AQUATICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11539, 26 November 1900, Page 3

AQUATICS.

.*•:;;;• OPENING OF THE yachting ■ SEASON. - . ■ ~ A PICTURESQUE DISPLAY. In spite of the fact that several of the >■>• largo craft, such as Volunteer, Viking, and Matanjri, will not leave the moorings this, year, the yachting season 1900-1901 in Auckland promises to be a very successful one The opening which took place on Saturday ; was the best the local yachtsmen have had -'.-:'' and was a fitting ceremony to usher in the fascinating pastime which has such a strong hold in the Waitemata. " The organisation was admirable, and as at one time in the manoeuvres there were close upon 50 yachtf clustered off the end of the Queen-street Wharf, the sight was particularly fine.. Mr. - John Wiseman, commodore of the Auckland Yacht Club, who sailed in the Moana, was in command-. In addition to the colours of this club, those of the North Shore, Parnell, and Ponsonby Sailing Clubs were also represented. Among the large yachts present were the Ida (with vice-com-modore G. P. Murdoch aboard), Tholma, .' Snray, Rangatira, Thetis, Kotiri, and Mr. O. Harris' trim little oil yaoht Queen of Beauty. Shortly after half-past two p.m. the signal for the first order of sailing was flown from the commodore's boat, and the yachts stood over towards Shoal Bay all abreast. Tacking in.the wake of the loading vessel was the next evolution. Just as they went about to come down the harbour' before the gentle S.W. breeze that was blowing, the mosquito fleet of the Ponsonby Cruising Club joined in, and the whole fleet 'Bailed past the Queen-street Wharf. • All plain sails were set, . and as the cloud of ■ canvas swept by the sight was exceedingly beautiful. The commodore then signalled to dismiss and rendezvous at Matiatia, a favourite cove on the eastern end of Waiheke. As the racer of tho Parnell Yacht Club were proceeding, the harbour from tho wharves to North Head was soon dotted with white canvas, lit up by the afternoon sun, and the scene was very animated. Matiatia was made just-at dusk, and the fleet was soon lost to sight as it disappeared like a flock of seagulls flyintr homo at sunset. Next morning the placid waters of the bay were crowded with craft. During the forenoon the fleet stood over to Home Bay, Motutapu, and when in ; the passage the yacht Rainbow, now on her way to Christchurch, could be seen making for Colville, with spinnaker set, and going at a great pace. At Homo Bay & handicap race was arranged between eight of the boats, tho times being:Moana and Ida, scratch; Rangatira, 15m.; Rarero and Mahaki, 18m.: Mat.ua, 20m.; Spray, 30m.; Irish Lily, 35m. The course was from the bay to North Head. Rangatira finished first, ' tho rest of the yachts being close together." The cruise was a very pleasant one, and the opening was pronounced by all tho yachtsmen as the most successful that has been held in the Waitemata. PARNELL SAILING CLUB. The first of the season's races of tho Parnell Sailing Club, which had to bo postponed on the 17th inst., owing to bad weather, took place on Saturday afternoon last under more favourable circumstances, and a very eood afternoon's sport resulted. The yacht Viking was flagship, and Mr. P.' W. Coombes acted as starter and judge. The breeze was a fair one from tho south at the start of the races, going into the westward, and increasing, afterwards backing into tho south again, but throughout the afternoon the wind was very "flukey." stome. good contests took place, the most;. interesting being that between the patikis, and although Rambler sailed a good race ■ and camo in first, she was beaten on time allowance by Rita and Zoe. In tho raco J for the 26-footers Kotiro sailed exceedingly / well all tho way, and won by 10s. from Pas-1 time after an exceedingly keen contest. Tho' race for the 22-footers was also well fought out, Mj getting homo first, but Waimoa takes the prize on time allowance by 405.. The Open Handicap was robbed of consider-j able interest owing .to tho absence of Ida' and Kotiri, but a good race took place bo-1 tween Rainbow and Aorere, the lattor taking; the prize on time allowance with sorno min- ', utes to spare. The following aro the de-, tails of tho races: —

