THE PORT NICHOLSON YACHT CLUB.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 8009, 14 February 1887, Page 3

THE PORT NICHOLSON YACHT CLUB.

The Port Nicholson Yacht Club handicaps, which were postponed from Saturday week, were sailed last Saturday, under the moat favorable circumstances. The wind, which was from the southward, was nice and fresh, and the sea smooth. The first race, which wits started off at 2.15 p.m., was for third classyachts,andwaatbesecond event for the ladies’ prize. The race was between the Vulcan and Poneke, the farmer coming in first. The second race was for secondclass yachts, and was the second event for the Rear-Commodore’s Cap. The race was started at 2.30 p.m., and was won by the Pet, the Iris being second. In the third race (started at 2.45 p.m.), which was the second event of the first-class handicap for the Evening Post trophy, the Isca and Florence started (scratch), the Xarifa got 10 minutes start and the Thetis 13 minutes, All the boats got away to a very even start, the Isca leading slightly, followed by Florence, Thetis, and Xarifa. They all oarriacl their balloontopsaila with the exception. of the Xarifa, which carried her jib-header. The Xarifa immediately ran up her spinnaker-jib, and her example was soon followed by the Thetis. A very close race ensued to Somes Island, which was rounded first by the Florence, followed a minute later by the Isca and the Xarifa, the Thetis being considerably behind. Here all the boats close-hauled for the boat up to Wards Island, the Isca And Xarifa standing right over• to the eastern shore, while the Florence and the Thetis went about in mid channel as soon as they oould clear Somes Island, This manoeuvre was a fatal Qne for the chances of those two yachts, as they lost ground considerably, virtually putting themselves out of the race. The Isca and Xarifa had then 4 dose race to the eastern shore, when they went about, . making a short leg, anfi weathered Wards Island, The Xarifa clearing the Island first, took in her jib leader and set her balloon topsail and spinnaker jib. The Isca did not set her spinnaker jib until reaching Kau Bay, and soon after getting inside Halswell Point buoy she luffed up in the wind and took it in. She then bore away again after the Xarifa, which had at this time obtained a good start. From this point to the finish, the Xarifa had all the best of it, the Isca sailing a very wide course, and thereby considerably puzzling the spectators from the shore, who could not sep aqy apparent reason, as the lacs u’scally aails if" straight courts. The Xarifa crossed the lipe If min before the Isoa, the Florence being several minutes after her. The Thetis went straight to her mooring-. Mr Widdop anted as starter in all the races, ,