AQUATICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10044, 3 February 1896, Page 3

AQUATICS.

\ YACHT CLUB RACES.. The first of the season's races inaugurated by the Auckland Yacht Club was held in the harbour on Saturday afternoon, and'was .an unqualified Buccess in every way, Messrs, Bloomfield's fine yacht Viking acted as flagship, being moored off the end of Queen-street Wharf. With their usual courtesy the owners received and entertained a number of guests on board, among whom were Captain Merryon, ot H.M.s. Katoomba, who takes a keen interest in aquatic pursuits. There was a nice northerly breeze blowing in the afternoon, which froshened somewhat as the day progressed, and was just > sufficient to allow all sail to be j carried by the competing yachts. The course was from the flagship, round Viking's moorings off Judge's Bay; thence round black buoy in Rangitoto Channel; thence round a buoy off Brown's Island; thence round the Viking's moorings, round the Arawata, finishing between the flagship and Queen-street wharf; the distance being 17 miles. This course gave a lead down to Viking's moorings, a beat to the Rangitoto Channel buoy (against a strong flood tide), a lead to the Brown's Island buoy, a lead round Viking's moorings and the Arawata, and a beat to the flagship to finish. Considerable interest was taken in the two events, a largo crowd of spectators assembling at the end of Queen-street wharf, who watched the progress of the races very closely, while a large number of yachts of various classes cruised round tho harbour, following the competing boats round on the home run. The racing all through was excellent, both events being well contested. I The 5-rater Moaua, belonging to the Wilson Brothers, again asserted her superiority over all the boats in her claBS, and although she loses tho prize by having to 'give a time allowance to the Ladye Wilma, she finished first by over two minutes, and that in the face of the fact that she was the last to get away from the starting point. The Ida was badly beaton all the way by both the Moana Liulyo Wilma, while the Thetis, which scored such a success at Judge's Bay Regatta the previous week was nowhere. In the race for 2.j-raters the Mizpah, owned by Mr. A. L. Wilson, and built by Logan Bros, this season, somewhat surprised every--0110 by the way in which she travelled, and romped home in front of the Rarere, after a keen contest, she beating the latter boat very badly in tho short distance from the end of Queen-street wharf round thb Arawata and back. The win is an exceedingly creditable one, as the boat was not built for racing purposes at all, her owner having sacrificed speed for comfort in the build of the boat, intending her mostly for cruising purposes. Mr. J. L. R. Bloomfield acted as starter, the times being taken by Messrs. R. S. Reynolds and W. A. MacCormick. The following is a resume of the races, with the results Yachts 5-batino.—Moana (Wilson Bros.), Ida (Jngger Bros, and Prater), Ladye Wilma (Dr. Coates), Thetis (R. Masefield), Ranga* tira (Mr. Chatficld). At the start Ida was across the line by several seconds, but took no notice of tho recall signal from the Viking, Ladye Wilma was next, then Rangatira, followed closely by Thetis and Moana, tho latter having the worst of it, and to leeward. On the lead down to Judge's Bay mark Ida led, followed closely by Ladye Wilma ; then came Rangatira, Thetis, and [ Moana in the order named. Ida was first I boat round \tiie mark; then came Ladye i Wilma, Rangatira, Thetis, and Moam. Oil i coming 011 the wind Moana weathered Thetis, Rangatira, and Ladye Wilma, and by the time the North Head was reached was oil the Ida's quarter. While Ida and Moana were having a luffing match the other boats were keeping full and going through the water well. Ladye Wilma was first boat to tack on Rangitoto shore, and she went to windward of Ida. Rangatira was next about, followed closely by Moana, Ida, and Thetis. Ladye Wilma, with the fresh breeze off Rangitoto shore, was the first to get round the buoy, followed by Moana, lira, later; then came Raugatira, Ida, and Thetis in the order named. Leading jibs were soon set on ill yachts, Ida carrying her spinnakers for some time. Moana picked up on Ladye Wilma on the lead to Brown's Island, and Ida gained 011 Rangatira. The mark boat was rounded bv Ladye Wilma first, 403. ahead of Moaua; then came Rangatira. 2m. behind followed 4m. later by Ida; Thetis being about 14m. later. On the homo stretch Moana rapidly drew on Ladye Wilma, and by tho time the Bean Rock was reached had a lead of |m., which she increased all the way up. Ida passed Rangatira, and at Bean Rock had taken third place. From Judge's Bay to the Queen-street Wharf Moana increased her lead, being lm. 16s. ahead, and Ida gained on Ladye Wilma, while Thetis picked up somewhat. Rounding the Arawata Moana had still further increased her lead to 2m. 405.; and the flagship was passed as follows: Moana, 111. 47m.; Ladyo Wilma, 4h. 49:11. 103.; Ida, 4h. 49m. 453; Rancitira, 4h. 52m. 435.; Thetis, 4h. 54in. 10s. The Ladye Wilma takes the prize on time allowance by four seconds. Yachts, 2J-RATlNQ.—Entries: Ravero (A, Harvey). Mabel (W. Swinnerton), Zinita (O. 11. Smith), Huia (Seager Brothers), Mahaki (Chatfield and Co.), Mizpali (A. L. Wilson). Mahaki did not come to the starting post, being aground at her moorings. A very good start was effected, Huia being first away, followed by Mizpali, Zinita, Mabel, and Rareroin the order named, the latter being to windward, while Huia was to leeward. By the time Viking's moorings were reached .Mizpali had taken first place, and that mark was rounded : Mizpah, 1; Rarere, 2; Huia, 3; Mabel, 4; and Zinita last. Crossing over to tho North Head, Zinita passed Mabel, and got to windward of Huia, Mizpali and Rarere being a long way ahead. On the Rangitoto shore Huia crossed Zinita's bow, with tho Mabel well behind. Rounding black buoy off Rangitoto reef, Mizpah had Rarefo by lm., Rarere being 4m. ahead of Zinita, which was Jin. ahead of Huia: Mabel 3m. later. No difference in time was effected to the buoy off Brown's Island, the boats rounding in the same order as tho Rangitoto mark. At Bean Rock Rarere had gained slightly on Mizpah, and rounded Viking's moorings with a slight lead; both being about Bm. ahead of the other three boats. Huia and Mabel passed Zinita at the lighthouse, the wind haviuz fallen very light. Passing between the Railway and Queen-street wharves Rarere was leading Mizpah by Bs.; the other boats just coming up to Viking's moorings as the two leadiug boats passed the flagship. Rounding the Arawata, Mizpah was 20s. behind Rarere, but rounding smartly took the lead and finished first, the times being: Mizpah, 5.9.20; Rarere, 5.9.31; Huia, 5.21.45 ; Mabel, 5.23.3; Zinita, 5.24.15.