AQUATICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13368, 24 December 1906, Page 4

AQUATICS.

MAXUKAU YACHT CLUB RACE. Tub Manukau Yacht Club sailed off the second race of the season on Saturday afternoon, when a nice north-easterly wind prevailed. With ideal weather conditions a largo number of spectators assembled to witness the races. The handicaps were as follows:—Ngaroma, scratch; Maka Mailc. scratch; Hilda, 22m.; .Endeavour, 24-m. : Spray, 25m.; Edna, 30m.; Mascotto, 38m.; Presto, 38m. ; Clematis, 39m. ; Petrel, 44m. ; Dispute, 48m. : Mana, 57m. Punctually at three minutes past two p.m. the starter and timekeeper, Mr. L. Pascoe, despatched the limit yacht, and the others followed in their order without losing time. Mana, favoured by her big start, led for the first half of the distance, and rounded the dolphin at 3h. 5m., after which came Petrel, 3h. 7m. ; Clematis, 3h. 15m. 305.; Mascotte, 3h. 16m.; Amua, 3h. 17m. 305.; Spray, 3h. 23m. 155.; Hilda, 3h. 25m. . 305.; and Ngaroma, oh. 45m. At this stage Edna pulled out. Petrel, Clematis, and Spray rapidly overhauled the leader the last time round, and the former getting in front established a commanding lead, eventually winning comfort-ably by eight minutes from Clematis. A close race resulted between Spray, Mana, and Hilda . for third place, and Spray just secured the prize on the post. The finishing times were: Petrel. 4h. lm.; Clematis, 4h. 9m.; Spray, 4h. 12m.; Mana, 4h. 12m. 155.; Hilda, 4h. 12m. 305.; Endeavour, 4h. 13m. 305.; Amua, 4h. 15m. ; Ngaroma, 4h. 27m. Mascotto was counted opt for rounding the dolphin on the wrong side, and thus lost three points for the handicap cup. _ The club's annual excursion to the Hula will take place on Boxing Day. PONSONBY CRUISING CLUE. The Ponsonby Cruising Club held a race to Awaroa- Bay on Saturday. The yachts were got well away together, and had a favourable "wind down to the bay. The finishing times were as follows:—Siola, sh. 38m. 305.; Emerald, 51i. 41m.: Ngahuru, sh. 43m. 455.; Mam, sh. 47m. 305.; Alva, sh. 51m.: Uynisca, oh. Mr. Gordon, of Awaroa Bay,"acted as judge and timekeeper. TH B TOWNS-DURNAN CONTEST. Edward Durnan and Geo. Towns have not yet decided upon the course on which they will meet to decide their match for the world's sculling ohampionship; but they intend to visit the Nepean River and have a run over the stretch of three miles where William Beach defeated Durnan's uncle, the famous Edward Hanlan. in their third race. Duruan is likely to prefer the Nepean to the Parramatta, as he is accustomed to sculling on fresh water, and with little stream. The Canadian has not yet settled down to training, says a Sydney exchange, but he goes out every morning in his racing shell accompanied by Chris. Nielsen, and sometimes by two or more of the young professional scullers now located on the Parramata River. At present the Canadian is practising in the boat built for him by Ward, of New York, and which he used' successfully in, his race against the exNew Zcalander Tom Sullivan. This craft is a fine specimen of the boatbuilder's art, and as she is still in good racing trim it is probable that ho will use her in his race Against Towns, though Chris. Nielsen is just finishing a boat for the Canadian, who may prefer upon trial the Australianbuilt; shell. Both Towns and Durnan have expressed their desire that Mr. Geo. Upward will act as umpire of their race. The opinion formed by many Australians of Durnan's ability as a sculler, entirely upon report, is likely to be changed very much in favour of the Canadian, when ho is seen in good condition. He is, of course, untrained at present, but his sculling shows that he has pace and that ho is a good waterman. He has an easy stylo, which should help him to last over a course of three miles, and which should enable him to travel fast the whole distance. When forward and ready to grip the water his shoulders are not so far forward as those of most Australian scullers, but he catches quickly and firm, and his boat runs smoothly. His finish is not quite so vigorous as that which his tutor, Edward Hanlan, used to display, but die power is kept, on until each stroke is finished. The. blade work is even and well timed, and the slide work is well executed. Durnan's greatest task in preparing himself for the race will bo to get thoroughly fit. Ho is a man who appears to bo better suited by cold than hot. weather, and in the hot months of December, January, and February he will probably find 'it difficult 1o avoid some of the complaints which become prevalent during an Australian summer There is a amongst lovers of rowing in Sydney, that, the race should ]» on the Parramatta River, but apart from the reasons stated for Durnan's probable preference for the Nepean course, the latter would, under ordinary conditions, attract the scullers for financial reasons. Considoi ing the immense number of spectators who would witness the race on the Parramatta the gate would be very small.