TRANS-TASMAN EVENT

Southland Times, Issue 22450, 10 December 1934, Page 7

TRANS-TASMAN EVENT

YACHTS MAKE A START. (Per United Press Association.) Auckland, December 9. Two yachts, the Auckland sloop Ngataki and the German yawl Te Rapunga, started in the trans-Tasman race from Auckland to Melbourne which commenced off the Akarana Yacht Club’s clubhouse in Judge’s Bay shortly before three o’clock on Saturday afternoon. Very boisterous conditions prevailed in the harbour, a strong easterly wind causing a short choppy sea. A large number of people gathered round the shores of the bay to watch the start. There was hardly standing room on the foreshore in the vicinity of the clubhouse, while many scores of cars were parked on the waterfront road. Some of the more enthusiastic spectators took up points of vantage on the eastern tide deflector. In spite of the rough nature of the harbour a large number of yachts and launches appeared to bid farewell and escort the competitors down the harbour. The wind was so strong that most of the pleasure yachts were sailing under trysails or heavily reefed mainsails and throwing clouds of spray, from their bows, and with the sun shining on their white sails they made a brave showing.

The Start. At 2.41 p.m. the preparatory gun was fired from the mark boat by the cap-tain-sergeant and the “blue peter” run up to the masthead. Five minutes later there was a second flash and bark from the gun and the race of 1630 miles had commenced. Both yachts were to windward of the line and coming down off wind with the sun in their teeth they presented a memorable sight. The German yacht soon showed her superior speed when close hauled and before 500 yards had been covered she had overhauled and sailed to windward of the Ngataki. The Auckland yacht appeared to be labouring and making considerable leeway, while the Te Rapunga slipped easily through the water and worked to windward with ease. By the time the yachts were off North Head the Te Rapunga had established a lead of about half a mile. She increased the gap on the beat out and passed Rangitoto beacon at 4.3 p.m., 10 minutes ahead of her rival.

Both yachts have a crew of five. The Ngataki is manned by Mr J. W. Wray, owner and navigator; and G. B. Wray, R. Hunt, M. Robinson and I. Graham, while on board the Te Rapunga is Captain George Dibbern and Gunter Schramm, who sailed the vessel from Germany, J. N. Tattersfield, F. J. Norris and A. E. Vaile.