LYTTELTON REGATTA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6065, 31 December 1897, Page 3

LYTTELTON REGATTA.

NOTES AjS'D ANTICIPATIONS. [By Spinnaker Boom.] Of the many successful Lyttelton regattas that have been held during the past ten years 1 ., cannot; recall one where the surrounding circumstances gave greater promise of success than that which will inaugurate the year 1898. Dining the forty-eight years that have elapsed since the first regatta, was held a vast change has been wrought in' the programme, and now, apart from the usual rowing and sailing events, the "side-shows" at Lyttelton of themselves form a day's sight-seeing of a novel and unique description. The committee has this year been exceedingly successful in procuring an old trading brig to " despatch " by means of the explosion. With the view of further increasing the sjjectacular effect the old vessel is to be set on fire some time before the hour appointed for the "blow-up," which is to take place at three o'clock. The site of the explosion is out towards the reef. Then again a number of items intended to give amusement have been introduced, and there are swimming races in the dock and sports in London Street. In the evening a fireworks display, on a considerably larger scale than has hitherto been attempted is to be held. These displays had drifted into the unhappy position of requiring either ending cr mending. The latter course has been followed, and a large quantity of fireworks of a high order have been imported from America. It is doubtful if so many rowing entries have ever before been received for any New Zealand regatta. In three of the events no less than nine boats will compete, while in two others there are to be eight starters, and in no event are there less than five. The sailing events, too, are well supplied with contestants. Taking the first-class yacht race, Mascotte, the. old-time champion, will make her first public appearance in a new style of rig. She has been provided with hard wood shear legs to carry a huge lug sail, in place of the ordinary pole mast with mainsail and gaff. She will spread considerably less sail, which has reduced her rating 'very considerably, but I am somewhat dubious about the success of the alteration. I wish I could express a con-, trary opinion, for Mr. J". Sinclair and his fellow owners of Mascotte are certainly deserving of reward for the enterprise they have shown with a boat which many good judges think has had her day. I expect to see Mascotte go a shade better to windward, but my tip for the First-class Yacht Race is Pastime, and I expect Onawe to get second money. The secondclass race is this year a handicap event, and the good "field" of seven will start. If the breeze is strong Zephyr, or rather Zephyr Cruiser, as her owner now wishes her known, should win. I have bees permitted to see the handicaps, and I regard them as rather in favour of the larger boats if the sea is high and the wind strong, and very much in favour of the limit class if the .water is light, say with a nor'wester or southerly. What should prove one of the best races of the day is the tworater class. Two practically new and untried boats will compete against Waterwitch and Bettina. Here again the result should be very much dependent upon the condition of the water, but with an ordinary north-easter I expect Waterwitch to finish first and Bettina second, while if the sea is smooth the finish should lie between Partiki and Waterlily. Eespecting the rowing, space forbids me going into detail, but I may mention that, owing to the unknown quality of many of the competitors, including the visitors, of course, and the conjecture that at Akaroa and Little River the results did not quite show the correct merits of the crews engaged, it is very difficult to name the winner in many of the events. Add to this the prospect of alteration in several of the crews, and the position is not improved. Briefly, then, I mention the following as likely winners : — First-class Yaciits— Pastime 1, Onawe J. Handicap Yuehts— Zephyr Cruiser 1, Kaiora 2, Venture or Kawhai 3. Two-raters— -IV n terwitcli 1, Bettina -. Senior Double Sculls— Wairewa 1, Avon 2. Senior Pairs — Canterbury 1, Union -. Youths* Sculls — Akaroa 1, Avou 2. Youths' Pairs— Akaroa 1, Avon 2, Lyttelton 5. Mairlou Sculls — Wairewa 1, Canterbury "J. Maideu Pairs— Lytteltou 1, AVairewaS, Unions. Junior Piurs— Lyttelton 1, AVairewaiJ, Uuiou 3. Junior Sculls— Wairewa 1, Akaroa 2. SiDffle Sculls— Samuels (Avon) 1, Kecil (AVnirewn) 2, Daly (Canterbury) 3. Youths' Single Sculls— AVhelch (Akaroa) ], Sinc'air (Lyttelton) 2, Bush (A.yon) 3. There is little doubt that both Star and Port Chalmers will be represented by men quite capable of winning races in the company that they will meet. Star is to be represented by Wiggins and Pownall, while the members of the champion fours of the colony are representing Port Chalmers in several of the events, even in the Maiden Sculls ; but my reason for not selecting any of these admittedly sterling oarsmen is because I think they are scarcely yet sufficiently accustomed to the class of boat in which they will compete at Lyttelton.