YACHTING

New Zealand Herald, 23 May 1921, Page 7

YACHTING

ROYAL N.Z. YACHT SQUADRON.

IDLER WINS CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP. The yachting season in Auckland* was brought to a. close on Saturday, wnen tne Boyai New Zealand Yacht Squadron held the club championship for the 141t one-design class. In'addition to the championship, the race carried with it a cash prize of £5, presented by Mr G. L. Thorburn. The _ race brought out seven competitors, including; Iron Duke, owned and sailed by Lord Jellicoe, and the new 14-footer Bona, owned by Mr. A. E. Gifiord. Owing to the light weather conditions prevailing during the afternoon, the race was decided on the completion of the first round, the championship being won by Mr. C. Wild's Idler. The boats were sent away to a straggling start at 2.10 p.m. Betty, Idler and Meteor were over the line at gunfire, and had to return and recross. Meanwhile, Edna got the advantage of a nice lead and was plosely followed oy Bona and Iron Duke. Jean was towed to the starting line but even then she was 4m late. The wind being about east, the boats all stood close iu toward the southern shore to get out of the strong flood tide. Idler gradually overhauled the leaders, and when Campbell's Point was reached', she went to the front. Meteor, which had kept further up to windward than the others, ran into third position off the Point. Off Judge's Bay. Meteor passed Edna, which also had to give place to Iron Duke and Bona. The last-named two boats were now making a close race of it, there being very" little between them. Passing Point Eesolution the order was: Idler, Meteor, Bona, Iron Duke, Edna, Betty and Jean. Idler was now a long way in the lead, and after standing some distance further down the harbouT on the port tack she went round and Btood on starboard, the other boats, with the exception of Jean! and Betty—which followed Idler s move—standing well into Hobson Bay before breaking tacks. Idler was not able to lay the Sandspit beacon on>the' first board, but. had to put. m a short hitch to' irmke it. •Tean and Edna had considerable difficulty m weathering the beacon. The other boats, which had stood further: on before coming round, made a lead of it. /etching the beacon with ease. Bounding this mark the times were: Idler, 3h 19m; Bona. 3—22—15Meteor, 3—23—10: Iron : Duke. Betty. 3—30—25: Jean. Edna 3—41Idler increased her lead by 24s from Bona on the run to the finishing mark, while Bona added another 3s. to her' lead from Meteor, which in turn gained 2m 16s on Iron Duke. The finishing times were: Idler, 3h 44m 20sBona, 3—47—59; Meteor, 3—1&—57: Iron Duke, 3—52—53; Betty, 3—59. As there are no handicaps in this class Idler is first. Bona second, and Meteor third. Jean and Edna did not finish. The officials for the day were: Messrs. J. B. Johnston, J. H. Frater and J. C. Henson.