OCEAN YACHT RACES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18901, 26 December 1924, Page 6

OCEAN YACHT RACES.

TAURANGA AND RUSSELL.

THIRTY BOATS COMPETING.

ARRIVALS AT TAURANGA.

The annual ocean yacht races to Tauranga and Russell started off the King's Wharf on Wednesday evening. Nine boats faced the starter, Mr. B. W. Beaumont, in the race to Tauranga, and 21 in the Russell event.

The Tauranga boats were sent, away at 7.15 p.m., Wairiki crossing the line first, closely followed by lorangi, Prize, Moana, Queenie. and Rawene. Waitangi was 2m late, Ida 3m, and Rangi, 25m.

The race to Russell was divided into two classes—keel and centreboard—which were sent away together at 7.30 p.m. The 21 boats made a splendid picture as they all crossed the line within a few seconds of one another. Sadie was first to get away, and then came Marere, Starlight, Spray, Speedwell, Delville, Waitere, Awatere, Ngaru 11., Celox, Kotiri, Marie, Kohiri, .Waiapu, Doreen, Ngahau, Lady Sterling, Heartsease, Peri, and Ilex. Forest Gold and Valkyrie were both late.

A very light south-west wind was blowing, which was slightly in favour of the boats going north as it gave them a run as far as Tiri Tiri and a lead up the coast.

The Tauranga boats steered a northeast course after passing North Head. Most of the keel yachts carried their topsails, while a number of the boats also endeavoured to set their spinnakers well forward.

It was difficult to hear a telephone message from Tauranga last evening, but as far as could be judged the Herat's correspondent gave the following boats as first in, in the order named:—lorangi, Moana, Waitangi and Prize.