RACE ACROSS TASMAN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20823, 16 March 1931, Page 10

RACE ACROSS TASMAN.

1 fTHREE BOATS COMPETE.

START IN IDEAL WEATHER.

NEW ZEALAND'S HOPE.

RANG! ABLE TO SAIL.

SCENE ON THE WAITEMATA.

, The yacht race across .the Tasman Sea / to Sydney was started from Auckland on Saturday afternoon. Nothing could have been moro picturesque than tho scene on tho Waitemata Harbour as Auckland gave its send-off to the three entrants in the race, tho first of its kind tho Tasman has known. A cloudless sky, a light breeze, stately keelers, launches and small craft—it was a memorablo day. At two o'clock tho Norwegian yacht Teddy crossed tho starting line off King's iWharf, followed a minuto later by the Melbourne-owned auxiliary yacht Oimara. Forty minutes later, after her hasty prejiaration, tho Auckland-owned yacht Bangi crossed tho starting line. The crews are:— Oimara, Australia and Boval St. Hilda Yacht Club.—Mr. F. J. Bennell (owner), Captain 11. J. Symonds (navigator and skipper), Mr. J. Bennell, junr., and Mr. C. Constance, of the Akarana Club. Teddy, Norway.—Mr. Erling Tambs (owner and navigator), Messrs. B. Goodwin, E. W. Bone, 11. Brown and W. G. Parkinson. Bangi, Now Zealand and Akarana Yacht Club, Auckland.—Lieutenant-Commander W.• C. Juler (navigator), Messrs. E. Spraggon, D. Kirkcaklio and A. Clarke. ! / The Last Farewells. Tho two yachts Oimara and Teddy, berthed between Central Wharf and Queen's Wharf, had attracted moro than ordinary attention ever since tho race was first mooted. Tho interest of the public increased each day and throughout Saturday morning the two boats were tho centre of interest of hundreds of people. By one o'clock the crowd had swelled to 1000 or more. It was 1.30 when the first sails went up, amid cheers from the crowd. The last farewells were exchanged and 10 minutes later the Teddy was towed into the stream. Tho syren of the steamer, Poyt Pirie at Queen's Wharf sounded good wishes. ; Further cheers from the crowd and blasta from the Port Pirie's syren accompanied the Oimara as she also was towed into tho stream a few minutes later.

The largo "-N1" on her mainsail showing prominently amid the maze of canvas of the dozens of Auckland craft, and flying a Norwegian flag,- the Teddy sailed past the end of King's Wharf, whither the greater part of the crowd had moved to watch the start. A launch shot out from the wharf and streamers were thrown to the Teddy, which now had put about and ■was waiting for tho start. The Oimara flew her club pennant and carried her club designation, "59," at the peak of her mainsail. She also passed the end of King s Wharf and then put about ready for the start.

Forty Minutes Late,

• The activity in the harbour rivalled that of;-a regatta day. Sailing craft of every plass headed up and down, waiting to accompany- the cont'estants down the f <irwtiy,: and launches, lnrge and small, dodged in and out. Yachts approached .from every point. Five . minutes "before two o'clock the ■first .giin went and the two contestants bore down to the starting line. So dense was tho escort that at, times it was difficult to pick out the two boats. The starting gun was fired and the first transtasinan yacht raco had begun. Cheer after cheer went up, the crews waved a farewell and the Teddy"and the Oimara were on their way, crowded on either side by their escorts down the harbour. It was known that strtwiis efforts were being made to hi.ve the Rangi on the starting line at 2.45 and at the first "Hero she comes" a cheer went up from those who had remained !\f;iny people had ieft when the first two boats started, but there was still a large crowd when the Rangi came into sight. She was accompanied by a fleet of launches and was given a send-olf, which, if a little less spectacular than that of f lie other boats, was nevertheless as hearty. The tow-line was cast off a short distance from King s "Wharf.• the mainsail was raised and at a bout'2,4o the Rangi crossed the starting line. Perfect Conditions,

There could have been no better day for the start of the raco. The sea was calm and there was a nice topsail breeze blowing from the south-south-west. Hie Teddy took 33 minutes to North Head and gained 19 seconds from the Oimaia. Tho Rnngi sailed faster down the harbour and made 10 minutes on tho leddy before disappearing from sight round North Head. The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron gives the official order of starting as follows:— Teddy. 2.1 p.m.; Oimara, 2.2 p.ni; Rangi, 2.'41 p.m. At the request of Mr. Bennell and Mr. Tambs,- Hie times of the In to starters were recorded and an allowance will be made at tho finish of tho lac'e. Tho progress of tho raco down the jWaitemata was watched by hundreds of people, who could lie seen crowding every vantage point on both sides of the harbour. From King's Wharf to St. Hcliers Bay tile waterfront was lined with cars and people. WEATHER PROSPECTS. LIGHT SOUTHERLY WINDS. = CONDITIONS O.N THE COAST.

When the three yachts left Auckland on Saturday afternoon there was a light eoutherfy wind, which would lie a following wind up the coast. Promising weather conditions prevailed, the barometer being steady at 30.35 in., which indicated that there was no disturbance within a considerable distance 'of Auckland.

• According to the report, of the light-house-keeper at Cape Brett last' evening the' weather was fine and the wind was 'light from the south-east. The signalman at the Manukau Heads reported last evening that conditions on '"'.ho Tas'rrian Sea had been fine during "tHe week-end." There was a light westerly The sea was smooth and the. skv ■Was overcast.

It is possible that after passing Cape \Marli tho yachts will meet with the pre-''vailing-south-westerly and westerly winds, in which c.ise tacking will be necessary. /