PROGRESS UP COAST.

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

PROGRESS UP COAST.

POSITION AT CAPE BRETT.

OIMARA IN THE LEAD

TEDDY AND RANGI FOLLOW.

Shortly after the start tho Oimara set her square sail, and 20 minutes later she put up her topsail. The Teddy set her spinnaker in tho channel. After rounding North Head tho Bangi set her spinnaker and gained on the leaders rapidly. At 5.30 o'clock the Teddy passed Tiritiri lighthouse. In tho meantime tho Bangi passed tho Oimara and was one mile astern of tho Teddy at Tiritiri, the Oimara being half a mile behind tho Bangi.

At sovon o'clock on Saturday evening tho Bangi was leading tho Teddy by about a mile and tho Oimnra was about four miles behind the Teddy.

The lighthouse-keepor at Capo Brett reported last evening that tho Oimara had passed tho cape at 11.15 yesterday morning about four or five miles from the shore. Tho Teddy followed at three o'clock yesterday afternoon, sailing closer inshore and taking tho passage between Goat Island and Piercy Island. The Bangi was about four miles out and was about a mile and a-half behind the Teddy. The weather was fino and tho wind very light from the south-east. Tho lighthousekeeper expressed the opinion that tho Toddy was making a mistake by keeping so close inshore, as further out ho thought there would be a better prospect of catching tho wind. In view of the light wind and the load she has gained, it is thought that the Oimara must be making use of her engine, as she is allowed to subject to certain conditions. The distance to Cape Brett from Auckland is 110 miles, which means that tho Oimara's speed over the distance was about five knots, and that of the Teddy and tho Bangi 4.4 knots. Between Cape Brett and Capo Maria thore is a distance of another 105 miles to cover. At their present rate of progress tho yachts should pass there to-day, the Oimara at about 11 o'clock this morning and the other two about threo o'clock this afternoon. "I am very pleased with tho progress the Bangi is making,' said tho owner, Mr. W. A. E. Leonard, last evening. "As I expected, in smooth water, she overtook her handicap. The reason the Bangi has sacrificed her lead is that as Commander Juler did not know the coast I advised him to take the steamer course outside tho Chickens so that he would have Mokohinau light on his starboard and the Chickens' light on his port sido last night. This would take them straight on a course insido tho Poor Knights Islands. This was a longer course, iut it was a new crew and, after being busy storing provisions, they would be very tired. I wanted them to bo as free froi; anxiety as possible."

Mr. Leonard said that Mr. H. Brown, of the Rawene, who was a member of the Teddy's crew, had an intimate knowledge of the coast and would take the yacht over a direct course between Canoe Rock and Sail Rock, inside Hen Island, along the coast past Wide Berth Islands and straight for Cape Brett. The Teddy would thus have the advantage of smooth water. Mr. Leonard said ho thought the yachts would stand well clear of Cape Maria owing to the fierce tides inshore.

FAREWELL MESSAGES.

OWNERS' APPRECIATION.

AKARANA CLUB AND RANGI

"We do not under-rate our opponent, Mr. Tambs," Mr. F. J. Bennell, owner of the Oimara, said just before tho start of the race. "I have not seen the Rangi, so it would not be fair to say anything about her." Mr. Bennell expressed his appreciation of the efforts of those who had been responsible for finding his opponents in the race. A splendid spirit had been shown by New Zealand yachtsmen generally, he said. There was a possibility that he might return in the Oimara, as ho had never regretted having brought his boat to New Zealand. Mr. Tambs announced that if everything went well he would return to Auckland from Sydney in the Teddy. "In about three weeks," he said, laughingly. "If I am able to return I shall probably remain in Auckland for a month or two doing soino writing. Of course, if the trip to Sydney takes too long I will nob be able to come back, but in any case I have provisions for six months. Peoplo have been very good to me, and I appreciate very much all that has been done for inc." The members of the Teddy's crew expressed the hope that tlley would be able to return to Auckland in the boat. Thev would much prefer it to returning by steamer.

If time permits the Rangi will continue on to Melbourne, as desired by Mr. Bennell, according to Lieutenant-Commander Juler. Commander Juler expressed his appreciation of tho hospitality shown him by members of (ho Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and by boating men generally in Auckland. Particularly ho appreciated the sportsmanship shown by tho Akarana Yacht Club, and ho was proud to bo flying their colours. He was taking the Rangi over seas not usually crossed by so small a craft, and ho was deeply indebted to Mr. W. A. E. Leonard for the loan of the boat. Ho wotdd bo bringing the, Rangi back to Auckland, so he had merely to say "nu revoir."

On Saturday morning the three skippers were farewelled by the Mayor, Mr. CI. Baildon, and the harbourmaster, Captain H. 11. Sergeant. Among the messages wishing tho competitors good luck was one from Commodore Blake, commodore of the New Zealand Division of tho Royal Navy.