THE YACHTING SEASON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18381, 23 April 1923, Page 4

THE YACHTING SEASON

COMBINED CLOSING DAY.

HARBOUR AND CRUISING RACES.

LIGHT WEATHER CONDITIONS.

The yachting season in Auckland was officially closed on Saturday, when combined cruising races for yachts and launches were held to Islington Bay, and also harbour races for open boats. The weather conditions were by no means favourable, light winds and calms prevailing during the greater part of the afternoon. The arrangements for the races were carried out by the Auckland Yacht and Motor-boat Association, the clubs taking part being the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, Akarana Yacht Club, Ponsonby and Victoria Cruising Clubs, and the New Zealand Power-boat Association. Good entries were received by the various clubs, especially for tho tuck stern, centreboard and open boat events, but owing to the absence of a good sailing breeze a large number of the boats failed to finish. In the harbour events the majority of the competitors completed the first round of the course, and as there was no hope of them (except the 18-footers) finishing the second round until well after dark, the officials decided to declare the 14ft. and 16ft. events on the first round by halving the handicaps. The boats taking part in tho cruising races also met with light winds and calms, the majority being unable to reach their destination. \ The •launches were sent away together at 2.30 p.m., the keel yachts at 2.40 p.m., and the mullet boats at 2.50 p.m. The keel yachts and 26ft. mullet boats proceeded! to their destination via the saltworks buoy in Rangitoto Channel, the 20ft. and 22ft. classes and the launches going direct to Islington Bay. The smaller classes raced over the squadron's usual harbour course, , starting and finishing off the King's Wharf. A number of mishaps occurred at the start of the various races. In the launch event the Esther G. was damaged through another competitor backing on to her, and in addition her owner also had the misfortune to lose a valuable gold watch and chain, which was knocked overboard by the impact. The 20ft. mullet boat Winifred carried away her chainplates at the start of the race for her class.

Many of the boats raced in two or three club events, and thus had an opportunity of winning more than one prize. The most successful- of the one-design boats was the Rona, -which started in three clubs, winning tire first prize in each. In the 18ft. class two firsts were secured by. the Champagne, a similar performance being put up by the Betty in the 14ft. handicap class. In the keel boat events Queenie was the most successful, winning two first prizes. Of the centreboard boats Waitere 11. registered three, wins in the 26ft. class, and Marie a similar number in the 22ft. class.; The best performance in the launch race was recorded by the Kowhai, which won two first prizes. Mr. P, Boonstra was starter for all classes; Mr. E. J. Kelly judge and timekeeper for the cruising races; Mr. W. A. Wilkinson judge, and Messrs. H. R. Arthur and 0. Johnson timekeepers for the harbour events. The details are as follows: —

THE LAUNCHES. . In the launch handicap Romance 11. was first away, olosely followed by Esther G., Coquette, Thelma, Surf, and Kowhai, with the rest handy, except Zealandia, which was 4m late. Kathryn R. t collided with Esther G. at the start, the latter losing her mast, and also sustaining other damage. Coquette soon went into the lead, followed by Esther G. and Romance. When they were well down the harbour, however, Romance passed Esther G., this order being kept till the finish.

THE KEEL YACHTS. The keel yachts were despatched to a good start, Speedwell leading the way over the line, followed by Cynthia, Victory, Queenie, Niobe, Vanitio. The following were late:— lm 20s; MaybeJle, lm 85s; Wairiki, lm 40s; Scout, lm 555; Moana, 3m 455; Eulalie, 5m 30s. Just before the start Scout and Moana got tangled up, the former's mast-head getting foul of the Moana's topping lift. Fortunately for Scout, her mast stood the strain, and she eventually got clear without damage. Victory was first to reach Islington Bay, and next to her came ■■ Queenie. '•■'.'.'

