MANY CAPSIZES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21559, 23 January 1940, Page 5

MANY CAPSIZES

Centennial Regatta Launches Kept Busy By lelegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, January 22. A strong northerly wind to-day, which caused many capsizes, interfered with the final day of the Wellington Centennial regatta, probably the oldest sporting event in the province. In spite of unfavourable conditions, nearly 150 yachts competed. From the spectators’ point of view the racing was very satisfactory, being the most thrilling seen in Wellington for many years. Every precaution had been taken by the officials to see that launches were available to pick up crews and the owners of power boats were kept busy all day. The most spectacular event was the All Comers’ Race to Petone in the afternoon. The competitors ranged from takapunas 12ft 6in in length to A class keelers up to 45 feet overall. The classes were sent away from the starting line at intervals of a few minutes, and by the time the finishing line at Petone was reached they were well mixed. On corrected time Louie, a Rona Jellicoe boat from Evans Bay. was first, with Advance (Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club) second, and Manoa. an Auckland 18-footer, third. Good fields crossed the line in the morning races, but many were forced to withdraw before completing the course. A crowd of about 3000 persons watched the speedboat championships in Evans Bay. Competitors car re from all over New Zealand. Results:— (Wellington boats unless otherwise stated) A Class Keelers

That it is hoped to make the Wellington citizens’ anniversary yachting regatta an annual event was announced by Mr Noel Manthel. chairman of the committee to-night when the prizes won at the regatta were presented. Mr Manthel said the regatta which had concluded that day was the biggest yachting event ever held in Wellington. The committee thanked all who had made the event such a pronounced success and particularly those who had brought boats from far afield. He specially mentioned Gipsy, which had come from Bluff. Great credit was due to the Wellington crews who had given the regatta 100 per cent, co-operation. The committee hoped to make the regatta an annual affair on Wellington Anniversary Day, January 22. It was somewhat disappointing that so few of the public had viewed the regatta compared with the patronage which was extended to such events at Auckland and Wellington. Yachtsmen should strive to work the public up to look upon the Wellington regatta as their affair. Yachtsmen had been among the first to join the colours in the present war, and he was sure the training they had received in seamanship and discipline would fit them to play their part manfully.

Argo (29min) 1 Wakarere (25min) 2 Astral (27min) 3 B Class Keelers Ovster (13min) 1 Maranui <3mln> 2 3 Eighteen-Footers Manere, Auckland (2min) 1 Mamaru. Auckland (4min) 2 Fourteen-Footers Louie (4min) 1 Advance (3min) 2 Ariki, Lyttelton 3 Idle Alongs Elaine (2min) 1 Cavalier (3imin) 2 Tornado (3min) 3 Takapunas Bettv (4min) 1 Valeta i6min> Damfino I (scr) 3 Taurangas Matchbox <2min) 1 Sprat (Limin) 2 Redwing (45sec) 3 Allcomers Race Across Harbour Louie (18min) 1 Advance 2 Manoa. Auckland <12min) 3 Thirty-four started. Centennial Speedboat Championship Tinker II, 1124 points I Baby Pam. 761 points Mist Chief. 722 points 3 Cavalier, 613 points 4 Centennial Outboard Championship Pug, 1050 points 1 Silver Slipper. 994 points 2 Humerock, 949 points 3