YACHTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18565, 24 November 1923, Page 14

YACHTING.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. EVENTS ON OPENING DAT. The weather last Saturday was by no means favourable for the official opening of the yachting season ; a fresh northerly wind accompanied by rain squalls prevailing throughout the afternoon. ;• Despite the unpleasant conditions, however, 1 over 70 per cent, of the boat« that had entered in the various clubs, faced the starter, including the Takapuna Club's 12ft Gin one-design boat®. In the early part of the afternoon a fairly big sea was running which prevented several crews from getting off to their boats moored in Judges Bay in time to take part in the racing, while others were late in storting. The entries in tho various clubs totalled 290, and while this does not represent the number of boats taking part, owing to some craft competing in two or mm« clubs, the number was well over 100. In the smaller classes the entries were not so large as in previous years, but there was a decided improvement in the keel class, 16 boats facing the starter against nine last year. In the 26ft mullet class nine boats started against eight last season. Two new boats made their appearance in the 18ft class, and one each in the 14ft one-design, 14ft handicap, and 16ft classes. The new keel yacht Prize had been entered in several of the clubs, but her skipper was unwilling to risk spoiling his new sails and consequently she aid not start. Later in the afternoon, however, she proceeded to Islington Bay under a trysail.

Interest in One-Design Class. The race for the 14ft one-design class created great interest, the doings of the new boat Queen March being eageriy looked forward to. It was generally anticipated that the contest would ve fought out between Queen March and Rona. but as it so happened the latter was never prominent. Early in the race it could be seen that Joan, which has had a slight alteration made to her tuck since last season, was going to prove serious competition for Queen March. The new boat went into the lead shortly after the start, rounding the top _ mark lm. as. ahead of Desert Gold, which was three seconds ahead of Joan. After making the buoy Joan passed Desert Gold ana although Queen March increased her lead on the way down the harbour Joan, by keeping closer in shore caught up the new boat before reaching the Sandspit beacon. The run across the harbour saw Joan pass Queen March. Approaching the Resolution buoy, however, Queen March regained the lead, but when sheets were brought inboard Joan once more headed her rival on the close haul to the tide deflector. Placed a Winner by a Wave.

As they approached the finishing lino Joan looked like a winner, but when within a boat's length of it Queen March got on the top of a wave which shot her ahead of Joan. The next wave drove Joan ahead, but it was too late - i - the line had already been crossed by Queen March, which got the verdict by the narrow mar gin of one second. The finish , caused great excitement among the supporters of both boats assembled on the -King's Wharf. Another good finish was witnessed between the new boat Kismet and Viper, racing in Class T. Tho former led Viper nearly round the course by a very' small margin until just before rounding tho : Sandspit beacon, when Viper passed her rival. "It was a "ding aong-t go" .to the judges' boat and jest as the boats were about to cross the line Viper's skipper took his attention off his boat, with the result that he allowed Kismet to beat him. over by one second.

In the 18ft classes the patikis Matnrere and Mawhiti proved too good on the day for the big square bilge ,7 flatties." The 26 footers Waitere IT and Starlight wore always within easy distance of on* another, Waitere 11, having the advantage finishing five seconds ahead of Starlight Tho 20 footer Wairere, formerly known as the Lily, was the surprise of the day-. .She started in four clubs and earned off the first prize in each, beating several 22 footers who were allowing her time. "

Alterations in Placing®. When the results came up for confirmation bv the Auckland Yacht and Motorboat Association on Tuesday evening, 0»j», SuPfV th l Rising events reported gat both the launches Defender and Nomad raced without their registered numbers and the association decided to disqualify the two boats. . - The revised pladngs of the launches in the club? affected are Royal New Zealand Yacnt Squadron; Adelaide 1; Kathryn R, 2Zealand Power oat AssociationAdelaide 1: Leitner 2: Surf 3. . » the Victoria Cruising Club's race for 22 footers Lovelight , was placed first, Valeria second and Dereen third. The judge remarking that through a clerical error the Valeria, had been given first place instead 0 the Lovelight. The judge f^J}\ h 5 rbour . ev , en . ts reported that the v £« h3d J c A ps ? zd ln the race for the Y clssii and that- Contnuance had gone to the assistance of the w*w. It was decided to hold the result of this race over and in the meantime hold an inquiry into the capsize. Dealing witH this matter the association praised the action of Cant' VI. Raynes, of the Waipu, in not onlv and ZP P t6 ( C Tv- 0 / both " he Cupid and the Resolute (which . also capsized SS S r - aC * Ua j y , hoist "ig the boats on to £ a,ld W«« ttem up The Ponaonby Cruising Club' will hold *TO b OO for yachts and launches Lariat Bay , next Saturday, and also harbour race? for open and half-decked boats. -Entries close on Wednesday. , The Devonport Yacht Club, which is holding harboui races this afternoon, has decided to race classes X and T separately and not together as previously derided upon. In addition to the handicaps published m yesterday's issue, the following have been declared in the keel class-— lorangi, scr; Prize. 5m.; Moana 84m • Victory. 9m. ; Little Jim, 17m., Rlngi,' 22m. The Btartin<" times in all fV, ft c lw p ' -are as under .--Keel yachts, 2.30 p.m.": class p.m. 2.43 p.m.; classes and N, 2.50 p.m.; classes M and V, 3 Dm • 22 x; 3 3 .1 ; cla * Y ' 3 20 £5!