SAILING.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12728, 11 April 1904, Page 4

SAILING.

NAPIER CLUB. One of the best sailing seasons ever known in Napier was brought to a close on Saturday afternoon by a race over tbe short course. Seven boats passed the starter, who had his post near Mr J. Vigor Brown’s residence. This change allows the public to witness the start and finish of the races. The wind was light from east to northeast, and the run down to Kopuki saw the Muritai and Tangaroa in the lead. Rounding Kopuki, Muritai took the lead, and was never headed, finishing llmin 32sec ahead of Gondola. On time allowance Muritai was an easy first. Tangaroa came second, and Gondola third.

With the approach of winter yachtsmen are preparing to haul up their boats. All enthusiasts note with pleasure the remarkable strides which this good sport has made during the last two seasons. Several new boats were launched this year, the principal being Muritai and Edith. The latter has not been properly tested as yet, but the former has proved herself a very fast boat for light winds. She, too, has not had many opportunities of showing her powers in a blow.

Maraetara and Maori Head are the two favourite nooks for yachtsmen; and there is every indication of the development of a much-talked-of scheme of running a light draught steamer across the bay.