YACHTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18059, 6 April 1922, Page 9

YACHTING.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. Ideal weather prevailed for the Victoria Cruising Club's races on Saturday. the prmcipal event, the general haaduap f°; open boats, was won by the 1% to onedeskn " flattie" Winsome- Ibis event brought out no fewer, than 34 competitors, including boats in the 14ft- one-design. 14ft. Handicap, and the 14ft, square-bilge classesThe meeting of the champion Desert Gold and the crack "flattie" Sea Gnomo was eagerly awaited by the supporters of both boats. When it came to the actual racing, however. Desert Gold, which carried her big Mil,, proved too good for her opponent on all points of the wind, and not only led her round tfc course, but was tho first of the fleet to catch the judge's eye. The " flattie " J* Spook finished 2m 6s after the Desert Gold, and the Sea Gnome 3m 38s astern of, the bea Spook. Tho display of " white wings at the Btart of the race was, a magnificent ono, and it is questionable whether anything more spectacular ha s ove r been witnessed on the Waitemata so far as open boats are umcornou. All trie competitors, stood well to windward at the start and on the fall of the last flag there was a genenff "break" .for the tide deflector mark boat. Collisions were frequent but none was serious. The southerly wind enabled the boats to set their spinnakers for the run across the harbour, and while the majority of the crews handled their light sails smartly, many of them lost a fair amount of time in getting tho sails to draw. In one or two instances the spinnakers were actually dropped overboard. In addition to the boats that had ontered for the race four or five other craft joined the fleet and raced round the course. Not only did these boats interfere with the competitors, but they also caused considerable confusion at the finish by crossing and recrossing the finishing line. Their action came in for a great deal of criticism from the competitors! and officials alike- In the interests of the sport it is to be hoped that fellow-yachtsmen will show a little more consideration in future to those engaged in racing and generally observe the etiquette of the pastime. Referring to the actual result of the race, a correspondent writes suggesting that the Desert Gold, which was awarded second prize, should have been disqualified for carrying her big anil- Ho points out that the Victoria Club announced that all boats taking part in tho general Handicap. must carry their usual racing sail. In spite of this, however, the Desert Gold raced with her large sail, which, ho says, gave her a decided advantage over the other boats. On this matter being reforred to the commodore, Mr. T. L. Thompson, it was learned that in. addition to the general handicap, points were also awardod for tho boats racing in their own particular class. For this reason it was nfcccsßary that the boats should cany their usual sails to qualify for the points. In these circumstances the Desert Gold would not be entitled to any points, as she bad not carried her usual sAil. As regards the general handicap itself, there was nothing to ston her or any other, boats from carrying larger or smaller sails for this particular race, as it was purely an open The first race for the ILipton Challenge Cup will take place on Saturday under the auspices of the Ponsonby Cruising Club. The fixture, which is confined, to the 22ft. class, is creating considerable interest in boating circles, and a olflse race between the challengers is anticipated. The boats and their respective clubs are: Marie (North Shore), Valeria (Victoria). Venus (Ponsonby), Mowai (Point Chevalier). Forest Gold (Manuikau), abd Lucillo (Takapuna). The lastnamed two boats have not yet been meas-

ured by the official measurers of the Auckland Yacht and Motor-boat Association. The others, however, have all been measured and conform to the restrictions laid down for this class. In addition to the Lipton Cud event on Saturday, the Ponsonby Club also has races for open boats and launches set down for decision. The 6rst pr:M for the latter event is the Kohn Cup. A meeting m the Auckland Anniversary Regatta f'jmniirtee has beer called for next Monday evening. An effort is being made to hold a regatta at Cowes Bay, Waiheke, on Easter Saturday. A committee has been appointed, and there is every indication of the function being a successful one. An attractive programme is being drawn up, particulars of which will be announced at an early date. The Sailing Committee of the Ponsonby Cruising Club has decided to disqualify both the Rona and the Desert Go'fd for fouling marks in the club's annual regatta. The evidence showed that the Rona came in contact with the starters' boat, while the Desert Gold was reported to have fouled the mark boat moored off the tide deflector. The Iron Duke, which finished second, was awarded the first prize and champion flag for her class, the Nyria being placed second and the Joan third.