. -, THE CENTREBOARD BOATS. , ; : There was-- a general mix up at the start of this race. Twenty-four boats, representing ,various clubs, put in an appearance, and with a little less than a minute to go for gun fire, seven or eight boats got over the line. They were ordered back, but before they had time to return the gun fired, and as the starter was unable to identify all of them he called the start off and re-started them a, few minutes later. Venus led the way over the line, closely followed by Sadie, Hilda, Marere; 1 . Kotare, 'Esma, Spray ,_ Waitere 11., Starlight, Marie, and Waiapu, with the rest of the fleet handy, except Ngaro and Awatere, which were late, , the former . being 23m and the latter 35m behind time. . A light easterly breeze was blowing when the boats were despatched, but before they had gone very far the wind fell away, calms and light airs prevailing for the, remainder •> of the course. The first boat -to finish in the centreboard classes was the 22footer Marie.' - <■ <

THE ; HARBOUR RACES.

18FT. AND 16FT. • CLASSES'.

The 18ft. and 16ft. classes were sent away together, Mawhiti being first to cross the line, followed by Champagne, Leveret, Secret. Swiftsure. Phoebe, Wizard, Namu. and Millicent, with the others handy, except Sea Egg. which was 4Jm late. Champagne worked her way into the lead shortly after the start, followed by Wizard and Secret. At the Sandspit beacon the last-named headed Wizard. Rounding the Resolution buoy the order ■ was Champagne, Secret, Wizard, the boats mentioned maintaining their positions till the finish.

THE ONE-DESIGN CLASS. There were only five competitors in the raae ■ for the one-design class, namely] Bona, Joan, Iron Duke, Desert Gold, and Nyria. With the exception of Iron Duke, which was 5m 60s late, the boats were sent away to-a splendid start, all crossing the line # within twenty seconds of one another. Nyria took the lead early in the race, and led till off the Iris Wharf, where she was passed by; Desert Gold. * The latter met with a mishap to her standing rigging at this stage, and was also overtaken by Joan and Rona. The wind was now very light and it was, a very difficult, matter to reach tho Sandspit beacon. Rona eventually managed to get round and a little later Joan and Desert Gold followed her, both Nyria and Iron Duke giving up. Rona continued her lead till tho finish, followed. by Joan and Desert Gold in that order.

THE SQUARE BILGE BOATS. Nine boats started in th.» race for the 14ft. square bilge class. Cupid leading the way over the line, followed by Sea King, Sea -Elf, Sea De'il. and Sea Mew, with the rest handy. Cupid lea for some distance, when she was passed by Sea Gnome, and later on by Sea King. At the Resolution buoy, the order was: Sea Gnome, Sea King, and Cupid (together), and then Sea De'il. After passing this mark, Cupid replaced Sea King, the boats finishing in that order THE 14PT. HANDICAP CLASS. The race for this class brought out 12 competitors, which were led across the line by Valet, with Betty. Viper, Arawa. Omaki, Hapuka, and Cynic following close astern. Betty assumed the lead ■ early in , the race, and once in that position she was never headed. Redwing occupied second place, Cariad third, Valet fourth, and Hapuka fifth, on the beat round the course. THE FINISHING TIMES. The finishing times of all the boats, with their respective clubs and classes, are as follows:— ~-_ ROYAL N.Z. YACHT SQUADRON. Yachts.— (scr), 6h 26a 15s; Moana (scr). 6h 23m 555; Scout (13m), 7h 27m 40s Result: Victory, 1; Moana, 2; Scout. 3. - ' 14Ft. One-design Class.— 4h 82m 54s 1; Desert Gold. 4h 42m 575. 2. ■•'..-■•' Launches.Coquette (scr), 3h 5m 81sKathryn R. (11m), 3h 15m 435. Result: Kathryn R., 1; Coquette. 2.

