YACHTING. SWIMMING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19687, 14 January 1926, Page 4

YACHTING.

SWIMMING.

Bar Rhddfb.

FIXTURES. January 16. —Sanders Cup trial race. January 23, —Sanders Cup trial race. January 30. —Otago Yacht Club (cruising race to Broad Bay); Port Chalmers Yacht Cliib races. . . , February 6.—North-East Harbour Club s races. , February 13, —Port Chalmers Yacht Clubs races. February 19.—First race for Sanders Memorial Cup. February 20. —Second race for Sanders Gup. February 22, —Third race for Sanders Gup. Febrnary 23.—Fourth race for Sanders Cup. , February 27. — Ravensbourne Regatta and North-East Harbour Club races.

It can he said that the two Sanders Cup trial races on Saturday last proved very unsuccessful, as each race was sailed in a dying wind, and what wind there was veered round to the S.S.E. This sudden change robbed the three boats of a dead beat to windward. So far as the three trials which have been sailed are concerned, tho judges are no further forward, and their troubles have only been added to in their difficulty to try and find the best all-round boat to represent Otago. One thing that has been clearly proved in the trials of the past two years is that Winifred in a leading wind or a light full sail breeze is the supai'tbr of any 14-footer in the harbour. Beyond that nothing else can be said. What the selectors have got to find is a boat that can sail in light weather as well as rough, and so far no one can pick a boat to displace lona from representing Otago, provided, of course, Wiseman is at tho tiller. What is required for tho trials on Saturday and. also on the following Saturday is a strong full-sail breeze and a good heat to windward between lona and Heather, and then, and not till then, will the selectors be given some foundation in which to decide which boat should defend the cnp. lona’s reputation is known. The boat has proved herself in all weathers, and opinion has been freely expressed to the effect that Otago’s only chance of retaining the cup is by selecting tho boat and crew which sailed her to victory in Auckland in February last. lona has only one fault. —“yawing” when on the run, which has been her downfall on more than one occasion. But the boat has proved herself a champion, and those who had the privilege of seeing her sail on the Waitemata must bo convinced that she is worthy to represent any province. If the selectors do not intend to consider Winifred, then they should issue instructions for lona and Heather to meet in several tests. They would then be in a position to come to a quick and satisfactory decision as to which boat should defend tho cup. lona’s absence on Saturday last was a keen disappointment to the selectors and tlje spectators, and tho owner of tho boat could at least have notified the officials of his intention not to sail that day. Only two more Saturdays remain for the selectors to come to a decision, and it is to be hoped that they will make every effort to induce the owner of lona to bo present with the boat for Saturday’s trials, and also that there will be a stiff breeze, and that the selectors will he given an opportunity of judging lona and Heather in a dead beat to windward. On Sunday last tho boat harbour presented quite a deserted appearance as far as motor boats wepo concerned, nearly all the owners taking advantage of the fine day to go cruising.' The launch Carina was hauled up on tho Otago Yacht Club’s slip last week-end for an overhaul. Mr George Latimer has again put his yacht Adelaide afloat. George is a stickler, and boating men wish him many pleasant cruises. The yacht Mahana was hauled up on the Otago Facht Club’s slipway last week-end also for an overhaul. Still another addition to the fleet of the Otago Yacht Club. Master Norman Collins has built a sailing dinghy, and named her Venture. She is a'round bilge boat, with her mast stepped well forward, and she has a centre-board. Master Collins deserves credit for his workmanship, and should he prove as pood a yachtsman as he is a builder he will soon make a name for himself amongst his yachting confreres. The annual meeting of the Ravensbourne Regatta Committee will be held on Monday evening next in the boatshed. The report and balance sheet show that the last regatta was most successful. Those boating men' who so soundly condemned the Takapuna 12ft 6in one-design boats, without any apparent foundation, should have visited Ravensbourne last weekend. They would have been greeted with a sight which would, no doubt, have caused them to alter their opinions considerably. Colleen, Carl_ Mollor’s Takapuna onedesign boat, visited Ravensbourne on Sunday morning) and her appearance caused quite a flatter of excitement among the youths and boys sailing small boats. An impromptu race was quickly arranged, and in a fresh breeze Colleen “fairly mopped up the