WAITARA REGATTA.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 90, 14 March 1935, Page 9

WAITARA REGATTA.

PALMERSTON NORTH SPEEDBOATS. The annual regatta was held on the Waitara River, Waitara, on Saturday. Eleven rowing and four speedboat events were held, the honours in the races being well distributed. The speedboats taking part were from Waitara, Palmerston North, and New Plymouth. The speedboat events saw close competition, five competitions taking part. Unfortunately the entry acknowledged to be the fastest boat present, Miss Manawatu, experienced engine trouble and started in only one raco, says the Taranaki Herald. In that event the boat had covered only a short distance when further engine trouble occurred and she had to withdraw. Despite strenuous efforts during tbe day the engine could not be restarted. In spectacular events. Miss Manawa, another Palmerston North entry, returned the best times and won two events. Competing in the Clifton handicap Miss Manawa (L. Dryden, Palmerston North) was an entrant but did not finish tlie course. The same boat, witii the same driver, secured first place in the Waitara handicap, the race being of about three miles. Sea Devil (K. Vickery, Waitara) and Sea Dog (R. Kibb.v, Waitara) were second and third respectively. The scratch boat, Miss Manawatu, struck trouble early and did not take any great part in the race, though in lier trial lap she showed high speed. With two-thirds of the distance gone four of the boats were in the same lap. Sea Dog showed a lot of pace in the straight but lost ground at the turns, whereas Miss Manawa just skimmed the buoy, and well handled, she maintained her lead to win by 14sec. from Sea Devil, with Sea Dog about Bsec. further back. Similar success came tbe way of Miss Manawa in tbe Taranaki handicap, also of about three miles. Again Miss Manawatu failed to get going. Miss Jean moved well, while Sea Devil had about a chain advantage of Miss Manawa at the start, but the Palmerston North boat overhauled her comarker in the first lap and set out after the leader. With half a mile to go Miss Manawa took the lead, all the four competitors then being in the same lap. Miss Manawa won comfortablv with l4seo. to spare. With Mr W. Puilyn at the controls Miss Manawa filled third place in the Forced Speedboat handicap. A false start and then engine trouble caused delay and confusion. Miss Manawa and Sea Dog started off the wrong mark and the race was declared no start. Miss Jean then had trouble and was unable to start tbe second time. Then, when Sea Devil was about to start, her engine swamped, so the race was postponed. Sea Devil was still unable to start even then. The three competitors at once got into their stride and though Miss Jean had a good start Sea Dog quickly made up the leewav and after two and a-half miles took tlie inside running at the turn to hold the lead, which was increased over the final lap. Miss Manawa failed by about three seconds to gain second place.