YACHTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18943, 14 February 1925, Page 13

YACHTING.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. BY SPINDRIFT. A feature of tho Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron's general handicap last Saturday was the good showing of the Moana,' which carried of! the first prize by the narrow margin of one second. Getting the best of the start, the Moana held her lead until approaching the Bastion beacon, where she was passed by lorangi. The latter quickly drew away from Moana on the run out to the channel mark, but neither Prize nor Rawene, which were both allowing Moana time, were unable to make much of an impression on her: The direction of the wind gave the boats a great deal of leading, and this suited Moana. On the last leg from the Rona buoy, however, both Prizo and Rawene closed up on her, bub were unable to beat her across the finishing line. Tho race between Prize and Rawene was very interesting. Tim latter led Prize round the course ' till shortly after passing the Rona buoy off Northcote, when Prize, which had the weather berth, drew away from Rawene, beating her "in' by 33 _ seconds. It was a good day for the limit boats, on account of there being very little windward work. The race for class M was keenly foug.it cut between Mawhiti and Maroro, the former gaining the verdict by eignt seconds. Mollio and Matarero were not as prominent as usual. The 22-footer Marie, owned by Mr. V . Lidgard, which has won the Lipton challenge cup for the past two years, will again defend the trophy this _ season on behalf of the Akarana Yacht ('li b. Kn tries for the contest, which will be held on April 4, close with the Ponsonbv Cruising Club next Wednesday. The annual regatta promoted by the residents of Northcote and Birkenheao. which was held last Saturday, passed oil verv successfully. The weather conditions were very favourable, and m almost every instance all the boats that hacl ] entered faced the starter and completed the course. A feature of the regatta was the large number of entries received tor the visitors' race for centreboard boats, which totalled 18, the first prize being won bv Lovelight. , , , The'Akarana Yacht Club has completed arrangements for its cruising race _o Cowes Bay which will be, hold on February 28. Boats will race in their own class, but in order to get an early start several of tho classes will be. sent awaytogether. The 16ft, and 18ft classes and the. Star class will start at 2.00 p.m., all the mullet boats at 2.40 p.m., the keel vachts at 2.50 p.m., and the launches at 2.55 p.m. For this race entries wilL be received for launches over 10 knots and under 10 knots. In the evening a social and dance will be held at Lowes. Should the weather be unsuitable tor the Waiheke Passage the destination will he altered to Awaroa Bay. A silver cup has been presented to the club by tno Brett Printing Company for annual competition in the Star class. So popular were the races for speed boats hold by the New Zealand Powerboat Association on January 31, that the association has now decided to hold another series at an early date. A race for the Star class will be held this afternoon. The competitors will be Ola IV., June, and Moa. The race will start at 2.45 p.m., from off Devonport "Wharf, and will be sailed over a triangular course, which will be decided upon just prior to the start. THE YACHT SQUADRON. ANNUAL OCEAN RACE The Roval New Zealand Yacht Squadron will hold its annupal ocean race for yachts this afternoon and also a haroour race for Class M. The course for tiie ocean race, the Jirst prize for which is £ls 15s, donated by Commodore A. E. (.iifford, is from the i starting lino off King s thence . round Bird Rock, south of Elephant I Cove, off Coromandel coast, thence round Canoe Rock, off Kawau, thence to Matiatia, via Rakino and Motutapu passages, finishing between southern point of bay and launch moored north; distance about 80 nautical miles. Tho race will start at 2.30 p.m., the entries being lorangi, Prize, Rawene, Moana, and Scout. Ihe handicaps will be declared this morning. The race for ( lass M will start at 2.45 p.m., and will be sailed , over the squadron's usual harbour course, starting and finishing off King's Wharf. The entries are Mollie, Maroro, Mawhiti, and Matarere. DEYONPORT YACHT CLUB. The Devonport Yacht Club will hold its annual regatta next Saturday. A splendid programme has been drawn up, including races for speed boats, which are expected to make a really good showing. Entries close on Wednesday at tho usual places. The club lias been very fortunate i lately in receiving some valuable cups and trophies. Of these the most important is a cup donated by Mr. T. J. Duder, of Devonport, valued at £2OO. It is unique in design, taking the form of a nautilus shell supported by two seahorses. This year the cup has been allotted to the 22ft. class (L) for competition, but next season it will be given to another class, the j idea being that each class will have the opportunity of competing for it from time I to time. A miniature of the cup will be i awarded to the winner. Mr. Duder is one of Devonport's oldest residents, and has always taken a very keen interest in yachting. The other trophies have i been allotted as follows: —Jellicoe Cup | (presented by Earl Jellicoe), 14ft X class; Maud Shield, C and E classes; Edwin Cup, A and B classes. All the foregoing will be competed for next Saturday. MANUKAU HARBOUR RACES. The Manukau Cruising Club has cancelled its 'official opening arranged for to-day owing to the health restrictions. Races will be held during the afternoon for launches, while yachts will compete for the champion cup and the Fearon cup, competitors m the latter being limited to boats not exceeding 18ft. in length. The cruising club's usual course will bo followed. This afternoon will see the principal event in the Manukau Yacht and Motorboat Club's season, the champion cup. The conditions provide that all the yachts start from headsails and anchors down. The course will be from a point between tho clubhouse and mark buoy, round the first black buoy off the wharf, thence round to the eighth red buoy, twice round. All marks are to bo kept on the starboard hand, except the last black buoy on the last time up, which must be passed on the port hand; no gybing round marks. The course is about a knot longer than usual. The following yachts have entered: Elsie, Nyria, Mistral, Merry Jest and Aroha. It is expected that competition will be very keen, as the winner holds the cup for a year, besides becoming the absolute owner of a flag. One of the competitors, the Elsie, has won the cup on the last three occasions for* Mr. W. Hudson, while the Ngaronia has also won the cup two years in succession. Mr. W. Yaughan is to act as starter, and be is ;>lso handicapper and starter for the. handicap yacht race, for' those yachts which do not start for tiie champion cup. The following are the handicaps Elsie, scr; Nyria, 10m j Mistral, 11m; Merry Jest, 12m: Aroha, 23m: Rover, 25m; Gladys, 27m; Sea Toiler, 28m; Westward, 30m; Dauntless, 33m; Swift, 40m; Emerald, 45m. The fifth launch race for the season is also to take place this afternoon on the Manukau, for which the following handicaps have been announced:—Adois, scr; Karma, 9|m; Naughty Girl, 14J,m; Rainbow, Isi.ni; Cyrena, 16|m ; Norma, 20m ; Pastime, 20m; Lily Meg. 21m; Elma, 22m; Karoro, 23m j Awatea, 23Jm; Ail Black. 24Ani: Yerdi, 25m: Kaiapoi, 1 25im; Ngaronia, 26;, m: Salome, 29m; Maud (nev.- iantich, handicap not yet decided). In this race the launches arc ail to be. steered by lady members of the club, and it is expected that the public will shuw'their cstial keen interest in the taee. 'I'M?, evening the annual champion cup t.aiicf is to be held in the club house.