whole issue.” as one enthusiast explained, when relating the incident. Colleen’s windward work was an eye-opener to many, who stated that the boat was as steady aa any ship and that her sailing on all points was perfect. Colleen was skilfully handled by Carl Mollcr, and the boat simply raced away from Lassie, Trixio, Sea Spook, and Surd. On Sunday afternoon young Mollcr was after the scalps of other small boats. He mot Vision at Macandrow’a Bay and outsailed this boat. Surely such a performance is sufficient proof that the Takapuna class is the right type ot small boat for youths and Jioys, and that such boats are in a class by themselves. SANDERS CUP CONTEST. Tho attention of the majority of boating men in Otago is now focussed on the 192,6 annual contest f<jr the Sanders Memorial Cup—the classic aquatic event of tho Dominion. Tho time is short now, tho first race being fixed for Friday, February 19— exactly five weeks from to-morrow. The Otago Yacht and Motor Boat Association lias a lot of mound to cover in those five weeks, and tfie parent body will have to get busy in the way of making full arrangements for conducting the contest, collecting the necessary money, and arranging for the entertainment of the various crews and officials. It is expected that the delegates to the Dominion Yachting Conference will roach Dunedin a week before the contest begins, as the conference will probably have a largo amount of business to deal with. It is also expected that tho Auckland, Hawke’s Bay, Wellington, and Canterbury challenging ‘boats and crews will reach Dunedin at least a week before the first race while Murihiku will probably arrive from Stewart Island within the next week or so. ...... With a view to setting things in motion, tho Otago Yacht and Motor Boat Association will hold a meeting this evening. The main purpose for which, the meeting is called is to secure tho assistance of officials of the various affiliated clubs. A largo number of these officials have been nskocl To attend, and them is every prospect of sovoi’til men wKo aro noto-fl faw* ilmir work in connection with boating being added to the. roll. Those men will include Commodore IT. 19. Mollcr and Mr A. Grant (Ravensbourne Clnb), Commodore L b. Sundstrnm (Otago A' aebt Club), Air C. J. Hook (North-East Harbour Club) Commodore G. A. Wiseman and Mr A. Holden (Port Chalmers Yacht Chib). Commodore Alex Bogg and Mr J. Hudson (Broad Bay Boating Club), and several l other boating supporters. Unfortunately Ml L S. 11 sou. secretary of ihe Otago “ 101 ' u ’ wili not ho" available owing to various other secretarial duties riaimmg Ina attention, and the Yacht Club will bo asked o appoint another official in his g.. to-night’s meeting various committees mil he appointed, ami every member o these committees will he expected to do hint most towards making the 1926 success and worthy of the piovmce. II is work to be done in tho five weeks, and it behoves all concerned to commence work in real earnest. MAO ANDREW’S BAY NOTES. Tim Boating Club boys were very busy on Monday last loading up the club s cradle, which was conveyed to the bay The big launch Manila will be the first boat to be placed on the slip. Mr Gibson is in charge of tho slip for the present. The weather was anything but desirable for the local boats on Saturday last. Agnes -.ailed halfway to Port Chalmers, when her skipper was informed that the Bort Club's nine had been postponed. The boatthen -ailed to Ravensbourne, but arrived too late to start in the race there. The Takapuna one-design . boat Colleen took part in iho all-comers’ race, sailed under tho auspices of the Ravensbourne Clnb last Saturday afternoon, but .retired before completing tho course, Tho 14footers Mona, and Mavis were not afloat. Roth boats are undergoing overhaul in the Boating Club’s shed. Of the local boats only Agnes, Spraj,

and Colleen were nut last week-end. all (hreo boats doing their usual practice over tho course. PORT CHALMERS NOTES. It is rumoured that Mr Joe Potior lias sold his fine, launch King of Beauty. Tho launch Bakeha Inis been placed on the slip for repairs, after her recent ardent at the Heads. Five new planks will have to be filled, ami also several new ribs. 'The yacht Tucana did not leave her moorings on Saturday last on account of the repairs to her mainsail, which was torn on New Year’s Day not lining finished. Tho launch Yyella made her usual trip to the Heads on Sunday last, ns did also Grace Darling (Mr Wiseman’s launch). Miss America made her first appearance in racing on Sntnrnav last, and, under the handling of Mr Hunter, showed a good turn of speed. It is rumoured that this will be the last season in which the yacht Tucana will be seen under sail, as her owner is making arrangements for the installation nf a highpower motor engine. It would he a pity to see this fine yacht converted bate a motor boat.