YACHT RACING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22400, 22 April 1936, Page 22

YACHT RACING

CLOSE OF THE SEASON PERFORMANCE OF RAWENE HARD WEATHER CONDITIONS BY SPINDRIFT A fresh north-easterly breoSo prevailed on Saturday afternoon for the official closing of the yachting season. The entries in the various clubs compared more than favourably with those for the closing day last season, but owing to the strength of the wind many boats failed to start, while others retiied before completing the course. From a spectator's point of view the display of "white wings" was not an impressive one but the racing was' keen, especially in the harbour events for classes M, V and Z. The conditions gave a good test of a boat's weatherly qualities and many weak spots in sails and gear were discovered. " In the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron's race to Matiatia, the winner, Rawene, owned and sailed by Mr. A. E. Giftord, was the only boat to carry full sail. Although her lee rail was well awash she sailed splendidly. Rawene's victory was very popular and well-deserved. The owner of a Y class boat has protested against one of tho ! competitors in the same race lor failI ing to sail the full course. If the pro- | test is upheld the placings in several i of the clubs will bo affected. The pro- | test will be dealt with at the next meeting of the Auckland Yacht and ; Motor-Boat Association, j The question of securing a suitable ! recall signal has been before the as--1 sociation for some years past. A powerful sound signal was used for the first | time on Saturday and proved very I effective. ' SEASON ON THE MANUKAU YEAR OF GOOD PROGRESS j The Manukau Yacht and Motor- | Boat Club's final harbour race on Sat- ' urday. afternoon was sailed in a hard | breeze from the north-east. Twelve i boats started and all were reefed. Tho , winner, Okere, sailed exceptionally well ! in the heavy weather and had an easy ] victory. Ranui and lolanthe gave an j impressive exhibition of running down j wind, both using their spinnakers to j advantage. Sea Gnome did not make j use of her extra sail, but was seon at her best on the wind. Aratu was unfortunate in having trouble on the first round. Wixie M failed to observe a mark and was disqualified. The points ! trophy for launches has been won by Mr. A. Cullington's lolanthe with 43 points, Tawera being second. < The season just concluded has been 'outstanding for the united efforts of the two clubs in making the races more interesting. Five combined events were held and on every occasion the boats of both clubs were in full force. The number of 3 T achts starting has eclipsed all previous records, and the memberships in both .clubs has increased considerably. BOATS CHANGE HANDS SALE OF WHAKANUI i The E class keel yacht Whakanui, lately owned by Mr. E. Ryan, of Whangarei, has been purchased by Mr. H. Kidd, of Auckland. Mr. Ryan is owner 1 of the launch Blue Bird, i The 18ft. V class boat Manutere, built by Mr. C. Hardman, has been sold by Mr. A. Donovan to Mr. P. Smith, of Ponsonby. | The Point - Chevalier Sailing Club brought its season to a close at the week-end with a general handicap and class races combined. The results were: —General Handicap: Ngaro, 1; Gannet, 2; Malolo, 3. Classes H, L and N: Ngaro, 1. Classes M and V: Malolo, 1; Riptide, 2. Class S: Gannet, 1. Classes T, X and Y: Vamp, 1; Ripple, 2.