AKARANA YACHT CLUB. Launches.Romance 11. (10m), 3h llm 425; Esther G. (lOJm), 3h 15m 15s; Kathryn R. (12m), 3h 15m 435; Surf. (10m). 3h 23m 28s. Result: Romance 11., 1; Kathryn R. 2; Esther G.. 3/ ■.;•.-. ;■'.■>■■-:■.".■■■■;'■. Keel Yachts.—Vanitie (scr). 6h 42m 55sWairiki (4m), 6h 51m 40s; Maybelle (11m)! 7h 41m 40s; Cynthia (16m). 8h 5m Bs. Result: Vanitie, 1; 'Wairiki. 2; Maybelle 3. Speedwell and Enlalie did not finish. 2GFt. Mullet Boats.— 11. (scr)' 6h 31m 30s. 1; Sadie'(4lm). 6h 41m 355, 2. Starloch, Celox, Kotare, Esma, Awatere, and Spray did not finish '■';.'■■■■:. : .;. ■ :./.,.■ . 22Ft. and Mullet Boats.—Marie (scr), 6h 19m ■ 235; Mowai.(7m), 7h 2m 275; Venus (lm). 7h 28m 51b;.Hilda (9m). 48ia Bit;

Waiapu (12m), 8h 24m 80s. Result:' Mario, 1; Mowai, 2; Venus, 8.. JNgaro,' Forest Gold. Lucille, and Winifred did ; not finish. ■;.' ,"'.- 18Ft and 16ft. Classes.—Champagne (21m), 5h 25m ss; Secret (lm). 5h 48m 275; Wizard (sex), 6h 62m 15s; Millicent (Bim), 6h 9m 355. Result) Champagne. 1; Secret, 2; Wizard, 8. V '" ; -~».'- : ; - : •-■ ;■ """—'• 14Ft; One-design Class/—Rona,, 4h 32m 645, :1; Joan, 4h 42m 85s. 2; Desert Gold, 4h 42m 675, 3. „Vi : -wv W^iFr: HFt. Square Bilge.—Sea Gnome dim), 4h 86m 68s; Cupid (scr). 4h 38m 81s; Sea King (4m). 4h' 39m 32a; Sea De'il (2m), 4h 46m 16s; Sea Elf (3im). 4h 60m 6s: Sea Breeze (4m), 4h 51m 235. Result: Sea King, 1: Sea Gnome, 2; Cupid, 3. 14Ft. Handicap Class.Betty dim behind scr), 5h Cm 6s; Redwing (2}m), 5h 9m 355; Cariad (2!m). 5h 10m 9b; Valet (lm). 5h ll m 295; Hapuka (sm), 6h 11m 31s; Cynio (4m). 5h 13m 41s; Arawa (2m), 5h 51m 4s. Result: Betty, 1; Hapuka. 2; Redwing, 3.

