YACHT RACING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23599, 7 March 1940, Page 16

YACHT RACING

ALEXANDER MEMORIAL SECOND DIVISION BOATS ALTAIR WINS TROPHY nv SPINDRIFT Light weather conditions marred the Rovnl New Zealand Yacht Squadron's race to Te Kouma on Saturday. Although an early start was arranged, the competitors made little or no progress until an hour after the race had started. Ranger, which was making her first appearand! since carrying away her mast on February 4, started over 9m late, but was more fortunate than tin; other boats. She carried the breeze with her until off Queen's Wharf, when the wind shifted from the south to the north-east. .Meanwhile the rest of the yachts, with the exception of Marangi, ran out of the wind and drifted up the ha rbonr. Ranger slowly made her way across tho line and, keeping out of the tide as much as possible, not only recovered the time lost at the start but also took the load shortly after clearing the eastern tide deflector. Once in charge she was never headed, reaching her destination after a long sail of 7h JBm ss. Head winds prevailed all tho way, and tho only occasion on which Ranger experienced a moderate breeze was between Ruth's Passage and To Kouma. Matia finished 43m li)s after Hunger. The record for the distance — 31 miles —is held by ida, which covered the journey in a fresh south-westerly breeze in lh 'JOm when owned by the late Air. C. P. Murdock. Now that the race to Te Kouma is sailed in two divisions, the committee of the squadron decided last year to allot the T. M. Alexander trophy alternately to each division. Last season the cup was contested by yachts belonging to the first division and was won by Waiomo. On Saturday the second and third division boats raced for the T. M. Alexander trophy, the winner being Mr. A. D. Walker's B class yacht Altair, which sailed a good race in the light weather. The Ponsonhy Cruising Club will hold its annual regatta on Saturday afternoon. All classes from C' to Silver Fern will be catered for and liberal cash prizes will be awarded. Championship flags will be presented to all boats crossing the finishing line first in their own classes. In addition to tho regatta events, all races postponed on January '27 will be sailed on Saturday. The races will start and finish off St. Mary's boat harbour wall.

The Auckland's Beach Progressive League will hold its first annual regatta on §unday, March 17. The programme includes races for outboards, sailing dinghies, all 14ft classes. Silver Fern. Idle Along and M, V and S classes. The auxiliary vessel Rahiri, Captain McKinnon, will be flagship and will be moored off Buckland's Beach. The first race will start at noon. In addition to the sailing events a programme of dinghy and canoo races will also he carried out.