YACHT RACING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23592, 28 February 1940, Page 18

YACHT RACING

DEVONPORT REGATTA SQUALLY WEATHER PREVAILS SAFETY OF THE CREWS BY SPINDRIFT The Devonport Yacht Club's annual regatta on Saturday was marred by stormy weather conditions and all hands who took part in the fixture had a very strenuous time. When ; the day broke a -"north-easterly wind was blowing, witli heavy rain and' foggy weather. The question of postponing the regatta was discussed by the club officials and while it was realised that the : conditions might be rather severe for the smaller classes, it was decided to carry, out the races according to the programme.In view of the uncertainty of, the weather, however, ■ arrangements were made for at least three motor-boats to follow the'races in the event of capsizes. ''V-.: ..

A full sail breeze was blowing from the north-east when the larger classes started, but as the day wore on the wind increased in strength and no sooner had the 18ft and under boats cleared the starting line than they began "to overturn In the. sudden and heavy squalls. The* three rescue motor-boats; were kept busy picking up the crews and in response to a message that several other capsized crews wero in danger, --the', naval authorities immediately provided . threo launches and the Harbour Board also assisted with one of. its- boats. Several experienced yachtsmen also picked up crews m their dinghies. Owing to the petrol restrictions very few pleasure motor-boats were in commission on Saturday and the usual assistance received from passing launches was not forthcoming. • ■■■'.•;■ Fully 20 boats were reported to have capsized and although some of the crews were in the water for over an hour and a-half before being picked up, there was 110 loss of life. With so many small boats racing onthe Waitemata at the present time, the question of allowing them to start in heavy weather must be seriously considered by the various clubs holding fixtures lor open and half-decked classes. Auckland-has always been remarkably free from serious boating accidents and now that over 100 boats of all sizes usually take part in club regattas, the safety or life in stormy weather must be given first consideration. ' The Victoria Cruising Club will hold its annuul regatta next Saturday afternoon. All events will start and finish off the new clubhouse 011 St. Mary's boa til arbour wall. Races will be held for all classes from H to Z and cash prizes, varying from £0 to jCI 10s for first, will be awarded. The postponed races for classes S. T, X and Y will be held on Saturday in conjunction with the, regatta events. In addition, the annual inter-club race for the Clare Rose Bowl for V class boats will also take place. The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron will hold its annual race to Te Kouma, near Coromandcl, next Saturday afternoon. The second and third divisions will start from King's Wharf at 12.80 p.m. and the first division at J2.10 p.m. In the event of there being insufficient entries for two classes all keelers will race together and will be sent away at 12.10 p.m. A race for class M boats will also be held, starting at 2.30 p.m. For this event skippers and crews must bo under 21 years of age.