THE RUSSELL REGATTA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19832, 30 December 1927, Page 11

THE RUSSELL REGATTA.

YACHT RACE TO SPEEDWELL,

OUTBOARD MOTOR RACES:

SUCCESS OF MISS AKARANA*

[cr TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. J RUSSELIi, Thursday.

The annual regatta was held at Russell to-day, and was somewhat marred by unfavourable weather in the early part of the morning. Drizzling rain fell until about 11 o'clock, and undoubtedly affected the attendance, which was poor compared with previous years. Great interest was taken in the races for outboard motors, no fewer than. 15 bor.ts taking part in the .various events for this clans. The weather later in the day; was favourable, there being little wind in the bay, and the water being smooth. The open and restricted outboard motorboat championships of New Zealand were won by Miss Akarana, owned by Mr. L. Palmer, of Parnell. Miss Akarana was loading in the interprovincial challenge shield race when she capsized at the last turn, within 200 yds. of the finishing mark., This gave the race to Geoff Evin, steered by Mr. L. Warne, and representing Whangaroa. For the sailing events the yachts had a light northerly wind, which was rather patchy. Toward the finish, however, the breeze freshened, and became a littlo steadier. The arrangements for the regatta were well carried out by the secretary, Mr. H. S. Williams, assisted by Mr. T. Boucher, chairman of the committee.

Details are:—

Eace For Keel Yachts. Iveel Yachts.—The competing yachts were, Ariki, Thelma, Victory, LadyG Wilma, Speedwell, Delville and Ngahan. From a splendid start Ladye Wilma crossed the line just ahead of Victory, closely followed by Speedwell, Delville, Ariki and Ngahau. Thelma was 30s late. Ladye Wilma retained hei - lead until approaching the buoy, where she was passed by Ariki and a littlo later by Victory. Spinnakers wore set for the run to the nobby buoy, and the boats began to tail out. Speedwell picked up on Ariki, Ladye Wilma and Victory, while Delville closed up a little. On the beat up to the flagship Ariki made a long board into Wabapu Bay, but the others stood across pn the opposite shore. On completion of the first round the times were: Ariki, 12h 28m 555; Victory, 12h 31m 575; Ladye Wilma, 12h 35m Is; Speedwell, 12h 37m 40s; Thelma,. 12h 39m 425; Delville, 12h 39m 41s;-Nga-hau, 12h 42m lis. The same order was kept in the second round, but several boats overlaid the mark with the tide under their lee when the wind went more to the north. The finishing times were: Ariki (scr), 111, 42m 10s; Victory (9m), lh 52m 31s; Ladye Wilma (15m), lh 54m 20s; Speedwell (28m), lh 55m 42-s; Thelma (3jm), 2h 3m 31s; Delville (30m), 2h 4m 595; Ngahau (24m), 2h ~Bm 455. Result: Speedwell, 1; Delville, 2; Ladye Wilma, 3.

A complaint was lodged against Speedwell. for fouling the warp on the starter's launch, but no action was taken, as the launch was blown toward Speedwell, which did all in her power to avoid a foul.

The Mullet Boats, In the race for centreboard boats~Wairerc crossed the line first, closely followed by Spray, Celox, Sadie, Starlight, Winifred, Calypso. Rounding the . first mark the order was Starlight, Celox, Spray, Sadie, Calypso, Winifred and Wairere. Starlight drew away from the others, and when she hauled on the wind she further improved her position. In the second round Starlight experienced one or two calm patches, and the backmarkers picked her Up. The finishing times were Starlight (scr.), 2h 16m 51s; Spray (2£m), 2h 19m 275; Winifred (12m), 2h 19m 50s; Celox (2m), 2h 21m 545; Sadie (2m 30s), 2h 23m 51s; Calypso (3m 30s), 2h 31m 6s; Wairere (15m), 2h 33m 41s. Spray and- Winifred rounded the wrong mark in the second lap owing to being misinformed and voluntary gave up any claim to the race. The result was:—Starlight, 1; Waiwere, 2; Celox, 3.

Events for Launches. All-comers' Launch Race. —Zane Grey (scr.), lh 34m 15s, 1; Haeta (8m), lh 34m 20s, 2; Daisy (24m), lh 36m 58s, 3. Moana Was the only starter in the race for local launches and completed the course in 3h 6m 565. Local Hire Launches Race.—Alma G (scr.), 4h 48m 10s, 1; Moana (15m), 4h 50m 3s, 2; Korora (l?m), sh, 3. Rose Marie (15m) did not finish. Race for Auxiliary Vessels.—Wairere (4m), 5h 42m 475; Elta H (scr.), sh' 47m 15s; Putara (40m), 6h Om 28s; Ciio (50m), 6h 8m 355. Result Clio, 1; Putara, 2; Wairere, 3.

Outboard Motor Boats. The New Zealand open championship for outboard motor-bouts brought, out • eight competitors. A good start was efleeted, Miss Akarana taking rthe lead, followed by Baby Joy, Geoff Evin, Funny 'Un, Caille L and Kurly Kale. The" other starter, Opit, steered by Miss Brooke, had the misfortune to losa her engine overboard in about 18ft. of water. Miss Akarana led all the way and established a speed of 27.4 miles per hour. The finishing times were:—Miss Akarana, 12h 50m 18s, 1; Baby Joy, 12b. 50m 31s; 2; Geoff Evin, 12h 50m 40s, 3. Caille 1., Funny 'Un and Kurly Kale finished some distance further back. In the B class championship Miss Akarana, fitted with a Standard engine, again took the lead, followed by Baby Joy, Geoff "Evin, Rose Marie and Caille 1. Caille I. and Geoff Evin stopped and the race resulted: —Miss Akarana, 2h 8m 12s, 1; Baby Joy, 2h 9m 2s, 2; Rose Marie, 2h 9m 345, 3. Miss Akarana averaged 24 miles an hour in th\si event. In the challenge shield race Miss Akarana, representing Auckland, establisrieu a big lead, but alter passing the last flag, within a short distance of the finishing time, capsized, leaving only other competitor, Geoff Evin, to finish at 3h 12m 525. iln the outboard motor handicap race 16 craft entered, but only nine started. • Geoff Evin, Miss Akarana and Baby Joy were the leaders, but at the last maik Miss Akarana got out of control and retired. In doing so, the Auckland boat unfortunately caused Baby Joy *-° s down to avoid a collision. The result was:—Kurly Kale (2nl; Baby Joy (lm), 2; Geoff Evin (21s), 3. The annual ocean race from Russell to Onerabi will start from Russell at 9 a.m. to-morrow. Ths entrants are Celox, Calypso, Sadie, Wairere and Starlight.