YACHTING SEASON

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22719, 4 November 1935, Page 5

YACHTING SEASON

OPENING AT PORT CHALMERS A REPRESENTATIVE GATHERING A spanking nor’-easte'rly breeze made conditions ideal for sailing on Saturday afternoon, but the absence of sunshine rather marred the official opening of the yachting season, which, this year, was left in the hands of the Port Chalmers Yacht and Motor Boat Club to arrange. Despite the rather bleak conditions, however, there was a good gathering of yachtsmen at the port, and every fleet in the harbour was represented. One of the most pleasing features of the gathering was the number of “ old hands ” who were present, and who took a keen interest in the proceedings. Comment was also made on the fine appearance of the craft, most of which showed plenty of evidence of careful preparation for the coming season’s racing, the prosEects for which appear to be exeedingly right. The visitors were welcomed by Mr W. J. Watson, commodore of the Port Chalmers Club, who said that it was five years since his club had been given the privilege of arranging the opening day function. A combined opening of all the clubs, he said, was an excellent thing, us it gave yachtsmen a chance to meet one another at the start of the season and develop friendships. Mr W. J. Wilson, president of the New Zealand Bowing Association, conveyed to the yachtsmen of Otago the best wishes of the oarsmen for a successful season. He, too, favoured a combined opening, and added that he would like to see an opening day regatta in which all the yachtsmen and oarsmen of the province could take part. He recalled the many fine regattas held on Otago Harbour in the past, and said he knew of no reason why those regattas should not be revived. Mr E. T. Holier, president of the Otago Yachting Association, congratulated the Port Chalmers Club on the arrangements for the gathering, and also congratulated yacht owners on the excellent appearance of most of the craft. There was no doubt, he said, that the sport was going ahead in Otago, and the enthusiasm displayed by the yachtsmen indicated that the season would be a good one. The season was declared open by the Mayor of Port Chalmers (Mr T. Scollay), who described yachting as the finest of all sports, and said that he was proud of his association with it. Some of the happiest days of his life had been spent on the harbour. After the official opening ceremony the visitors were taken for a cruise on the harbour. Music was supplied by the Port Chalmers Marine Band. SANDERS CUP TRIAL FIRST RACE TO VAL A strong north-easterly wind made conditions far from pleasant for the first Sanders Cup trial race, which was sailed on Saturday afternoon, for the purpose of choosing a boat and crew for the contest at Auckland in February. While the finish was not a close one, Val, the winning boat, crossing the line 3min 45sec ahead of Squib, the contest was one of the most interesting that has been held on the harbour. No fewer than seven 14footers competed, Winifred, which had also entered, being unable to sail, as she was not off (he slip in time for the race. All the boats carried heavy-weather crews, and the strong wind made good seamanship essential to keep the yachts afloat. Rada capsized on the first beat down the harbour, and the crew was rescued by the follow-up boat, Marion Eileen, after carrying away a mainsail batten early in the race, broke her main rigging chain plate, and retired, and Yvonne burst her mainsail when in a good position, and was also forced to retire. THE RACE DESCRIBED. The course—a windward and Reward one—was from a line between Victoria wharf and the Channel buoy down to Castle beacon and back to the Kitchener street pile. This course was covered twice, finishing with a beat back to the starting line. The boats were sent away at 3.15 pan. Val being first across the line after the gun, closely followed by Squib. Eileen. Yvonne, Heather, and Rada. Betty mad" a bad start, being two minutes behind the first boat. All the boats stood over towards the Peninsula. Val putting Squib about, and holding the weather position. Val was first to lay for the mark, rounding at 3.36, and Heather was next two minutes later, followed by Squib and Yvonne in that order. Yvonne burst he: mainsail toon after rounding and re-'

tired before reaching the Kitchener street pile. Squib set 1 her leading jib as a spinnaker and laid a straighter course for the pile than any of the other boats. Commencing the second round, Val was still in the lead from Heather, Squib and Betty. Heather stood right over towards Waverley and touched the rocks, losing her place to Squib. The order remained unchanged from then on, Val holding her lead well, although Squib set her main spinnaker, and made desperate efforts to catch the leading boat. The finishing times were as follows: Val, Ihr Imin SOsee .. I Squib, Ihr smin 15sec 2 Heather, Ihr 9min 20sec 3 Betty, Ihr llmin 4 The second race will be sailed next Saturday.