REGATTA AT COWES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21561, 4 August 1933, Page 9

REGATTA AT COWES

ROYAL YACHT SQUADRON WIN FOR KING'S CUTTER ALL-STEEL CRAFT BEATEN HIS MAJESTY IN THE RACE By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received August 3, 6.55 p.m.) British Wireless RUGBY. Aug. 2 The annual regatta of tho Royal Yacht Squadron was begun at Cowes yesterday. The King sailed in the Royal cutter Britania in brilliant sunshine after a windy morning. The Queen landed at East Cowes in the afternoon. Tho Prince of Wales flew to Cowes in an Amphibian machine and joined the Royal party on board the yacht Victoria and Albert. Britannia to-day won her first race at the regatta. His Majesty sailed in the race accompanied by the Prince of Wales. Britannia was stoutly challenged by the all-British steel yacht Velsheda, which' yesterday had won the King's Cup. Velsheda held the lead in the early stages of tho 40 miles race to-day. After being twice overhauled by Britannia she again drew ahead, and although she finished first Britannia had a time allowance on which she won by 42 seconds.

, Largely through the interest of the King the yachting season in Britain this year is back to normal, and the finest racing since the war among the big yachts is promised. Britannia, the King's racing cutter, has been modernised, and it is expected that she will excel her performance of last year, when she beat Shamrock V.

The all-British steel racing yacht Velsheda was built at Messrs. Camper and Nicholson's yard, Gosport, Hampshire, for Mr. W. L. Stephenson, and was launched in April. Velsheda, built to the " J " class rule, the recognised rule for the America's Cup races, is the only large all-metal racing yacht of modern design in British waters. She was designed by Mr. Charles E. Nicholson, designer of many of the fastest racing yachts afloat. She was named Velsheda after the three daughters of the owner, who has used some of the letters of thoir Christian names Velma, Sheila and Daphne. The yacht closely resembles Shamrock V. It is not unlikely that if Velsheda proves fast enough tier owner will challenge the United States Yacht Club for the America's Cup next year.