YACHT RACING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21731, 21 February 1934, Page 15

YACHT RACING

BV SPINDRIFT

ROYAL SQUADRON'S CONTEST

GOOD WIN FOR WAITANGI

MANUKAU CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS

A feature of the lioyal New Zealand Yacht Squadron's race to Te Kouma, Coromandel, on Saturday, was the performance of Waitangi, which not only won the T. M. Alexander Memorial Cup, but also established a record for the course. The weather conditions —a fresh northerly breeze —were very suitable for "NYaitangi, and although she lost 5m at the start, she soon made her presence felt among the rest of the fleet. She kept well up to windward and near the Sandspit passed Nga-Toa.

Victory, Prize, Rawene, and AVaione were still ahead of "Waitangi at this stage of the 33-mile journey, but, when Brown's Island was reached, AYaitangi assumed the lead and once in that position she was never headed. \\ ith her Ice rail awash the yacht went through the water at a great pace, at times doing nine knots.

Taking into consideration her late start she covered the course in the record time of 4h 9m 4Ss. Her win was a very popular one, and her skipper. Mr. J. W. Frater is to be congratulated upon her success. Itawene, Prize, and Victory had an interesting race anions themselves, especially Prize and Victory which had a luffing match along the "Waiheke shore, both boats keeping so close under the headland that they almost lost the wind for a brief period. Waione led La dye Wilma for the greater part of the trip but, when the Waiheke passage was entered, the positions were reversed.

Coming home on Sunday a number of the boats experienced a severe southwesterly squall which made matters very lively for the crews while it lasted. Two crews lowered away while others brought down their topsails and generally nursed their boats. Good Performance by Romance

The annual championships of the Manukau Yacht and Motor-Boat Club were held on Saturday in a bard northerly breeze. In the open championship Aoma retained her title. It was unfortunate that her opponent, Ranui, had to retire through a mishap. Nevertheless the champion had weather conditions to her liking and moved along at a fast pace. Most interest was in the 18ft. championship, which was won by Mr. X. Paddy's Romance, which sailed an exceptionally good race. This boat's performance was by the .best since she has been on the Manukau.

Aratu, late of Auckland, being the only competitor in the 16ft. championship, had only to keep right side up to win. She started with the bigger boats and held on to them for a fairly long time. Mishaps robbed the 14ft. championship of any interest. Sea Gnome had a lead from her two opponents, Fay and Sea King, at the first mark, and when gvjmig, a lightened backstay on Fay proved her undoing, the boat capsizing in a spectacular manner. Sea King did not carry on much further before a broken tiller caused her to retire. Sea Gnome completed the course in fast time to win the championship once again. Kitty, well sailed by Ralph McLeod, had a fairly easy victory in the 12ft. 6iu. championship, defeating her nearest opponent, Naomi, by G| minutes, the other two boats retiring. Surprise, the only boat in the speedboat event, completed the course in creditable time.

Just previous to the start of the sweepstake event. Sea Toiler capsized, the other boats getting away to a fairly good start. On the completion of the first round, Miss Mar was leading, with Aloma second and Frantic third. The wind eased in the second round and. with a. strong ebb tide against the boats, both Aloma and Frantic passed their bigger rival, while Aloma was in turn passed by Frantic. The winner was the 30m marker lona with Frantic second. Val retired through a mishap and was towed home by one of the launches. Owing to the number of mishaps, no launch race was held. The Shark. Jess, Lucinda and Ronolga were in readiness to start, but all gave every assistance to the yachts in difficulties. New Boat Ordered

An order for a 22ft. L class boat has been placed with Mr. F. Lidgard by two well-known yachtsmen. The noncraft will have a beam of 9ft. and will be built to the restrictions drawn up for her class. She will carry the modern Bcrmudian rig and will have a -loft, inast. The new boat, will lie constructed on similar lines to the Komuri, winner of the Lipton Cup, and will make her appearance early in the 19.'M-3o yachting season.

The Richmond Cruising Club will hold its annual regatta on Saturdav afternoon. All classes of mullet and open boats will be represented, and in addition to the usual events, the club will hold the annual contest for the Trevic Shield for class Z boats. The nominations received for the contest so far are:—Ponsonby Club. Delphine; Victoria, Me Too; Akarana, Trevic; Tamaki. Tolanthe; Takapuna. Betty; Point Chevalier, Benny; Richmond. Arihana; Manukau Yacht Club, Kittv.

The Devonport Yacht Club will hold a cruising rare to Matiatia, "NVaiheke, on Saturday for keel yachts and mullet boats and also harbour races for small classes. The ISO-mile ocean race for the B.ilokovic Cup will start from Judge's Bay on Friday evening under the control of the Aknraua Yacht Ciub.

The Point Chevalier Sailing Club will hold a general handicap for the Schmidt Trophy on Sunday, starting at - p.m. The club's annual regatta will take place on March 31.