SAILING MATCHES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5395, 3 March 1879, Page 6

SAILING MATCHES.

The spiling race between Mr. Bailey's boat Sis and Mr. Maclean's Missing Link came off at 2 p.m. on February 5, but proved a very hollow affair, the Missing Link re. tiring after making the wharf on the upward course. The two boats at the start were quickly under canvas, and the Sis was the first round the sandspifc buoy by several secoutls. Standing across the harbour towards Orakei she increased the lead, and after reaching the south shore lead up the harbour, pissing close to the wharf at 2h. 50min. oosecs. The missing Link reached the wharf at 3 p.m. and then retired, leaving the Sis to finish at leisure. The day was very boisterous, and it was evident that the Missing Link could not stand up to the stiff breeze. THE SCHOONER KACE FOR £300.—THE TRANSIT WINS. I No event in the aquatic world of AuckI land for some time past had caused so I much interest as the match of February 7 and 8, between the schooners Transit and Torea. This is not to be wondered at, when wo consider the high character of both boats for speed, the fact of cach having won a largo prizo at Lyttelton, the close finish on Regatta Day, their equality of tonnage, the strenuous efforts of Captains Hooper and Grundy to put their respective vessels in perfect trim, the popularity of both captains, and the magnitude of the prize. The course was round the Watchman ofE Cape Colville and back to the Wharf. An even start from abreast Queenstreet Wharf was made at 10 a.m. on Friday, with a leading southerly wind down the harbour, the Torea being slightly ahead for a short distance ; but the Transit soon assumed the lead, and was never afterwards caught. She passed the end of the Queen-street Wharf at S.lO on Saturday morning, shortly after highwater. The Torea, with light wind, had to work up against the ebb of a spring tide from the reef, and therefore did not finish till 12.4 p.m. SAILING YACHT KACE. In accordance with the decision of the committee, the competitors in the small yacht race mustered abreast of Queen-street Wharf at noon on Feb. 3, in order, if possible, to bring the event to a conclusion. There was only a moderate breeze from the north-west, a regular 44 Bojer's wind," aB it is naufcically termed,—a leading wind both ways, and not so strong as to prevent every inch of canvas being spread,— so much so that many remarked that the boat that spread the most canvas would win the race. Such proved to be the case, for the Toy had a perfect cloud of canvas spread, and soon after the Btart it was admitted on all sides that, bar accidents, it was her race. We should like to have seen the wind such as to have made beating one way necessary, in order that the various qualities of the Toy (now styled by her friends 14 the champion boat of New Zealand ") might have been fairly compared with boats that are known to lie well up to,the wind. Mr. Bailey claims for his boat that, take her in any wind or weather, there is not her equal in any port of the colony, and he is open (or his friends) to make a match with any other owner that tbiuks he has as good a boat as the Toy. Captain Rearing, being the starter, was at the post at the appointed hour, and the following boats put in appearance : — Toy, Brothers, Alert, Missing Link, Volnnte, Tui, Neva, Pembroke, and Sis. A very good start was made, and as the boats got divided, it was seen that the Toy was rapidly shooting ahead, closely followed by the Missing Link, Volante, Brothers, and Neva. In this way the buoy al ; the North Shore was rounded, and leading up tho harbour the Toy gradually increased hei distance, so that when passing the wharf she was lmin. 40secs. a-head of the Missing Link, the next boat, with Brothers, Yolante, Alert. 1 Neva, Sis, Pembroke, and Tui close astern. Between hero and Stokes's Point the Yolante ! overhauled the Brothers and secured the third [ place, and went round tho buoy in that order. , Down tho harbour the lot came, but it was more [ conclusive than ever that the Toy was steadilj L out-distancing her opponents, and eveu witl time allowance they would fail to displace her, ) The interest was thus early taken off the race ! ns to who should be first, and centred upon the 1 boats that were trying for second honors. It * was seen that the contest was between the ' Missing Link, Volaute, and Brothers, and as , they often changed places, it was difficult tc - decide how they would bo placed in the long run, but the following is tho finish, as suppliet } by the umpire, Mr. Marshall. 11. m. s. ' Toy u ... 2 12 10 1 1 Volaute 220 0 i Missing Link... ... ... ... 2 22 32 I ' Brothers ... ... ... ... 2 25 2 • s Pembroke 22S 20 ' . Alert 229 3 ( i Neva 234 3 < 5 Sis ... ... ... ... ... 23S 55 I P Tui did not finish. i The boats, according to measurement, we believe [ will stand thus: —Toy, Ist ; Brothers, 2nd [ Missing Link, 3rd ; Volante, 4th. , The prizes were presented on tho 4tt ' February. Toy, Ist, Mr. Lewisson's Cu] value £7 10s., and £10 added. Missinj Liulc, 2nd, £7. The Brothers, 3rd, £3 And the Volante (which saved her stakes J 4bh.