsizing early in the piece. A point worthy of consideration that would save quite a lot of damage being done to capsized yachts would, be to have some means of letting the mast out after a, capsize, without a great deal of strenuous work; Some quickrelease device near the top of the mast carrying all* gear might do the trick,* if any yachtsman was patient enough to work out the- details. . The back,stay would always, give enough to let the mast come out, if the other gear was easily slipped. It would be necessary to have the standing rigging (and other rigging) fastened at the . masthead in such 1 a way that it could be released sufficiently, when working from a dinghy, to allow the sails -and gear to lie with the boat, and thus facilitate towing. Such, a device would save a lot of straining. Port Chalmers Club, The above club held a ifcries of races over the week-end, with fairly good entries. In the all-comers’ race starters were: Miti (scr),* Shadow (2£min), Foam (6nhn), Thermopylae (9min), Ramff (lOmin), Annette (HJrain), Toroa (14min), Val (17min), Shadow led on the first round, being displaced by Foam and Thermopylae. Miti and Shadow rounded the marjt on the wrong hand/ The finishing places on corrected times were Val smin 53seo ahead of Foam, with llanui 4seo back. Shadow, Thermopylae, and Miti finished next in that order.

In the 01 ipliant Cup contest tho competitors were Lynette (scr), Evelyn (scr), Wampa (3min), Manihi (3min). Colleen (6min). This attracted a good deal of interest, particularly as Manihi was entered in its first race in Port Chalmers waters. Lynette, Evelyn, and Manihi staged a great race, jockeying for position all the way. Colleen was also xvcll up with the leaders, hut Wampa had tailed off a little. Lynette was first across the line, followed by Manihi, with Evelyn next and Colleen only a minute behind. On corrected times Colleen was first. 2min llseo ahead of Lynette, with Evelyn third, 47sec away. Combined Yachtsmen’s Picnic.

The picnic will be held next Sunday at Company Bay, and a good attendance of yachtsmen is expected. The Port Chalmers Club has arranged foxtwo launches to convey the local people, and these launches will leave from tho Port Chalmers Club shed. Ravensbourne enthusiasts will be catered for by a bus leaving there at 10, and there will be another bus for anyone who requires it leaving the Queen’s Gardens at 10.15. A good programme has been arranged, and all clubs are training hard to. win the coveted tug-of-war shield. Hot water and milk will he provided, and, favoured by good weather, yachtsmen should have a real day out.