YACHTING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20288, 22 December 1927, Page 4

YACHTING.

By Rudder. FIXTURES. December 26. —Macandrew’s Bay regatta. January 2.—Broad Bay regatta. January 7. —Kavonsbournc Club races; North-East Harbour Club races; Otago Yacht Club (cruising race to Broad Bay); Oiiphant Cup race (Broad Bay). January 14. —Port Chalmers Club races. January 21.—Port Chalmers Club (ladies

day). January 28.—Port Chalmers Club races. February 4.—St. Leonards regatta. February 18. —Otago Yacht Club (second series of races). ■ February 25—North-East Harbour Club (Strang Cup race); Port Chalmers Club (ladies’ day). March 3.—Port Chalmers Club races. March 17.—Otago Yacht Club (Moffett Cup race). Easter Saturday.—Broad Bay Club races.

SANDERS CUP—STEWART ISLAND. February 15, first race; February 16, second race; February 17, third race; February IS, fourth race.

The launch Matai, which was the followup boat for last Saturday’s Sanders Cup trial, has been placed on the slip at the boat harbour to have a new water inlet pipe fitted. The launch Quest is on the slip at the boat harbour undergoing overhaul in preparation for the holiday's. If the weather is favourable the owner of Quest intends to cruise as far as Oamaru. Mr A. D. Asher has been appointed handicapper for yachts competing at the Macandrew’s Bav regatta on Monday next. When the race for the Elliott Cup was started at Macandrew’s Bay on the evening of December 14 the weather was very favourable, and the Sailing Committee never anticipated the sudden squall winch was responsible for tho capsizing of Colleen. Although no follow-up launch was available, the officials took other ■ steps for the safety of the crews in the event of an accident. James Hook stood by with a dinghy. He estimated within a few yards where an accident was likely to occur, and when Colleen turned over the lad was at the exact spot within a few seconds with the dinghy and quickly rescued the crew. The Otago Model Yacht Club held its first race recently over a new course at the boat harbour. The caretaker of the Otago Yacht Club’s property (Mr Brown) laid off a course wihch gave the little boats a beat to windward in a light northeast wind. The race was the first of the series to be sailed for the Moller Cup. Three boats started, and the result was:— Nancv II (W. lies) 1, Nancy I (F. Wilson) 2, Sea Spook (D. Hcssford) 3. Nancy II led from the start, and sailed a splendid course. The club officials are greatly indebted to Mr Brown for his assistance, and also to the owner of a launch who placed liis boat at the disposal of the Sailing Committee. Great interest is being taken in the forthcoming race for the Provincial Challenge Shield for outboard motor boats, which will be held at Russell on December 26. Most of the provinces will be represented. Otago will be represented by Mr A. C. Paterson’s Caille I. In all probability the New Zealand fewer Boat Association will hold a special race for visiting and Auckland boats at Auckland on their return from Russell.

CREWS FOR FOURTEEN-FOOTERS. The keen search for highly-skilled crews for the 14-footers prevented two of the larger yachts competing in the Ravensbourne Club Race on December 10. Shadow’s crew was -called upon to help man Kia Ora, whilst Experiment’s crew gave Heather a lift along. It is a big thing to ask these young men to sink their own inclinations and interests to help the trial races, and their sporting spirit is to be commended. With all efforts centred on getting the new Rona boat Eileen up to championship form, there is little chance of any other crew getting recognition, but these lads realise that it is on ly By making the racing strenuous that Eileen can be tuned up to the standard of a Sanders Cup winner, and they are ready to do their share. The fact should be noted by the Sailing Committee, and where possible the trials arranged so that they do not unduly encroach on the main sailing fixtures. The difficulty in securing crows for the 14footers is well known, and without crows there would be no trial races.

REGATTA AT ST. LEONARDS. Boating has increased to a marked degree at St. Leonards during the past two years, and there are quite a number of boats at this middle harbour bay. The youths of the district are very keen enthusiasts of the sport, and many of them have become prominent of late. With the object of fostering boating among the young men it has been decided to hold a regatta on February 4. Over 50 years have passed since a regatta was held _at St. Leonards, but a meeting of boating enthusiasts, held recently, decided to revive the event. A committee was appointed, and Mr C. J. Hayward was elected secretary. The regatta, which will be held at St. Leonards, will, no doubt, receive every support from yacht and motor boat owners from all parts of the harbour.

COMPETITORS’ HANDICAP SYSTEM,

On January 21 the Otago Yacht Club will conduct a race on the competitors’ handicap system. For this system of handicapping each competing skipper is given a list of all boats entered, with the exception of his own, and he is requested to make out a set of handicaps for what he considers should be the correct time allowance for each boat. These time allowances are balanced up by the Sailing Committee while the race is in progress, the time being deducted when the boats finish. Although not new, this system of handicap racing will be somewhat of a novelty. _ A large number of boat owners have intimated that they are willing to enter for the race.

SANDERS CUP CONTEST. Last Saturday _ was clearly Eileen’s day out. In the third Sanders Cup trial she 'ed the fleet a merry dance from start to With the wind again from the south-east, the course chosen gave the best possible test of windward sailing, b it allowed utile scope for originality on (no. part of the skippers. Eileen was excellently handled, and her performance both on (lie run and the heat was very satisfying. Kcllett has learned that a boat of Eileen’s lines must not be jammed, and he sailed with a romping fullness that was in pleasing contrast with the previous Saturday With tho sheet cased ns it should on there however, a marked tendency lor the mainsail to take a lateral twist along the after leach. This is suggestive of incorrect main-sheet leads, and should receive attention, as the "defect will bo greatly aggravated in a fresh breeze. Heather. Kia Ora and Winifred made up the rest of the fleet, and while the respective skippers made few serious mistakes, their sailing generally lacked brilliance. Kia Ora, particularly seemed very sluggish, and was disappointing after her previous fine showing. With A. Booth up for’arc! and Harry Xees amidships, French had probably the pick of the crews, and except for the tactical error of allowing Eileen to get away by herself at the start, nothing could be said against tho sailing of the boat. It must, however, be admitted that these small boats do not do themselves justice with the heaviest man in the crow right aft, and Saturday’s race seems to indicate that the disadvantage is greater when the boat is moving at a fair speed. Heather again sailed well, and in tho race between tho older boats showed her self quite their match on all points of sailing. Her skipper, H. Watson, displayed good judgment throughout the race.

No doubt on such a day had Winifred's crew had more experience she would have shown up to greater advantage, hut it is unreasonable to expect a voting ?kipper and crow at once to reach the standard of .-ailing that is looker! for in the trials. In 'he eirruin = tapces flic lads did rpiite well, the most outstanding fault being a derided tendency to try and point the boat to., high, and a disregard of the benefit; of working the main sheet. To lie sure, all the skipper? seemed to think that once the main sheet was passed under the cleat it wa? finished with. This is contrary to the practice of some of me most capable of the Auckland skippers,

who leave mo-t nf !h:> work to the free hnvch of the mirUhip ninn Tal-inn- <.v»rvthinrr into full ron = ir;erafioti, ami' oifefnlly' 'vniHvnc her perfornunnre, in (lie three trinK hil-en lin* uru'.o'.hter K in-tided Hie efforts put forward by tb.' nniM-r and the '-vroVMn

ti.n'-rinrf In-twecn two )..-i'P-n<.' born nn the f=nm<? Hay of thi.- werk is r-rtam to brinir misfortune To theseunfortunate manis;'-. a,I chhdivii are filled 1)V ;i name wheh l)-".:in* with a lntter ak=or-i;if"il with tn r ' day r,f the wee!: upou which thoy were bom.