TASMAN YACHT RACE

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 December 1934, Page 4

TASMAN YACHT RACE

ONLY TWO STARTERS. [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION,] AUCKLAND, December 9. Two yachts, the Auckland sloop “Ngataki,” and the German yawl, “Te Rapunga,” started in the trans-Tasman race from Auckland to Melbourne, which commenced off the Akarana Yacht Club’s clubhouse in Judge’s Bay, shortly before three o'clock on Saturday afternoon. Very boisterous conditions prevailed in the harbour, a strong easterly wind causing a short choppy sea. A large number of people gathered round the shores of the bay to watch the start. There was hardly standing room on the foreshore in the vicinity of the. clubhouse, while many scores of cars were parked on the waterfront road. Some of the more enthusiastic spectators took up points of vantage on the eastern deflector. In spite of the rough nature of the harbour, a large number of yachts and launches appeared to bid fare- ■ well and escort the competitors down ‘ the harbour. The wind was so strong that most of the pleasure yachts were sailing under trysails, or heavilyreefed mainsails, and were throwing clouds of spray from their bows. With the sun shining on their white sails, they made a brave showing. At 2.41 p.m., the preparatory gun was fired from the markboat by- Captain Sergeant, and the “blue peter’’ was run up to the masthead. Five minutes later, there was a second flash and bark from the gun. The race of 1,630 miles had commenced. Doth yachts were to windward of the line, and coming down off the wind with “the bone in their teeth,” they presented a memorable sight. The German yacht soon showed her •superior speed, when close-hauled, and before 500 yards had been covered, she had overhauled and sailed to windward of the Ngataki. The Auckland yacht appeared to be labouring and making considerable leeway, while the Te Rapunga slipped easily through the waler and worked to the windward with ease. By the time that the yachts were off the North Head, the Te Rapunga had established a lead of about half a mile. She increased the gap on 'the beat out, and passed Rangitoto beacon at 4.3 p.ih., ten minutes ahead of her rival. Both yachts have a crew of five. The Ngataki is manned by J. W. Wray (owner and navigator), G. B. Wray, R. Hunt, M. Robinson and I. Graham, On board the Te Rapunga are Captain George Dibbe'rn and Gunter Schramm (who sailed the vessel from Germany), J. N. Tatter,sfield, F. J. Norris and A. E. Vaile.