RAVENSBOURNE REGATTA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21599, 21 March 1932, Page 13

RAVENSBOURNE REGATTA

ATTRACTIVE AQUATIC DISPLAY PERFECT BOATING CONDITIONS. Bright sunshine and a light breeze from the south-east provided ideal conditions for the Ravenebourne regatta, which was held off Eavensbouruo on Saturday afternoon. It is many years since an Otago aquatic body was favoured with such perfect weather, and it was not surprising to see such a large crowd of spectators present. The residents of West Harbour turned out in full force, and hundreds of visitors came from all parts of the harbour by train, motor car, and launch. It was estimated that more than 2000 people lined the foreshore' at Ravensbourne and occupied vantage points on the main road and hillsides. Yachts, motor boats, speed boats, and rowing skiffs made a spectacular display. The light breeze was not strong enough to make the yacht races interesting, and as the wind almost died away when the two principal sailing events were in progress the boats made little headway, and most of them Were becalmed at various stages. On the other hand, the motor and speed boats and the rowing men raced under practically ideal conditions. In the first class yacht race the two Bermuda-rigged craft —Dawn and Shadow —with their high sails, had an advantage over the other boats. The skipper of Shadow introduced something new in Otago yachting by carrying the leading jib at the top of the tall mast. The high sail, carrying a light air, proved a great advantage, as Shadow gradually overhauled most of the fleet. The wind veered slightly to the north before 5 p.m., but it was very light, and it was late before the boats struggled home. All classes of aquatic sport were catered for, and no fewer than six swimming events figured on the programme. Chief interest was centred in the One-mile Harbour Race for the E. H. James Cup. Twelve swimmers competed, and the winner was Miss M. Mathieson, who put up a fine performance, her time for the distance being 34min f>scc. There was a great struggle between T. Pullar and V. Newell for second place, the former beating his opponent by a few feet. Newall swam a very fine race, and registered the fastest time (32min 51see). The small boys had a “ field day ” with their model yachts. No fewer than 36 models figured in the race for first-class boats, and there were 25 competitors in the race for second-class models.

Among the oid-time yachtsmen present were Mr T. Ross, the first commodore of the Ravensbourno Boating Club, and Captain Coll M'Donald, Two Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve whalers, manned by Otago ratings, were in attendance. The boats were entered for the first-class yacht race, but did not start owing to the lack of weight in the wind. One of the rowing events was confined to crews from the Otago Rowing Club. The oarsmen rowed the final for the Ravensbourue Salt Water Baths Cup, and Zaffor’s crew beat Lawless and his three men by a good margin. During tije afternoon the Mayor of West Harbour (Mr T. H. Harridge) extended a cordial welcome to the residents and visitors. It was very pleasing, he said, to see such a large number of people present on such a perfect day. Owing to bad weather, the regatta had to be postponed on February 20, but the bright sunshine and the gay scene that day would indicate that the postponement had been beneficial to the committee.

Mr W. Webber (commodore of the Ravensbourne Boating Club) thanked the residents and visitors for coming along in such large numbers. It was a pleasure to welcome them to the club’s new boatshed. He thanked the West Harbour Band for providing the music, and Mr J. Potter for conveying the children on short harbour trips in his large open boat. Mr G. Errington congratulated the Ravensbourne Boating Club on erecting the new boatshed from the ashes of the old one. It was hoped that the young members of the club would take a pride in the shed and maintain the traditions of the club.

