YACHTING NOTES

Grey River Argus, 12 February 1938, Page 11

YACHTING NOTES

(By

“Mainsheet”)

Last week-end’s race from yachtsmen’s point of view, was one of the best so far to date. The wind was a fresh from the north, at times nearly reaching gale force, and prdvided thrills in abundance. Several boats had to retire. “Manurewa" and "Karoro” failed to take the water at all. owing to lack of crews. “Marion” was unfortunate in having to retire just as the race commenced, owing to rudder difficulty. The race commenced in a beat down to the bottom bouy, which “Mystic” rounded first, closely followed by “Awatea,” “Rascal,” “lanthe” and “Vagabond,” with “Bounty” just in behind them, :and- from then on boats retired one {after the other through fouls and mishaps, and only three were able to " finish the course, these being “Mystic,” "Awatea” and “Rascal.” J. Brennan in “Awatea” deserved his meritorious victory and battled every inch of the way to win by a comfortable margin from “Rascal.” “Mystic”, sailing from scratch with her heavy weather crew, could not outclass the “Silver Fern’s” as much as would be expected and her crew found the going very strenuous. She was very capably handled by P. McDonald and Phil can certainly get the best out of a boat. “Rascal” battled 'away for second place, but was outclassed by “Awatea” for honours, and beat “Mystic” by a comfortable margin. Officials also braved the elements and flagged the boats \when. 'the bottom bouy drifted in on to the 'rocks. The megaphone was a muchused instrument in directing skippers round the course. Weather was [squally everywhere. Auckland seemed to suffer the worst in this respect, all sports having to be postponed, and I Lyttelton harbour was the scene of capsizes. Five boats in the [special challenge race from Governor’s Bay took a bath. One of these “Lolita” (D. H. Evans) was a periformer at the local regattas recently, with a good deal of success, was 'the first boat to show the way. Local I boat builders are finding it a bit I difficult to obtain supplies of kawaIka timber suitable for the construction of their respective boats while the surrounding bush is being scoured for correct rata bends for stem pieces and “knees.” It is believed that yet another “Silver Fern” dinghy will shortly he in the course of construction, while the “Idlealongs” are making good progress and several skippers will be looking for new forward hands in the coming season. The committee room is now finished in the club pavilion and looks very neat and cosy. “Aurora Star” has arrived safely In Sydney after a good fast trip from Lord Howe Island and intends to cruise up the coast. Her crew is feeling no ill-effects of the buffetting in the Tasman.