THE REGATTA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5163, 23 January 1895, Page 4

THE REGATTA.

The annual regatta under the euspices o? -the Port / Nicholson Yacht Club was held to-day, and proved to be one of the. most successful gatherings in the history of the club. Daring the forenoon there was not a breath of wind, the water in the harbour being like glass, and when the gun was fired at 11 o'clock to start the! boats in the flrst-olass event, the fleet lay almost motionless off the wharf. Within half an hour, however, a light southerly breeze sprang up, and continued throughout the rest of the day. This suited the smaller craft admirably, but was far from satisfactory to the larger boats, notably the competitors engaged in the first-class event. The win of the Waitangi in the big event was very popular, and Mr Logan, her builder, who steered her in the race, received a great ovation as he crossed the. line at the finish, the enthusiasm being renewed when the Eons, winner of the Becond-olaaa ohampionship, which was also built by Mr Logan, drew up alongside the Waitangi, and the two boats'? sailed away together to their moorings. It wao very evident that the wind was far too light to allow of the Mascotte showing the excellent sailing qualities she undoubtedly possesses. The sailing of the Napier boat in the second-class race was very much admired, aud regret was expressed that she could not be awarded first money. It io understood that . she is under offer to a Wellington syndicate, her owner being desirous of securing a larger boat. The following ate the particulars of the principal events :— . First-class Championship Yacht Race, 5-ratirig. and over; first prize £100 and the Commodore's cup, second £20} distance, about 27 knots— -Mr E. Logan's (Auckland) Waitangi, 10---rating, 6min 38seo, 1; Mr James Sinclair's (Lyfctelton) Mascotte, 14---ratirig, soratcb, 2; Mr M. Millar'B (Lyt-telton)-Pastime, B«rating, lOmin 30aec, 3j Mr George Mee's (Wellington) Maritana, 13-rating, lmin 24& ec, 4. All the boats came up to the flagship with' their kites i on, the Maritana and the' two Lyttelton yachts carrying the club topsails, and. the Aucklander an ordinary jib header. The Maritana was away first, and on crossing the line she was as far up to windward as she could get, and hoisting a big balloon jib, she soon cleared the flagship. The Pastime, with her owner at the helm, was close bshind, having crossed the line only 2oaeo after the firing of • the gun, and she also sent up her balloon jib, bb did the Waitangi, which got a very bad start, owing to Mr Logan, who was sailing her, being determined that she should be well inside the line. The Aucklander lost 3 mm 55sec in getting away, and the Maßcotte, which is usually smart at starting, was even worse, being 4min fiseo behind,, The Pastime tore along at a great rate iwhen she felt the southerly breeze, and soon displaced the Maritana, which was last. When the boats disappeared from view round Point Halswell, about four miles from the Queen's Wharf, the Waitangi w&b second, two minutes behind Pastime, and a similar distance in front of Mascotte. On the beat to Worser's Bay the Waitangi exhibited splendid pace, and, overhauling the Pastime, assumed a strong load, the Mascotte alao comftig up and passing Paßtime. On the run to . the buoy off Petone, the Waitangi increased her lead, while the Maritana slightly improved her position. The first round was completed as follows :— Waitangi, lhr 57min SOseo; Mascofcte, 2hr 9min; Maritana, 2hr 15min sseo; Pastime, 2hr 19min. On the run to Worser Bay for the second time, the Waitangi increased her lead by about six minutes, and, sailing splendidly, crossed the line an easy .winner at 4hr 59min 52sec. The Maacotte, which was three or four miles behind her, finished at shr 27min 29aec. The Pastime and Maritana finished clo3e together shortly before six o'clock, the former having the advantage. P Second - class Championship Yacht Eace, two and a half rating, and under five; first prize £50 and trophy, second £10; distance about twenty knots — Mr A. H. Turobull'3 liona, 4*3 rating, lmin 7860, 1. Mr T. G. Oaborne's Isca, •I*6 rating^ scr, 2. Atalanta (Napier), Waiwetu, Mahina and Mapu also started. This was a close raoe. The Atalanta (which had 6min 14bgc time allowance) completed the first round at lhr 3Bunn, followed by the Rona at lhr 39min, the Isca at lhr 39min ssec, aud the Mapu at lhr 42mia. From this out the Atala.nl a maintained her lead, and crosßed the lino at ..4hr Sinin, exactly a minute in front of the Eoua, which was twelve minutes ahGad of the Isoa* The first prize waa awarded to the Eona, the Napier beat being disqualified for having carried a larger mainsail than she was rated. for. The third-cla9B yacht raco was won hy f.lio TfiH. SftVoral other even! s for smaller

oraffc were' also 1 got off tfwnng the day The handicap race «or all yaahts, ixrespgspeotive of eizs, will be Bailed on Saturday, over the championship couraeywhen it ia probable that all the yachts talttngpart in to-day's regatta 1 wilPeompete.