YACHT RACING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23226, 21 December 1938, Page 22

YACHT RACING

CHRISTMAS EVENTS . THREE OCEAN CONTESTS REGATTAS FOR HOLIDAYS BY BPINDRIFT Threp ocean /.yacht races will start from King's Wharf next Friday The Tauranga boats will be sent away at 7 p.m., the Bay of Island keelers at 7.15 p.m. and the Whangarei mullet boats at 7.25 p.m. In addition the race to Mahtirangi Heads will also be started at the same time as that for the Whangarei craft. Although there will be no regular club fixtures until January 7, when the Takapuna Boating Club will hold races for its 12ft. 6in. Z class, boat-owners will have the opportunity of taking part in a number of events during the holidays. Regattas will be held at Mahurangi Heads, Rocky Bay, Cowes Bay and Tauranga. The regntta promoted by the residents of Waiheke passage will take place at Cowes Bay on January 2. The programme for this fixture, which is very popular with boat-owners, includes races for keel yachts, 26ft., 22ft. and 20ft. mullet boats, and 18ft. and under classes. In addition to the sailing events races will also be held for launches and dinghies. Captain J. McKlnnon's auxiliary vessel, Rahiri, will be flagship.

The Mahurangi Begatta will be held at Mahurangi Heads on Tuesday, becember 27. The race for mullet boats will start from King's Wharf at 7.25 p.m. on Friday and the boats taking part in the race will compete in the regatta at Mahurangi. The programme also includes races for 18-footers, 14-footers, 12ft. and under boats, launches, outboards and swimming and rowing events'. Cash prizes will be given for the sailing and motor-boat races. In the contest for 14-footers a champion flag will be awarded to the boat registering the fastest time over the course. The winner of the general handicap for mullet boats will receive the Muritai Cup in addition to the cash prize of £2. The auxiliary vessel Rahiri (Captain J. McKinnon), will be flagship. The handicaps for the race to Mahurangi will be declared by the Ponsonby Cruising Club, which will also declare tho handicaps for the race from Auckland to Whangarei. Entries for both events will, close to-day.' The regatta promoted by the Omilia Welfare and Recreation Society will be held at Bocky Bay (Omiha) on Saturday, December 31. Races will be held for all classes and a dance will tako place in the evening. The Maraetai Improvement Association will hold its annual regatta at Maraetai on Tuesday, January 3. A cruising race to Cowes Bay, \\aiheke, for 18ft. V class yachts will be held by the Royal Akarana Yacht Club on Christmas Day. It will start at 9.30 a.m., the course being from Judge's Bay, direct to Cowes Bay, finishing off the wharf. The first prize is the Broadway Shield and 60 per cent of the entrance fee.

SANDERS CUP RENEWED INTEREST Judging by the interest taken in the recent Sanders Cup trial races, the once popular 14ft. Jellicoe type of boat is slowly coming back into favour. Five trial races were held before the selection of Marjorie was announced. On each occasion, the racing attracted a great deal of public attention, especially on Sunday, when crowds gathered 1 at' the Tamaki Club's premises and along the waterfront road. Good-courses were chosen for all trials and there was no lack of wind, the crews being given a thorough test in seamanship. Four boats took part in the first test, five in the second and third, and four in the remaining two. Marjorie, the Auckland representative for the 1939 contest, which is to be held at the Bluff, commencing on January 19, secured three-wins and Ailcen and Kia Ora one each. Clyde gained two second places, but Endeavour failed on three occasions to run into a place. With the exception of tho first trial in which Marjorie carried away her gaff, she showed a good turn of speed both on and off the wind. It is many years since Auckland has chosen a good heavy weather boat and as the contest is to be carried out in fairly open water at the Bluff Marjorie should give a splendid account of herself. Her ownerskipper. W. Parkes, has not had the experience of former Auckland Sanders Cup tiller hands, but judging by his handling of Marjorie in the trials he can be relied upon in getting tho best out of his boat.

A new 18ft. V class boat has been built by Mr. A. Wiljetts for Mr. E. Sly, of Avondale. The yacht has a beam of Bft. and is gaff rigged