AURORA SAILING CLUB

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 14 January 1938, Page 2

AURORA SAILING CLUB

LAST WEEK’S RACING HARD WEATHER FOR IDLE-ALONG CLASS REVIEW OF EVENT Last Saturday's weather precluded racing for the Tauranga class, a hard breeze at N.N.E. with rain squalls, making rough conditions for sailing in the harbour. Three Idle Along class turned out and lined up for a good start before the w'ind at about 3 p.m. Mayfair and Tainui got across with the gun and set spinnakers, closely followed by Colleen. The first two rounded the first mark together. Tainui, carrying her spinnaker longer than Mayfair, rounded half her length ahead. A hard beat, with much water flying, followed when Mayfair establishel a strong lead and kept it to finish well ahead of Tainui. Colleen was forced to retire on the second round, being practically swamped, but deserves credit for a sporting effort in hard weather. This class comprises a fine type of boat in any weather and can carry canvas to a surprising degree. It is astonishing that more do not turn out to race for the fun of it. A field of only three out of seven boats under hard conditions makes one wonder what is wrong with the rest. At last night’s committee meeting the Dominion Idle Along championship races held at Picton came in for a deal of discussion and Mayfair and her crew for some commiseration with their poor luck. It seems a pity that the racing was run over courses so notoriously unsuitable for sailing. Few places can be more treacherous in wind force and direction than the Picton reach down to Mabel Island, and this is well known to yachtsmen. TO-MORROW’S RACING Racing for to-morrow is arranged for all classes, starting at the usual time with the Tauranga class. The patron of the club, Mr J. Glasgow, has given a trophy for this class to be raced for *in a series of races, commencing to-morrow. This takes the form of an order for one guinea on any retailer in Nelson to be handed to the winner on completion of the series. The club’s thanks are due to their pat--lon for his unfailing interest in its activities and such a useful prize in this instance. A grand picnic is arranged for Sunday, 23rd January, to Haulashore Island. All members and friends arc invited. Adequate transport will be provided and the matter is in the able hands of the social committee. More details will be available later regarding programme, etc.

IN THE FAIRWAY Complaint is made by the Harbour Master (Captain Christie) of small boats being underway in the fairway when traffic is moving in or out of the harbpur. This is a serious matter and sailing members are requested to keep clear of the fairway below the wharf when ships are seen to be entering or leaving Nelson. The Harbour Board has been approached regarding an extension to the new boat sheds to be used as a club house for the club. It is hoped that the board will be favourably impressed towards such an investment, as this is of paramount importance for the continuance of the sport in Nelson, and from the Board’s point of view can definitely be regarded as an investment and a good one, not an expenditure of revenue non-recoverable.

The commtitee is using every endeavour to gain a good hearing in this matter and feel confident of a fair deal from the Board in hearing their proposition in full before decision is made.