YACHT AND MOTOR BOAT NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3595, 6 February 1923, Page 43

YACHT AND MOTOR BOAT NOTES.

Bv Ruddkb. lo a southerner who sees the Auckland anniversary legatta for the first time th« impression loft on his mind is a memorable one. In comparison with other centres trie number and variety of craft, ranging from the international six-metre class to almost anything which will float, is an ineffaceable memory. In all there were 14 classes represented at the regatta, and as there are , over 350 motor boats on the association’s register and 62 sailing vessels in the 18ft class, together with representative numbers in the other classes, Auckland harbour on regatta day is a beautiful inland sea, dotted with graceful white wings of every possible design. The visiting yachtsmen were keenly interested in the 14ft races, in which rh© Sanders Cup candidates were compering. Substantial rewards tempted large fields, and the competitors in this and other races were frequently interfered with. Indeed, this was one of the striking things at the regatta—the general lack of that courtesy which is invariably shown to competitors was in too large a degree absent. The wins registered by Murihiku and Linnet were popular and deserved. As a regatta it was a wonderful spectacle. As a series of contests it was interesting and exciting for competitors and public. In contradistinction to the Otao method, which is quite antiquated, the programme contained all the handicaps, and that part of the public which was interested in any particular event could follow the race and at the end recognise the winner. Of course starting on the Mark l’oy system would further simplify matters for the public, but the improvement on southern methods was wholly satisfactory. The officials were highly capable, and understood their various jobs. One or two notable evasions of rules were overlooked or escaped notice, but ns a whole the regatta was very creditably managed. One of the strange rumours which preceded the sailing of the Sanders Clup trials concerned Murihiku, and the assertion was made that she had never left Dunedin, and that therefore Otago was having twochanccs in the Cup. Authoritative denials and explanations followed quickly. Whatever may bo the ultimate influence of the Sanders Cup contests on the sport, they are at present exercising a stimulating interest among the general public. As was the case in Dunedin last year, so it is in Auckland. This week thousands of people are, for the first time in their lives, discussing 14-footers in general, and the sport of boating in particular. The management of the contest, has been good, and everything has been done lo make visitors feel quite at home. Several of the officials who acted at Dunedin (Messrs I). Paterson end E. Davis among file number) are in responsible positions here, and the arrangements are complete. With the great fleet of launches there is ample acoommodaiion, and the harbour and harhAurside was gay on the occasions of the first two races. Winifred’s showing as a whole has been disappointing. Certainly she sailed a fine race in the first test, and only missed winning by the smallest possible margin at the critical moment. The skipper of the Linnet took the race out of her hands. The veteran, S. Sinclair, has been sailing since boyhood, and there is little of the game lie does not know. In the second race Winifred’s display was more than disappointing. At no period were her chances rosy, and she sailed as if waterlogged. The weather in both races should have suited her, but it is possible that, the clipping off of a piece of her sail has altered her trim to the disadvantage of her sailing qualities. In the third race she. showed to belter advantage in the heavy wind. Her crew worked hard to achieve victory, but in this race Rona was far and away the best boat. The Sanders Cun will not find a resting place in Dunedin this vear, and the Otago contingent in Auckland is slowly recovering from the disappointment which followed the defeat and elimination of Winifred from the contest. The crew, and everyone connected with the boat, have worked hard to win success, but in the third race, in heavy weather. Winifred was an inferior boat to Rona, which won a great rat* and deserved her victory.