YACHTING FIXTURES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19469, 27 October 1926, Page 16

YACHTING FIXTURES.

THE SEASON'S PROGRAMME. DECISIONS OF ASSOCIATION. COST OF SANDERS CUP CONTEST. The annual meeting of the Auckland Yacht and Motor Boat Association was held last evening, Mr. J. B. Johnston presiding over a full a(tendance of delegates. The report stated that sinco the termination of the Great War yachting on tho Waiteraata had progressed steadily, the past season witnessing great advancement in both branches of the sport. Racing among the keel yachts proved very keen, and the advent during the coming season of a new first-class keel yacht would still further enliven competition. Of the mullet boat classes it regretted to report that many of the 2s, 26 and 24footers have been into auxiliaries, and it was anticipated there would be insufficient of these craft to warrant holding many races. However, it was refreshing to note that tho L class 22ft. mullet boats was stronger than ever and tho N class, too, was holding its own. Remarkable popularity had followed the introduction of the V class, 18ft. squarebilge sailers, and an attempt was now being maclo to build somewhat similar type, but 22ft. overall, to try conclusions with the L class. The S'class had many additions during last season and was deservedly popular. Brilliant Racing in M Glass. The M class, Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, 18ft. restricted class, provided some of the most brilliant racing Sast seasond and this without tfie bugbear of handicaps. None of the races for 14footers of the X, T or Y classes attracted at all good fields, probably because attention was now focussed on the larger boats in the 18ft. classes. Speedboat racing proved very popular indeed. The New Zealand speed championship race was won by Miss Virginia, of Wanganui. There was a growing interest in this branch of the sport, and also in the holding of long-distance races for launches. The growth of the Z class was evidenced by the keen inter-provin-cial racing last season for the Cornwall Cup'. In tho 1926 contest for the Sanders Memorial Cup, the Betty, representing the province of Canterbury, secured the hoaours. The expenses incurred in sending the Avalon and crew to Dunedin were much lower than was anticipated, but it was regretted that several clubs failed to make any contribution, and a few others paid in unduly small sums. The Sanders Cup contest was inter-pro-vincial and the financing of a contender was essentially a matter for all interested clubs in the province. The association apportioned the cost of conducting each contest as equitably as possible among the affiliated clubs, and it appealed to all these clubs to meet their responsibilities in future. There were now 13 clubs in tho ranks of the association, 11 (10 yacht clubs and 1 power-boat club}, having their headquarters on the Waitemata, and two their headquarters on the Manukau. With but two exceptions all affiliated clubs had their own clubhouses. The statement of accounts showed k credit balance of £22 12s. Election of Officers. The election of officers resulted:— Chairman, Mr. J. B. Johnston; vicechairman, Mr. C. H. T. Palmer; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr. A. J. Collings; hon. auditor, Mr. B. W. Beaumont; hon. solicitor, Mr. J. Alexander; measurers, Messrs. E. J. Kelly and A. V. Tyer; starter, Mr. H. R. Arthur; judge, harbour races, Mr. W. A. Wilkinson; timekeepers, Messrs. H. R. Arthur, G. E. Laycock and A. J. Collings; judge, cruising races, Mr. E. J. Kelly; timekeeper, Mr. W. D. Ross; inspectors of ballast, Messrs. C. H. T. Palmer and E. B. Webster. It was decided to open the yachting season on Saturday, November 20. with a combined cruising race to Islington Bay for the larger yachts and launches, and harbour races for the 18ft. and under classes. Dates Allotted to Olnbs. The following dates for the season were allotted:— November 20.—Combined harbour and cruising racer,, all clubs. November 27.—Takapuna Boating Club. December 4.—Combined cruising race, Ponsonbv, Richmond and Victoria Clubs. December 11.—Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. Akarana Yacht Club, New Zealand Power Boat Association. December 18.—Victoria Cruising Club, Tamaki Yacht Club, January B.—Power Boat Association, Akarana Yacht Club. January 15.—Takapuna Boating Club regatta, Point Chevalier Sailing Club regatta, Milford Cruising Club regatta. January 22.—Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. Akarana Yacht Club. January 29.—Auckland Anniversary Regatta. February 5. —Combined cruising race, Ponsonby, Victoria, Richmond and Takapuna Clubs. Royal New Zealand Yacht iSquadron, New Zealand Power Boat Association, Fel.ruary 12.—Victoria Cruising Club regctta. T ebruary 19.—Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, Akarana Yacht Club. February 26.—Devonport Yacht Club regatta, New Zealand Power Boat Association regatta. March s.—Northcote and Birkenhead Regatta Club, Victoria Cruising Club. March 12. Ponsonby Cruising Club regatta, New Zealand Power Boat Association. March 19.—Akarana Yacht Club and Takapuna Club combined cruising race, Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, NewZealand Power Boat Association. March 26.—New Zealand Power Boat Association, Devonport Yacht Club Tamaki Yacht Club. April 2.—Richmond Cruising Ciub regatta. April 9.—Ponsonby Cruising Club, Power Boat Association. April 18.—Tamaki Yacht Club regatta, April 23.—Final combined cruising and harbour races, all clubs. April 30.—Victoria Cruising Club.