OCEAN RACE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21716, 3 February 1934, Page 12

OCEAN RACE

CONTEST FOR YACHTS ANNUAL EVENT TO KAWAU SIXTEEN BOATS COMPETE " The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron's annual race to Kawau for keel yachts started off King's Wharf .at seven o'clock last evening. The first prize is for Admiral Blake's trophy and miniature and 16 competitors took part. A fresh north-easterly wind was blowing and the majority of the boats were reefed. The course was from starting line direct to Momona Point, Kawau, a distance of 27 miles. The direction of the wind gave the yachts a beat to North Head and then a close haul to then* destination. The entries and handicaps were as follows: —Thelma, scr: Nga-loa, 4m; Itawene, 15m; Prize, 17m; Victorj', Moana, 19m; Waione, Ida, 24m; Waitangi, Ilex, 28m; Lady© Wilma, 32m; Kotiri, 34m; Mahaki, 55m; Kotuku, 75ni; Medina, 100 m; Janet, 130 m. At gunfire Waione crossed the tine half a length in front of Ladye Wilma, with Kotuku, Nga-Toa,. Victory, Rawene, Janet and Mahaki close up in that order. The following were late: — Kotiri, 1m; Prize, lm 10s; Ida, lm 15s; Waitangi, lm 18s; Moana, lm 40s; Thelma, 2m 10s; Ilex, 2m 4l's; Medina, 4m 355. immediately after crossing the line. Ladye Wilma broke tacks and stood over to the northern side of the harbour. The remainder of the fleet kept on port tack and worked the southern shore. Waione held her lead and when the eastern tide deflector was reached she was still in charge, with Victory, Prize and Nga-Toa following in her wake. After clearing the deflector, Prize and Nga-Toa threw round on starboard and headed for the northern shore. Moana followed them soon afterwards. The rest of the boats kept inshore and did not come about until well across Hobson Bay. Off Devonport Wharf Prize got in Nga-Toa's weather, but soon afterwards Nga-Toa regained the weather berth. By this time Ladye Wilma was joined by Moana. When Waione broke tacks she crossed the harbour ahead of NgaToa, Prize, Thelma and Victory, and was still in charge as she passed out cf sight round North Head.

RACES TO-DAY GENERAL HANDICAP The Boyal New Zealand Yacht Squadron will hold two races at Kawau ta day, one for yachts with lady skippers, starting at 10 a.m., and a general handicap starting at 2.30 p.m. During the day races will be held for naval whalers. A wireless message from the Herald's Kawau correspondent last evening staged that in order to participate in the regatta H.M.S. Diomede, which will be flagship, and H.M.S. Dunedin anchored at Mansion House Bay in the evening after carrying out exercises in the Hauraki Gulf. The weather had been stormy, but had become calm. The Government steamer Matai, with the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, and Lady Bledisloe on board also arrived. Their Excellencies spent an hour in the Mansion House: grounds, where they were met and entertained by the Earl of Hardwick, an old friend of His Excellency. A large number of visitors arrived last night from Auckland to join in the social and aquatic events over the week-end. The Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, with his wife and daughters, is to arrive early to-day to attend the regatta. In the evening the Yacht Squadron ball will be held. The Matai and the two warships .will sail on Sunday.