SAILING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23706, 13 January 1939, Page 11

SAILING CHAMPIONSHIPS

IDLE ALONG CLASS (Per United Press Association) NELSON. Jan. 12. The first two races for the New Zealand Idle Along championships were sailed to-day, but the second event was annulled on account of a mistake on the part of the officials in signalling the finish before the final leg had been covered, resulting in the committee’s decision to resail the race to-morrow morning. The first event, sailed in a light southerly over a two-point course of eight miles and a/-quarter, resulted as follows: — \ Tornado (Wellington) .. .. .. 1 Rose Marie (Bay of Plenty) .. .. 2

Mayfair (Nelson) 3 Two other boats, Marita (Canterbury) and Vagabond (Marlborough), were well behind. A feature of the race was the changing positions of the three leaders, Mayfair. Rose Marie, and Tornado, each holding the advantage at various times. On the final beat Mayfair took the lead, but against the wind Tornado outsailed her opponents, winning by half a minute. The manoeuvring of the Tornado’s skipper when battling to obtain an advantage provided the highlight of the race. The second and third boats were also cleverly sailed, but Stutter’s handling of the winner was a masterly effort. The points obtained are as follows: — Tornado 6 Marie 5 Mayfair ... .. 4 Marita 3 Vagabond 2 In the second race the first round of the 10-mile course took an hour in a light northerly. Suddenly a southerly of almost gale force commenced, and splendid sailing resulted. Marita provided a thrill for spectators when she was caught by a full gust with her spinnaker set. planing for half a mile in. a spectacular run before the wind. On the following beat Marita was given the wrong finishing signal and withdrew when leading. Tornado won from Marie, Mayfair being third.