YACHTING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20892, 5 December 1929, Page 4

YACHTING.

By Rudder.

FIXTURES. December 7.—Sanders and .Corn-well Cup trial races. December 14.—Vauxhall Club races; Burkes-St. Leonards Club races. December - 26.—Macandrew Bay regatta. • January I.—Broad Bay regatta.January 23.—Otago Yacht Club (cruising race to Broad Bay). February 15.—Bavensbourne regatta, Vauxhall Club races. February 18, 19, • and 20.—Cornwell Cup contest. March 13.—Otago Yacht Club races, Vauxhall Club races. April 12.—Vauxhall Club races.

. The wind last Saturday was just a little. on the light side for the larger yachts, but_ good time was made in the Otago Club's general handicap class. Interest centred oh the new six-metre Dawn, which competed in her first race. Unfortunately, the light wind prevented the Miti- from reaching the starting line in time. This was a pity,.as she has a sporting crew, and is a much improved boat. Dawn, Vera, Orex, Minnow, andStarlight started away before a light north-east wind, Miti crossing the line some minutes later. On the run to the top mark Vera’s large sail spread gave her an advantage, and, although Dawn rounded the buoy first, there was little: margin between the two. Once on the close haul for the lower mark, however, Dawn shoived her superior weather qualities, steadily working out a lead, which was never challenged.. Irex showed some of her earlier form, sailing a good steady race: Her time allowance of 12 minutes gave her second placed and put her within 49 seconds of first place. Both Minnow and - Starlight profited by previous experiences, and worked- a course well out on the channel wall. Starlight sailed an exceptionally good race, and might easily have been among the prizewinners.

It will .be readily understood that the new six-metre yacht Dawn was the object of much critical interest on Saturday. She differs radically from the older typo yachts, both in-form of- hull and rig, but to the onlooker the most striking featurewould probably-, be the extreme curtailment of her sail area, which apparently is less than either Vera or Jliti are carrying. ■Of course, the six-metre class are not looked upon as light weather racing craft. The rules call for a sturdy, full-bodied craft which likes some pressure in the wind, so Dawn’s performance on Saturday was exceptionally pleasing. The high mast, ivith a pronounced rake aft, ami all the sail inboard, is a revolutionary change . from old-time principles, but in the older countries the Marconi or Bermuda rig is accepted as the more efficient in windward work. It will be interesting to see how the new boat shapes against the older type in a breeze. Too much_ cannot be expected against Tucana, which'will rate about-11 metres, but if the owner of Thelma could be induced to join up again there would be a very interesting class in the horbour.

The handicapping in the Otago Yacht Club’s motor boat race, held last Saturday. was all that could be desired. There was only Imin 36sec between the winner (Stella) and Islay, the last boat to finish, while between the scratch boat the hydroplane (Miss Bruce) and the limit boat (Pacific). which had. an allowance of 26min 55sec. there was only XSsec at the finish. The results reflect great credit on the Club’s handicappers, Messrs P. Drummond, W. Henderson, and Knewstubb.

Despite the rough weather experienced' last week end, the majority of the boating men at> Broad Bay were afloat. Most of the launches took part in the Otago Club’s race. It was a fine sight to see the three Broad Bay speed boats—Miss Bruce. Argo, and Mist—racing up the channel. The boats, .covered the distance between Broad Bay add the boat harbour in less than 20 'minutes. The only Broad Bay boat to secure- a p'i.ee in last Saturday’s race was Ugie. Her owner is very keen, and never fails to make a week-end trip to Broad Bay? ' The Broad Bay Chib’s fleet is increasing every week. There is a large fleet of launches registered with the club, and the owners are so keen to race that the club will probably be requested to* bold additional events. With only one day in the season allotted to club racing, launch owners are compelled to compete in events held by other clubs, ■ There are' many launch owners who would give the club every support, if it held races at various times during the season. It was unfortunate that tbe owners of the speed boats Argo and Mist made a mistake with regard to the course when competing in the Otago Club’s launch race last Saturday. They did not start in the channel, and both boats were disqualified.. i The fine display made by the yachts of all sizes on the Upper Harbour last Saturday afternoon was very pleasing to tbe old hands. There were over 20 yachts under canvas, and the enthusiasm shown by tlie crews was sufficient proof that the sailing boat has once again tome into its own on Otago Harbour.

