YACHTING

Southland Times, Issue 23715, 13 January 1939, Page 3

YACHTING

WRONG SIGNAL GIVEN IN IDLE-ALONG RACE (United Press Association) NELSON, January 12. The first two races for the New Zealand Idlealong championships were sailed today, but the second event was annulled because 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 tomorrow morning. The first event, sailed in a light southerly breeze over a twopoint course of eight miles and _ aquarter, resulted: Tornado (Wellington) 1, Rose Marie (Bay of Pierfly) 2, Mayfair (Nelson) 3. Two other boats. Marita (Canterbury) and Vagabond (Marlborough) were well behind. A feature of the race was the changing of positions, the three leaders, Mayfair. Rose Marie and Tornado, holding the advantage at various times. On the final beat the Mayfair took the lead, but against the wind the Tornado outsailed its opponents, winning by half a minute. The manoeuvres of the Tornado’s skipper, battling for the advantage, provided a highlight. The second and third boats also sailed well. Points are:—Tornado 6, Rose Marie 5, Mayfair 4, Marita 3 and Vagabond 2. In the second race the first round of the 10-mile course took an hour in the light northerly breeze. Suddenly a southerly, of almost gale force, began. The Marita provided a thrill for the spectators when she was caught on a full gust with the spinnaker set, planing for half a mile in a spectacular run before the wind. On the following beat the Marita was given the wrong finish signal and withdrew when leading. Tornado won from Rose Marie, with Mayfair third.