■ , VICTORIA CRUISING CLUB. • Launches.—Esther G. (Gm 80s). 3h 15m 15s; Kathryn K. (8m 80s). 3h 16m 435; Ngarena (21m 80s), 8h 24m 10s: Kowhai (37m 80s). 8h 36m 16s; Zealandia (32m 30s), 3h 38m 3s; Thelma (34m 455), 3h 46m 18s; Manurere (86m 80s). Result: Kowhai. 1; Ngarena, 2; Zealandia; 8. Keel Yachts.— Quoenie (scr), 5h 43m 20s; Vanitie dim), 6h 42m 655; Wairiki (7m), 6h 51m 40s; Cooee (7m), 8h 8m ss; Cynthia (33m), 8h 5m Bs. Result: Queenle, 1; Vanitie,_2; Wairiki, t3. Niobe, Speedwell, and Eulalie did not finish. . '■« 2GFt. Mullet Boats.—Waiter© 11. (scr). 6h 31m 80s; Sadie (9m), 6h 41m 85s; Starlight (scr), Oh 46m 2s. Result: Waitere 11., 1; Sadie, 2; Starlight, 3. These were the onlv boats to finish. 22* Ft Mullet Boats.—Marie (ear). 6h 19m 235; Mowai (12m). 7h 2m 275; Venus (3m), 7h 28m 61s; Kokiri (15m). 7h 80m 455; Hilda (16m), 7h 43m 245; Doreen (12m), 7h 68m 80s. Result: Marie. 1; Mowai. 2; Kokiri, 3. 20Ft. Mullet Wayward (91m). 7h 41m 15b, 1; Waiapu (9m). 8h 24m .80s, 2; Winifred, Ngaro, and Gloaming did not finish. 18Ft. Class.—Champagne, 21m), 6h 26m ss; Secret (80s). 5h 48m 275; Wizard (scr). 6h 62m 16s; Leveret (61m), 5h 59m 225; Millicent (8m). 6h 9m-858. Result: Champagne, 1: Secret, 2; Wizard. 8. >■-■ 16Ft. ' Classes. — (scr}. 4h 23m 80s; Atangatai (4m), 4h 27m 15s; Sea Egg (llm), 5h 15m 345; Dinkum (9m). 5h 21m 345. Result: Atangatai, 1; Namu. 2; Eea Egg. 3. 14Fft. ;■ One-design Class.—Rona, 4h 82m •Bitt. 1; Joan, 4h 42m 85s, S. ' 14Ft. Square Bilge.Sea Gnome (Urn), 4h 86m_68s; Cupid (sor), 4h 38m 31s; Sea De'il (21m). 4h 46m 16s; Sea Elf (sm). 4h 50m 6s; Sea Mew (21m). 4h' 61m 6s; Sea Breeze (4m), 4h 51m 235: Sea Lion (2m) 4h 52m Is. Result: Sea Gnome, 1; Cupid, 2: Sea De'il. 3. ■••••■ 14Ft. Handicap —Betty (llm behind scr), 6h 6m 6b; Cariad (2m),. 5h 10m 9s; Hapuka (6m). 6h llm 31»: Eileen B. (4m), 5h 13m ss; Viper (lm), 5h 16m 555; Omaki (39m). 5h 17m 20s; Recruit (6Jm). 5h 27m 445; Maybelle i(3lm). 6h 32m 525: Arawa (im), 6h 51m 4s. Result: Betty. 1; Hapuka, 2; Cariad, 3.

PONSONBY CRUISING CLUB., Launohes.Coquette (scr). 3h 5m 81s; Esther G. (7im), Sh 15m 15s; Kathryn R. (10m), 8h 15m 48s; Surf (73m). 8h 23m 28s; Kowhai (87lm), 8h 35m 16s. Result: Kowhai.'l; Coquette, 2; Kathryn R., 8. Ke<?l Yachts. —Quoenie (scr). 5h 43m 20s: Vanitie (2m). 6h 42 m 655; Wairiki (8m), 6h 61m 40s: Maybelle (121 m), 7h 41m 40s; Cooee (7lm). 8h 3m ss. Result: Queenie, 1; Vanitie, 2; Wairiki. 3. 28Ft. Mullet Boats.— 11. (scr). 6h 81m 80s,' 1; Sadie (4m). 6h 41m 85s, 2; Starlight dim). 6h 46m 2s, 3. 22Ft. and 20it. Mullet Boats.— (scr), 6h 19m 235; Mowai (9m), 7h 2m 275: Venus (3m), 7h 28m 51s; Wayward ,(17m). 7h 41m 15s; Hilda (131 m), 7h 43m 245; Doreen (9m). 7h 58m 30s. Result: Marie. 1; Mowai. 2; Wayward, 3. ' "

N.Z. POWER BOAT ASSOCIATION. The finishing: times were:—Coquette (scr), 8h 5m 81s; Esther G. (SJra), 3h 16m 15s; Kathryn R. (4Jm). 3h 15m 435; Leitner (10m 40s), 8h 20m 255; Surf (3m). Result: Coquette, 1; Leitner, 2; Kathryn R., 3.