26-FocAers. —Entries and handicaps: Pastime, scratch; Kotiro, 5m.; Waitangi, 6m.' Course: From mark-boat off Judge's Bay thence round mark off Hobson's Bay; thence round chequered buoy in Rangitoto Chan* nel; thence round mark off Queen-street, back to starting-point. Twice round. All started, being got away pretty evenly, Kotiro having a little the best of it. _ It was a fairly oven " go" between Pastime and Kotiro all tho way out to the buoy and back, both hanging well together. By the time the boats returned the wind fell very' light, and progress was very slow. Th*> wind going more westerly, the beat Up to tho Queen-street Wharf took a considerable, time. All the way on tho second round the same positions were maintained, Kotiro still hanging on to the loader, the finish being: Pastime, sh. 50m. 30n.; Kotiro, sh. 55m. 205.; Waitangi, 6h. lm. 15s. Kotiro wins by 40s. 22-footers.— and handicaps: Myra, scratch; Melissa, 2im.; Waimoa, 3m.; Colleen, 9m.; Kotare, 10m.; Merlin, 13m. Course: From mark-boat off Judgo's Bay,., thence round mark-boat off Queen-street Wharf; thence round buoy off Calliope Dock; thence round Sandspit buoy; thence ■ round mark off Hobson's Bay, back to starting point; twice round; finishing south side of mark-boat in Judge's Bay. Myra had tho best of the start, followed by Melissa, and the others all well together. Up to the wharf mark Mvra opened away from the others, and down the harbour got still further away, about equal distances! separating the others. All tho boats held a good wind on the northern shore, and when) off Calliopo Dock Melissa carried something, away, and lost a lot of ground. Passing the flagship on the first round, < Myra still had a good lead, with Waimoa and Kotare next, the others being a long way behind. Merlin gave up, and the finish was: Myra, 5h.« Waimoa. sh. 2m. 205.: Kotaro, s'n. '■ 13m. 40s. Waimoa wins by 40s.

Patikis.—Entries and handicaps: Rambhsr, scratch; Eka, 2m.; Zoe, 5m.; Rita, 5m.; Kangaroo, owes 3m. Course: Same aa last race. A good start was effected, Rambler having the windward position, and Kangaroo the leeward. Up to tho Queenstreet mark and on the run down tho northern sido it was a pretty race, the leading boats hanging well ■. together, very little separating them when off Devonport Wharf. Over to the Hobson's Bay mark Rambler still bad the best of it, followed by Rita and Kangaroo, tho two latter doing a lot of " jockeying." After rounding the mark, with Zoo in close attendance, Kangaroo finally got away from Rita, having the windward position, and the wind at tho time going into the southward, tile latter three were enabled to work right up well in on the southern shore. Rambler kept well out into mid-channel, and did not have such a good wind as the other boats... Rambler, however, improved her position a. good deal, and rounded tho mark off the wharf first, and maintained her lead all the way round the second time. Rita, Kangaroo. Zoe, and Eka doing a fair chase, but without being able to catch up. The finish was: 1 Rambler. sh. Bm. 355.: Rita. sh. 9m. 155.; < Kangaroo, sh. 10m. 405.; Eka. sm. 12m. On time allowance Rita wins, Zoe second, and Rambler third.

Open Handicap.—Entries and handicaps:' Rainbow, scratch : Ida, Bm.; Aorere, 17m.; Kotiri, 17m.; Corinna, 24m. Course: Same as 26-footers. Ida and Kotiri did not start. Rainbow bad much the best of the start, Aorere and Corinna crossing the line almost together. The wind was very light at the time, Rainbow's head sails not drawing at all. Aorere could not set her topsail owinc to some of the cear carrying away. As the Hobson Bay mark was neared the wind freshened a little. Aorere hung well on to the "crack" right across to the channel buoy and back. Beating up, Rainbow had to make three boards to Aorero's one, thus giving tho latter a chance to pull up a bit. Passing the flagship after the first round. Rainbow was only leading Aorere by two and a-half minutes, Corinna being 14 minutes behind Rainbow. On the second round Rainbow, got away from Aorere. and Corinna gave up. The finish was: Rainbow, sh. 42m. 455; Aorere, sh. 55m. 50s. The latter therefore wins on time allowance. THE RAINBOW. The champion 36-footer Rainbow sailed for Lyttelton yesterday morning to take part in the jubilee regatta, to be held there next month. - The yacht is to call in at several places along the coast on her trip down.