BOXING DAY REGATTA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24491, 27 December 1940, Page 7

BOXING DAY REGATTA

MACANDREW BAY FIXTURE MARRED BY SQUALLY WEATHER Repeated squalls and heavy showers of rain marred the regatta which was held at Macandrew Bay yesterday under the auspices of the North-East Harbour Boating Club. One yacht race was sailed under a full-sail breeze, but while the all-comers' sailing race was in progress a heavy south-westerly squall struck the fleet at Raynbird's a short time after the event had started. Most of the smaller craft sought shelter speedily. Miti, a keeler, ran aground and lay broadside on the seas until the storm passed, while the other keelers rapidly lowered canvas to ride out the storm. -The event was abandoned. Only one launch race was run, and the limit boat won easily from the remaining eight starters. The scratch boat had barely started the four-mile run when the winner crossed the finishing line. Te Tiki, Sylvia and Power Chief gave assistance to yachts in difficulties when the storm struck. There were excellent entries in the under 13ft yacht race, nine boats competing, while eight came forward in the all comers' event. Eleven launches were handicapped in the one event for powered craft. Entries were affected by war conditions, and the programme of five races were curtailed to three. in the past the North-East Harbour Club has not been fortunate with the weather conditions for its fixtures, but the 1940 Boxing Day regatta was the worst in this respect for a number of years. ■ All races were started under the Mark Foy system, with sealed handicaps. Following were the results, corrected times being given;— Yachts 13ft and Under.—Welcome (scr), lhr lOmin. 1; Quest (lmin), lhr Umin 30sec, 2; Pupuke (2min), lhr 13min 45sec, 3. Also started: Vagabond (scr), Peggety (2min), Popeye (4min). Tai Oma (4min 30sec), Lone Star (lOmin), Annabella (14min). Quest went away lmin before her time, but it was decided to allow her to continue. Oakie capsized on the first leg down the harbour, but her crew righted' her Her heavy sail, however, dragged her over again a short time afterwards. The race began in a light northerly, • but after 10 minutes a blustering north-wes-terly arose. All the boats carried twoman (light weather) crews, and it was fine seamanship to stand them up after the first heavy puff. Around the first leg, the competitors were well bunched. Back across the starting line the order was Pupuke (45sec in the lead), and Quest, Tai Oma and Peggety within 15sec of one another. There was some fine spinnaker work past the buoy. On the beat back to the finishing line. Welcome and Quest made the pace, and headed Pupuke. All Comers The starters were: Miti (scr), Foam (3min 30sec), Lynette (smin 30sec), Ripple (6min 30sec), Manihi (7min 30sec), Wampa (7min 30sec), Tai Oma (lOmin), Heather (lOmin). When the yachts had "st rounded Raynbird's buoy, a strong southwesterly squall struck them. Mm and Foam immediately struck all sail, but the former ran aground on the Foam anchored to stand-by. The other yachts withdrew into shelter. The race was abandoned. Power Boats Ugie (29min), 34min 40sec, 1; Sunshine (7min), 38min 30sec, 2; Kestless uonu.i), 40min 45sec, 3. Also started: M"rcur" is"H. Sadie K. (6min), Zeta (19min), Electra (19min), Gracie (20min), Leta i2omin). The first .boat, Ugie, finished about lmin after the scratch craft, Mercury, had started. Apparently she was handicapped on past performances, although it was stated that the handicapper had been notified that a new engine had been shipped.