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New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22950, 31 January 1938, Page 13

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EIGHTEEN FOOTERS THE CONTESTS IN SYDNEY IRINA FIFTH IN HEAT [FROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT] SYDNEY, Jan. 21 New Zealand. New South Wales and Queensland 18-footers competed yesterday in the first heat of the world's 18-footers' championship, sailed over a nine-miles course on Sydney Harbour, and watched, it was estimated, by at least .'30,000 persons. The race, sailed in a light south-easterly breeze, was won by Taree. a new Sydney-owned, Brisbane-built craft which was having onlv her fourth start in a race.

Irina did best of the Auckland boats, finishing a close fifth, less than 3J minutes behind the winner. Between Tavlor Bay and Shark Island, the second last stretch of the race, Irina had a chance of running into third place, but because of lack of experience of Sydney Harbour, her skipper, W. Willetts, made two unnecessary "legs" near the island. Twenty Competitors The first heat began the greatest open-boat sailing event in 40 years' historv of the sport- in Sydney, and was the realisation of the dream of the secretary of the Xew South "Wales 18footers Sailing League, Mr. J. J. Giltinan. The 20 competitors are competing for prize money of £250. The craft gaining the highest number of points in the three races will win the championship. The points ahotted

are:—First, 255; second, 127; third, 63; fourth. 21; fifth, 15; sixth, 7; seventh, 3; eighth, 1. There was cloud and fitful sunshine yesterday. If the breeze, to an 18footer man's mind, was not strong, it was yet virile enough to crumple up the water and deck it with white caps. Thus the sjjectators who packed seven large ferries, which followed the race, scores of smaller cratt, and those who watched from vantage points on the harbour foreshores, were able to see 18ft. sailing at its best—craft scudding under huge press of canvas, skimming the tumbled water, crews leaning far out over the sides of their boats. All Except One Finish All except one of the 20 starters finished. That one was Malvina, the national champion and most highlyfavoured for the world's championship*. There had been some friction between Malvina's owner and her skipper, William Hayward. probably the most skilful of Sydney's open-boat men, and Hayward and his crew found themselves unavailable for the big event. While that was being contested, Hayward was winning the 16ft. championship of Botany Bay. Hayward and his crew had been associated with Malviua throughout this season and he had steered her to a number of glorious victories.

Taree, which was maguificently sailed by Bertram Swinbourne, led nearly all the way. She won because she was the best-rigged boat on the day, coupled with Swinbourne's fine helmsmanship and the able work of an efficient crew. The only beat windward was between Chowder Head and Shark Island on the second circuit of the Sow and Pigs course, and over that portion of the course, Taree, in her suitable rig, put the issue beyond doubt and turned into the final mile with the race in her keeping. The System of Points

The order in which the boats finished was:—Taree (skippfr, B. Swinbourne), X.S.W., 1; Aberdare (V. Vaughan), Queensland, 2; \ ictor (\■ Lucas), Queensland, 3; Marjorie (L. Watts), Queensland, 4; lrina (W. Willetts). N.Z., 5; Gloria (E. Parsons), N.S.W., 6; All British (R. Rawlings), X.S.W., 7; Collaroy (Chris Webb), X.S.W., 8; H. C. Press (G. Press), X.S.W., 9; The Mistake (S. Monkhouse), X.S.W., 10; Cornstalk (C. Eraser), X.S.W., 11; Dee Why (J. Alderton), X.S.W., 12; Manene (C. M. Dennes), N.Z., 13; Hope (W. J. Holmes), X.S.W., 14; Riptide (B. Schmidt). N.Z., L 3; Australia 11. (J. Courtney), X.S.W., 16; Jean (P. Cowie), N.S.W., 17; Clarice (S. Springfield), Queensland,. 18; Yaalele (H. Cleghorn), X.Z., 19. Malvina (W. Barnett). N.S.W., retired.

Sailing enthusiasts and critics v have been keenly interested in the Xcw vZealand boats and in a,, number of points of rig and design of the craft. The boats differ entirely from those racing in Australia. They are higher out of the water, and partly decked, whereas the Australian boats employ a lee-cloth only. Sydney sailing men cannot see any advantage in the New Zealand style. The main difference in the two types is the rig of the sails. Sydney boats, for instance, piece their spinnakers together, but the New Zeahmders have them ready rigged, and so dispense with two members of the crew. RESULT OF FINAL TAREE THE WINNER CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS (Received January 30, 11.15 p.m.) SYDNEY. Jan. 30 The final heat in the world's championship for 18-footers resulted as follows: —Victor (Queensland), 1; Taree (New South Wales), 2; Marjorie (Queensland), 3. Of the New Zealand boats Irena finished Bth, Vaale 10th. Manene 13th Riptide 14th- None at any time was dangerous. Championship points were: —Taree, 637; Victor, 321; Aberdare. 257; Mar jorie, 94; Irena, 79