THE WELLINGTON REGATTA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9726, 23 January 1895, Page 5

THE WELLINGTON REGATTA.

A SUCCESSFUL MEETING.

AUCKLAND YACHTS VICTORIOUS. [u* telegraph.—-press ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Tuesday. The annual regatta, under the auspices of the Port Nicholson Yacht Club, was held today, and proved to be one of the most successful gatherings in the history of the Club. During the forenoon there was not a breath of wind, the water in the harbour being like glass, and when the gun fired at eleven o'clock to start the boats in the first-class event, the fleet lay almost motionless off the wharf. Within half-an-hour, however, a light southerly breeze sprung up, and con tiimed throughout the rest of the day. This suited the smaller craft admirably, but was far from satisfactory to the larger boats, notably the competitors engaged in the firstclass event. The win of the Waitangi in the big event was very popular, and Mr. Logan, of Auckland, her builder, who steered her in the race, received a great ovation as he crossed the line at the finish, the enthusiasm being renewed when the Rona, the winner of the second-class championship, whioh was also built by Logan, drew up alongside the VVaitangi, and the two boats sailed away together to their moorings. It was very evident the wind was far too light to allow of the Mascotte showing the excellent sailing qualities she undoubtedly possesses. The sailing of the Napier boat in the second-class race was very much admired, and regret was expressed that she could not be awarded the first money. It is understood she is ,under offer to a Wellington syndicate, her owner being desirous of securing a larger boat. The following are the particulars of the principal events :— First-class Championship Yacht Race. 5-rating and over. First prize, £100, and Commodore's Cup second, £20. Distance, about 27 knots. Mr. R. Logan's (Auckland), Waitangi, 10-rating, 6m. 38s ... 1 Mr. John Sinclair's (Lyttelton) Mascotte, 14-rating, scratch 2 Mr. M Millar's (Lyttelton) Pastime, B'3-ratiug. 10m. 30s 3 Mr. Geo. Mee's (Wellington) Maritana 13-rating, lm. 24s 4 All the boats came up to the flagship with their kites on, the Maritana ana the two Lyttelton yachts carrying club topsails, and the Aucklander an ordinary jib header. The Maritana was away first. On crossing the line she was as far up to the windward as she could get, and, hoisting a big balloon jib, she soon cleared the flagship. The Pastime, with her owner at the helm, was close behind, having crossed the line only 255. after the firing of the gun, and she also sent up a balloon jib, as did the Waitangi, which got a very bad start owing to Mr. Logan, who was sailing her, being determined that she should be well inside the line. The Aucklander lost 3m. 555. in getting away, and the Mascotte, which is usually smart at starting, was eyen worse, being 4m. 5s behind. The Pastime tore along at a great rate when she felt the southerly, and soon displaced the Maritana, which was last when the boats disappeared from view round Point Halswell, about four miles from Queen's Wharf. The Waitangi was second, 2m. behind the Pastime, and a similar distance in front of the Mascotte. On the beat to Worser Bay the Waitangi exhibited splendid pace, and overhauling the „ Pastime assumed a strong lead, the Mascotte also coming up and passing the Pastime. On the run to the buoy off Petone the Waitangi increased her lead, while the Maritana slightly improved her position. The first round was completed as follows :— Waitangi, lh. 57m. 505. ; Mascotte, 2h. 9m.; Maritana, 2h. 15m. ss. ; Pastime, 2h. 19m. On the run to Worser Bay for the se cond time the Waitangi increased her lead by about 6m., and sailing splendidly crossed the line an easy winner at 4h. 59m. 525. The Mascotte, who was three or four miles behind her, finished at sh. 27m. 295. The Pastime and Maritaua finished close together shortly before six o'clock, the former having the advantage. Second-class Championship Yacht Race. ■—Two and a-half rating and under five. First prize, £50 and trophy ; second, £10. Distance, about2o knots. Mr. A. H. Turnbull's Rona, 4'3-rating, lm. ■• . .« 1 Mr. 8. G. Osborne's Isca, 4'6 rating, scratch .... 2 Also started: Atalanta (Napier), Wainatu, Mahina, and Mapu. This was a close race. The Atlanta (which had 6m. 14s. time allowance) completed the first round an lh. 38m., followed by the Rona at lh. 39m., the Isca at lh. 39m. 55., and the Mapu at lh. 42m. From thisout the Atalanta maintained her lead.and crossed at 4h. 5m., exactly a minute in front of the Rona, which was twelve minutes ahead of the Isca. The first prize was awarded to the Rona, the Napier boat being disqualified for having carried a larger mainsail than she was rated for. The Third-class Yacht Race was won by the Iris. Several other events for smaller craft were also got off during the day. , The handicap race for all yachts, irrespective of size, will be sailed on Saturday over the championship course, when it is probable all the yachts taking part in to-day's regatta will compete. '