LAST SATURDAY'S TRIALS,

The trial between tbe Jellieoe cla c s boats- on the Upper Harbour last Saturday afternoon was the best test ot the scries, and also the most interesting. Although the wind was very Hg'i- from the north-east, the boats were given a fairly good test when it came to a beat to windward, Kellctt appeared to take things very easy in the first round of the windward and leeward course, keeping Eileen cither in front or in a handy position, but once the Ravcnsbournc skipper set out on the second round he settled down to win. Jn a very few minutes Eileen opened up a big. lead, and for the third time in succession she sailed home an easy winner, beating Heather by over one minute. Watching Eileen’s sailing on Saturday one was convinced that there is nothing to heat her in the Jcllicoe class in the harbour. Heather was in charge of her ownet;, W. J. p. M'Culloch. and Otago’s first champion" showed some of her old sailing powers. She was well handled, especially on the last beat to windward, when she gained about a minute on Eileen. Shamrock was also well handled hy Hugh Riddell the hoy giving a far better display of his ability as a skipper than he did in

the previous race. When beating to the ■weather mark in' the first round Shamrock held second position, but a favourable slant .of .wind her to move '"ery fast, and she passed to windward" of Eileen. Riddell's -lead, however, was brief, as last years cup challenger quickly passed Shamrock on the run. This was i the only occasion that any boat has succeeded in getting in front of Eileen during the sailing of the three trials. Kia Ora and Squib were never ip the picture, hut their young crews must not be discouraged. The boys are learning new ideas every day, and the skill shown \ by all- the young men now sailing in •I el acne and Takapuna class boats on this harbour proves beyond doubt that Otago has the best contingent of young and ramming yachtsmen seen for many years. : The 1 two Takapuna class races were closely contested, and - the young l crews' -. gave affine exhibition of sailing. ■ Thei.outstanding feature of the trials was the sknl shown by Roy Harris, who sailed buzette wth great judgment in the first trial. This .boy gives every promise of becoming a yachtsman of ability in the'V future, and his handling of 'Suzette, and'"" - also of Pupuke in the second race, greatlypleased the sailing judges and the speetapors. The skilful handling of the two boats by-Harris on Saturday has placed nan'in the leadng position for points, and' be is bound to receive due consideration - when the Otago crew is selected to sail m the Cornwell Cup contest. Harris was untortunate in'not winning the second' race. He was late in starting but brought nis boat well to the .front, when on the thrash to windward. Some disarrange*' *v ment wth the sail caused a slight set--back, and then the boy was unfortunate towards the close of .the race. Sailing on the best tack Harris brought Pupuke on even terms with Suzette. , the leadingboat, but the wind was. spilled frhm thl sails just when Pupuke appeared to have the race won.' M'Laren, in charge of Colleen, also sailed, a good race. When the wind freshened and veered to the southeast, Colleen was on the starboard tack, and holding a wind which Pupuke end .buzette lost, and MTLaren sailed Colleen home with over one minute to spare. The skipper of Suzette (S. Bewley) sailed a' good race, _ and held the leading position ■ tor some time, whefl he brought hi* boat ?? t £ e -.'l lnd a ‘- ter rounding the mark- at the Kitchener street wharf. • He Tost The wind when within a quarter of a mile of ■ u jL In i e ' -KIS a board towards the channel. This move appeared to lose the race for Suzette, Sigma X was not very Prominent'in the second race. The Bailing judges are to be commended for deciding to start the trials in the channel opposite the boat harbour. Although ' the rock wall leading to the harbour entrance has its disadvantages, the conditions are much more pleasant for the competing crews, as they receive their instructions m comfort in smooth water, when the boats are brought alongside the rock nail inside the haven.

SOUTHLAND’S. NEW BOAT.

SoulhJand intends to make another bid tor the Sanders Cup at Auckland. The southern enthusiasts deserve success, as , tr f ed >' ea r after year to win the ctft-eted trophy, first with Murihiku (built at Dunedin) then with Murihiku i»r at Auckland), and then with Murihifcu 111 (built at Invercargill). It will surprise many to learn that Mr Gordon Johnston, of Invercargill, has purchased the Jellicoe class boat Val from Mr C. G. Macindoe, of Auckland. Val has been shipped to her new home. It is confidently expected that she will reurn to Auckland in January to represent Southland in the Sanders Cup contest. Confirming the sale of Val, Mr Macindoe said that last season he had decided to take no further part in the Sanders Cup contest owing to the way in which the Jast Auckland trials were conducted As a sportsman, he was still interested in the contest, and was prepared at some future time to build another boat, if the conditions of holding the trials were pat on a better looting. Mr Macindoe also stated that he had offered Eona as a gift to a southern centre. Up to the present no definite acceptance had been received. The wile of \al, and the possible disposal of Rona leaves onlv one suitable boat to represent Aucklaud—Mr Frank Lnke s Avalon—the present holder of the cup An Auckland writer says this will make the work_ of the three selectors simple, and possibly obviate the necessity for bolding trials, unless the question of crew is to he taken into account. Avalon has been placed in commission, and was seen under racing canvas on the Waitemata last Saturday. .