SAILING DINGY RACE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 9090, 29 April 1890, Page 2

SAILING DINGY RACE.

Another pleasant gathering of the aquatic men of Sumner took place on Saturday last, to witness a sailing race from Sumner jetty to Heathcote bridge and back, a, distance of about thirteen miles. At eleven o’clock, the appointed time for the start, five boats pat in their appearance, Mab (J. Day), Pride of Canterbury (W. Lawson), Hero (A. Elsden), Press (A. D.vy), and Echunga (J, Craw). General regret was expressed that the Euturpe was unable to compete in the race.

Shortly after the appointed time, Mr J. Crawford, who acted aa starter and judge, ■gave the word “ go,” and the five boats were soon on the move, all keeping well together. The first to round the buoy at the bridge was the Echunga, closely followed by the Mab and the Press, the Hero and Pride of Canterbury being some little distance in the rear. At this point the Hero was determind to make up th® lost ground, and was going along in grand style, carrying all possible sail, when ; suddenly came a puff of wind, and sent the “skipper” and his two "mates” out into the mid-stream., Pride of Canterbury being clopjgsJft hand, - bore down upon them and rescued the men none the worse fdr their ducking. The race now lay between the three leading boats, and a good race they were making of it, all doing their utmost knd a short distance from the winning post it was difficult to say which .boat would win, so close were they together. ■■Ultimately Mab came in the winner. Press being only a few yards behind, closely followed by Echunga. Thus ended one of the closest contested races ever held at Sumner. The Hero and the Pride of Canterbury came in later on. ’ The prizes were—First £4, second £l, third 10s. Time—2hrs ISmin.