YACHT RACING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20819, 11 March 1931, Page 17

YACHT RACING.

REGATTA AT NORTHCOTE.

MOST SUCCESSFUL FIXTURE.

,THELMA ESTABLISHES RECORD,

/ BY SPINDRIFT. ♦ The annual regatta held by the residents of Northcoto and Birkenhead on Saturday was a great success. Over 100 boats of all classes took part in the racing, and with a few exceptions all completed the course. Apart from the Wairere carrying away her bowsprit there were no serious mishaps. Good starts and big fields Were features of the day. The southerly breeze gave the boats a lot of leading, all the first prizes being by other than scratch boats, except in class T, in which Sybila accounted for the main trophy.

The despatch of tho 26-footers was one of the prettiest sights witnessed on tho harbour for some years past. _ Eight boats started, and, with one exception, all crossed tlys line together. Omatere, which has had a run of bad luck this season —breaking her mast on ono occasion and carrying away her bowsprit in another race—completely turned the tables on Starlight and Spray and finished only 2m 42s astern of Starloch. Tho lastnamed also sailed a good race, but she was unable to allow Omatere her handicap of 3m/ first place going to Omatere unci second to Starloch. Tho 22ft. class was represented by 15 lioats and the fleet made an excellent showing at the start. Rakoa, which has done very little racing this year, finished first, but was placed third on corrected times. ' All Types Represented. The race for local boats brought out a very mixed class of yachts. All types wero represented, including an 18ft. scow, which' caused a great deal of curiosity. 1 his boat has a cargo hold and was built by a resident of Northcoto. She completed tho course and while she failed to ga.n a prize she beat a number of racing boats across tho finishing line. The regal .a was well managed. All events were started to timo and no protests were received. The side-show events in connection with tho regatta will bo tarried out at Hinemoa Park, Birkcn.liead, on Saturday. These will includo diving, swinmiiig, rowing, greasy boom and novelty races. A featuro of tho Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron's race to To Kouma on Saturday for tho T. M. Alexander iUemorial Cup. was tho smart timo recorded by trie boats. Tho distanco from King's Whfrf to To Kouma is 36 miles Bird this wis covered by Thelma in 4h 15rn 18s,/-wiich is a record for the race. Nga-Toa took 4h 20m 3s, and Ariki 4h 20m lis. There was only a light breeze when the "ace started and it was not, until late in the afternoon that the wind increased in strength. All the boats completed the courso ■within 38 minutes of each other. Most of the yachts oajile home on Sunday, via tllO I'oniii Passage and got becalmed in the passage for about two ho-irs. Mr. E. Tanibs, owner of the yacht Teddy, formed one of the crew of Kotuku, which picked up tho dismasted yacht Janet. Captain H. J. Symonds and "Lieut.-Conrnander C. Juiler, of tho Australian yacht Oimara, were also guests of the squadron in the race. Captain Symonds sailed on the Waitangi and his companion on the Thelma. Governor-General's Cup.

The (squadron will hold its annual raco for the Governor-General's Cup on Saturday for first-class yachts and also races for second class boats and class M.

The outboard division of the New Zealand Power Boat Association will hold a series of races on the Panmure Basin on Saturday. Ten events will bo derided, including championships in the A, B. C, D and over classes and runabouts. The Taniaki Yacht Club will hold its annual regatta on Saturday. The programme will include races for mullet boats, star class and all 18ft. and under classes. Most of the prizes will be cash, •.jrhe Meicury Bay regatta will bs '-eld on Easter Saturday, April 4. A good programme has been decided upon and the usual ocean races for keel yachts and centreboard boats will be held, starting from King's Wharf about 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 2.