YACHTING RACE

Northern Advocate, 17 April 1933, Page 8

YACHTING RACE

AUCKLAND TO COROMANDEL. MATTAKT AND CELOX SCORE. (.Special to “Northern Advocate.’’) AUCKLAND, Satnrday. After tlio long spell of easterly weather Hie wind came out from the south-west on Thursday evenin';' only a few minutes before the annual race from Auckland to Coromandel was due to start off tlie King’s wharf. Most of the 22 starters were able to secure a friendly tow down to the starting line, but at S p.m., the advertised time for starting, only halt ot the number had reported to Mr. Wilkinson on the end of the wharf, and he decided to defer the start. At 8.15 all but two were in sight and the race was started at 8.20 p.m,, using red lights in place of the usual starting flags.

Three races were held, the entries and off-wind handicaps in each class being as follow: — Keel. —Waione, scr; Speedwell, 21m; Qneenie (trysail), 24m; Mahaki, .‘som. Waione did not start.

26-Footers and Under. —Omatere, scr; Celox, Starloch, 4m; Starlight, 6m; Spray, 10m; Kia Ora, Mirage, Komuri, 20m; Doreen, 550 m; Malna, 556 m; Waitohi, Wayward, 46m. All started but

Spray. IS-Footers. — Paroro, scr; Mystic, am; Avro,. 1.0 m; Maroro, 14m; Drone, 1 (sin; Main, 20m; Rita, .°.(>m; Desiree, afim. All started.

At gunfire the boats were all in a bumdi off the end of the King’s wharf, and moved off slowly in the light sou’westerly wind, which was now making off the shore, giving them fair wind to their destination, in of the long beat to windward ‘expected by most skippers, and the change was welcome, enabling leading jibs and spinnakers to be carried. Omatere, Afahnki, Mirage, Paroro, Mystic, Komnri, Celox, Speedwell, Qucenie, Avro, Drone and'.'Maroro were the first to get moving and the fleet made a pretty sight in the moonlight as they gathered way in the fair breeze and were soon well down harbour on their 114-mile sail. The course was down inside Waiheke Island, thence through any of the three passages into the Hauraki Gulf, finishing off Beeson’s Island at the port hand entrance to Coromandel Harbour. Mr. W. A. Wilkinson was handicappcr and starter, the finishing times being taken by Messrs. Fred Strongman, .1. A. McNeill and W. IT. Turner.

The wind continued light from the south-west as the boats passed Brown’s Island about 10 p.m. Omatere was leading, with Celox, Starloch, Mahaki, Drone and Paroro next. A better breeze came out of TTowiek Bay, but eased up again. Off Awaroa about midnight, Omatere got into a light spot, Celox and Starloch passing her. After this the breeze gradually freshened and better time was made through Waiheko Passage, the leading boats getting through at 1 a.m. Spray went through the sandspit. Spinnakers were carried to starboard all the way from the King’s wharf to the finish. Half-way across the Gulf the wind freshened considerably and quick time was made to the finish. The finishes were: —

Keel Yachts. —Mahalfi 3h 44m Is, Queenie 3h 50m 6s, Speedwell 4h 4m 3s. 26-rooters.—Celox (4m) 3h 29m, Starloeh (4m) .‘ih 30m Is, Omatere (ser) .‘Hi 38m 20s, Komuri (20m) 3h 47m 2s, Starlight (6m) 3.1 i 49m 4s, Doreen (3m) 3h 57m 10s, Spray (10m) 4h 4m 3s, Malua (36m) 4h 6m 4s. Malua, Mirage and Waitohi also finished. Results were: —Keel yachts: Mahaki 1, Queenie 2, Speedwell 3. 26-Footers: Celox 1, Starloeh 2, Komnri 3, Doreen 4, Only two minutes separated the first four boats.

There were no results in the V class, owing to the capsize of Drone and the fact that Paroro stood by. The prizes in this class will be decided on a race held off Coromandel to-dav.

EXCITING EPISODE. TWO CRAFT CAPSIZE. A PERILOUS SWIM. (Special to "Northern Advocate.”' COROMANDEL, Saturday. Two ISft yachts competing in the race from Auckland to Coromandel capsized early yesterday morning. In one instance the crew was picked np in quick time by another boat, but the crew of the second boat which wont over had to swim to the nearest land, and a member of the latter creAV, who, it is considered, had a lucky escape from drowning, was Mr. M. Corner, the All Black scrum half.

Nearing the Cow and Calf Islands, off tho entrance in Coromandel, the Drone, owned by Mr. Los. Mills, of Epsom, capsized about .‘l.llO a.m. Her crew was picked up by the Paroro, another vacht of the same class.

The wind was light at the start of the race, but when the floats got into the gulf it freshened into a hard breeze. The Drone was carrying a spinnaker, and was leading her class by 10m. After passing the Cow and (lalf and when her crew were taking in the spinnaker, Ihe yacht capsized, her spinnaker going over the masthead.

The paroro was behind the Drone, and rounded up alongside and picked up the crew of five. In the meantime the Spray, Doreen and Maroro had passed, and the Maroro’s skipper, Mr. Ron. Hunt, of Narrow Neck, reported the capsize to Messrs. Strongman, McNeil and Turner, on the judge’s launch, who left at once for the scene of the accident. They found the boat, gathered up the sails and spare gear, and towed the yacht to the Coromandel wharf. The crew of the Drone was taken ashore by the Paroro and provided with clothing and berths by other boats> ... Ml