AT THE SIGN of THE PENNANT

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 12, 5 April 1927, Page 7

AT THE SIGN of THE PENNANT

By KEELSON. YACHTING NOTES T. he Hmhmond Cruising Club’s re°ff - Very successfully on weatter n-Ai? ° f tbe fact that the c“uf a condrtions were not all that point of view. Cn S ‘ red fF ° m a Sailin S ea‘rlv IS o-.V? aS f er , I v wind Prevailed in the t .° l the af ternoon, allowing four 1 ovf S t° ,t tart on tlme ’ but before °clock the wlnd almost petered un ■ , ert^ eless ’ though a few gave the h l' , y ' >ccausc they were out of races finished in fair time all things considered. The race for the 22ft class promised f urmsh the star attraction, in view h Z b t_ isr event this week-end, but though there was not a great deal between the first three boats, interest waned The Valeria finished first, and won the handicap by 2m 36s on corrected times.

The M class, rarely fails to provide a close finish and Saturday’s race was no exception. It was left to the Manene and Mollie on this occasion to fight it out, honours going to the Manene by 295. The Mollie though a consistent starter does not get very many wins, but, given a sequence of races in light weather, she would more than hold her own. It was reported that the Manene had the bad luck to foul the Maroro during the race. The question of the breach will have to go before the club’s sailing committee for investigation. The Namu was asked to give away big starts to the other competitors in her class, and was very nearly successful, being beaten by the Lancia on time allowance. In the T class race, the Kismet won with ease. .She got away at gunfire and cleared away from the field. This boat is coming to the fore again after putting up some moderate performances for one of her type. The Alerte and Cupid had their usual close race in the Y class, but the Alerte again proved too good in the light stuff, beating Cupid in by nearly 3m. The Surprise was no surprise packet for the other competitors in the B class, as they are all wise to her speed, and know they have to do their best to keep anywhere near her. The owners of this boat deserve all the success they achieve—if only for the manner in which they keep her in good racing trim. THE LIPTON CUP The annual contest for the Lipton Cup takes place next Saturday*. This race is limited to all mullet boats of the 22ft restricted type, and never fails to create considerable interest. The cup itself, as the name implies, was presented to the Ponsonby Cruising Club for annual competition, by Sir Thomas Lipton. All races for its possession are controlled by that club. All boats of the class, with any pretentions to championship honours, have been nominated by their respective clubs, and a good contest is assured. The Rakoa, last year’s winner, is again the Richmond Club’s representative, and with Vic. Riley at the helm, she is sure to be a hard one to beat. All the local clubs that cater for the mullet boat classes have challenged for the trophy, their nominations are: Venus, Takapuna Boating Club; Valeria, Akarana Yacht Club; Huia, Ponsonby Cruising Club; Kokiri, Victoria Cruising Club; Varuna 11., Devonport Yacht Club; Mahia, Tamaki Yacht Club; Mowai, Manukau Yacht and Motor Boat Club; Forest Gold, Milford Cruising Club; Lucille, Point Chevalier Sailing Club. - The Forest Gold was due to leave vesterday for a week’s cruise, which will mean that the Milford Club will have to find another boat.

Rumour has it that the Marie will be substituted. If this is so, a most dangerous rival enters the contest. If Vic. Lidgard handles her, and can bring her back to her old form, the race looks at her mercy, providing of course that the weather is not too heavy. It is understod that watersails, which were carried on the run up the harbour by several of the boats on Saturday, will be ruled out for the Lipton Cup race. Contestants will, however, be notified. PONSONBY’S CUP DAY Next Saturday can rightly be called the Ponsonby Club’s Cup day, for in addition to the Lipton Cup, races will be held for the H class, Jackson Cup; N class, Speight Cup; M and S classes, Elliston Cup; V class, Foster Cup; T and Y classes, Carr Cup; and X class, Hewson Memorial Cup. THE HEWSON CUP The Hewson Cup was given by friends of the late Mr. Arthur Hewson, one of the founders of the Ponsonby Club, to perpetuate the memory of a loyal and tireless worker not only in the interests of his club but of aquatics generally. “Keelson,” cannot understand why interest in this event has been lacking, or, at any rate, was last year. In addition to the cup each of the winning crew receives an engraved gold medal, which, in itself, maks it the most important event of its kind on the harbour. Interest yourself, you youths under the age of 21. Get into touch with the owners of Jellicoe class boats. They will only be to pleased to see their boats competing for such a worthy object. BOATING CLUB REVIVED The revival of the PanniLire Boating Club, which ceased its activities nine years ago, is welcomed by yachtsmen of that district. The former secretary, Mr. S. Hamlin, has agreed to carry on his original position. EASTER MONDAY RACES On Easter Monday, April 18, the Tamaki Yacht Club will, hold harbour races off St. Helier’s. There is not a good tide, however, and keel yachts cannot be catered for, but there will be races for all mullet boats and smaller classes. As it happens, this is the only day that the association can allot to Tamaki. A race for outriggers has also been arranged, under the auspices of the Auckland Rowing Association.

The last date on the card for this season, April 30, has been allotted to the Victoria. Cruising Club. On this day all classes down to 20-footers will compete in a general handicap for the Casey Cup. M, V, and S classes will sail for the Rae Cup, and 14-footers of all classes for the Boonstra Memorial Cup. SATURDAY'S PROTESTS The Sailing Committee have two protests from Saturday to inquire into to-morrow night, one from the Richfrom the Manukau Yacht Club. In the race for M class boats on the Waitemata, the skipper of the Maroro reported that the Manene, on the port, had failed to give way to the Maroro on the starboard at the tide deflector. Manene won the race, Maroro finishing third. „ __ , , _ Lone Star, Betty and Emerald finished in that order in the race for 14-footers and under on the Manukau, but a protest was entered, alleging mond Cruising Club and the other that Lone Star did not sail round the bottom mark. The Sailing Committee’s verdict may affect the placings.