The official party on the flagship included the judges (Messrs H. A. George, W. H. Riddell, and A. E. Daveys); handicappers (Messrs A, Grant, A. D. Asher, and J. H. Barton); starters (Messrs J. D. Cameron, R. Ross, and C. Boswell); timekeepers (Messrs 0. George and G. E. Kellett). The rowing events were controlled by Messrs C. R. Caffin, W. G. Glengarry, W. Robinson, and W. Lysagbt, and the swimming events by Messrs F. Mitchell and E. Montgomery. During the afternoon the West Harbour Brass Band supplied an excellent programme of musical numbers, and an energetic Ladies’ Committee provided refreshments in the boatshed. The following are the results:— YACHTS YACHTS (All-comers). —First £3 and coil of yacht line, second £1 10s, third 15s. Dawn (scr) 1 Viking (ISmin 30sec) .. .. 2 Ircx (l4min 30sec) 3 Also competed: Miti (4min), Shadow (7min 30sec), and Minnow (lOrain). Dawn, with her high sails, carried more wind than the other boats, and quickly established a big lead, but this was later reduced by Shadow. YACHTS (18ft and under). —First £2 10s, second £l, third 10s. Squib (scr) 1 Winifred (liniri) ........ 2 Eileen (3rain) 3 Also competed: Heather (4min), Avalon (30sec), Vivian (12min), Swastika (7min), and Starlight (4min SOsec). Squib was very capably handled by C. Pettit, and the vauxhall boat, assuming the lead shortly after the start, quickly opened up a big gap and won easily. Avalon retired on the lead back to the finishing line, YACHTS (12ft 6in and under).—First £l 10s, second £l, third 10s, Frolic (4min) 1 Lassie (2min SOsec) 2 Pupuke (Imin) 3 Also competed: Suzette ,(scr), Good Luck (7min), Harlequin (Imin SOsec), and Buna (SOsec). Good Luqk started 7min late, Suzette led throughout, and completed the course in Ihr llmin 40sec, but a protest was entered against her by several of the competing crews, as she fouled the castle beacon. The judges disqualified Suzette and awarded first place to Frolic, the second boat to finish. MODEL YACHTS (First Classl. B, Hes’s Nancy II I G. Currie’s Annis 2 T, Ferguson’s Lone Star .... 3 Thirty-six models competed. MODEL YACHTS (Second Class). A. Booth’s Mayo la 1 W. Tomlinson’s Joy 2 Dawn 3 Twenty-five models competed. MOTOR BOATS MOTOR BOATS (rated eight miles and under per hour). —First £3, second £1 10s. third 10s. Wee Mac (Bmin lOsec) .... 1 Bonnie Mary (6min lOsec) .. 2 Vyella (6min lOsec) 3 Also competed: Manuka (14min lOsec), Tui 111 (lOmin lOsec), Shirley (7min ssec), Kiwi (lOmin 4sec). and Sylvia (scr). Manuka was the first boat to finish, but was disqualified for exceeding the declared speed. Tui 111 was disqualified for starting Imin SOsec before time. Wee Mac won by 14sec, and the second and third boats were separated by 10 seconds. MOTOR BOATS (rated over eight miles per hour). First £3. second £1 10s, third 10s. Muritai (6min 40sec) .... 1 Rambler (smin) 2 Stella (4min 25sec) 3 Also competed: Iron Duke (9min 20sec) and Tuatea (Imin 30sec). Muritai won by ISsec. SPEED BOATS.—First £2, second £l. Tui II (smin) 1 Miss Lenore (srain) 2 Argo (SOsec) 3 Also competed: Nymph. Tui II won by 2sec. C. C- WAKEFIELD CUP HEAT (speed boats rated at 15 miles and over per hour). Argo (scr) 1 Miss Lenore (2min 27scc) .. 2 The only starters. ROWING YOUTHS’ FOURS.—First trophy value £2, second trophy value £l. North End Boating Club .. 1 Otago Rowing Club 2 North End Boating Club (No. 2) 3

The only starters. The Otago crew stopped rowing when within about 60 yards of the line owing to bad steering by the coxswain, and the boat almost fouled a launch. Won by four lengths. Time, Train 3sec. MAIDEN FOURS.—First trophy value £2, second trophy value £l. North End Boating Club .. 1 Otago Rowing Club (No. 2) 2 Also competed: Otago Rowing Club No. 1. This crew did not finish. Won by three lengths. Time. 6min 55scc. SALT WATER BATHS CUP. Otago Rowing Club (Zaffer’s crew) 1 Otago Rowing Club (Lawless’s crew) 2 Won by two lengths. SWIMMING HARBOUR RACE (E. H. James cup. One mile). Miss M. Mathieson (3min 30sec), 34min ssec .... 1 T. Pullar (4min), 36miu COsec) 2 V. Newall (scr), 32min 2scc 3 Twelve competed. INTERCLUB HANDICAP. ' 100 yards. Miss W. Newall ........ 1 C. Durand 2 Five competed. JUNIOR HANDICAP. 60 yards. G. Ruston 1 P. Ruston 2 Three competed. CHALLENGE CUP RELAY RACE. Dunedin'Amateur Swimming Club 1 Kiwi Amateur Swimming Club V 2 The only competitors. There were four men in each team. LADIES’ HANDICAP. 50 yards. Miss Ferguson and Miss Rix, dead heat I Four competed. OPEN DIVE. Miss Ferguson, Miss Munro, and Miss Morrison (equal) 1

Seven competed. Owing to the springboard breaking, the contest was confined to standing dives.