YACHTING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 277, 27 November 1935, Page 4

YACHTING

(By

“Mainsail.’’

The Wanganui Sailing Club’s final race for the Kutu Cup was decided last Saturday. Kio was the first boat home, followed by Eve and Neptune. Th-e wind, however, a liuht south-westerly, was not favourable for racing and on oc easions almost died away completely. Racing under such conditions was trying and boats’ crews were called upon to avail themselves of even the slightest puffs of wind. Sailing is a popular river sport and members of the Wanganui Club arc as keen as ever. In addition to the active participants in the races, usually held on a Saturday afternoon, the club has a large number of honorary members. A visit to the club-liou.sc prior to a race reveals a scene of much activity and the start of a contest is always interesting to watch. Apart from those who belong to the club, the races are usually witnessed by a large number of interested spectators. So far as th-e final for the Kutu Cup is concerned, Kio put up a good race and deserved her victory. She sailed well and was nicely handled. Her crew, who are novices this season, are to be congratulated on their snowing, bailing calls for skill at all times. It also provides a good .study i'n extremes. Beating up river against a. strong ebb and a stiff breeze is apt tc tax the capacity of even the most experienced yachtsmen. On the other hand, sailing under conditions such as those which prevailed last Saturday when the wind was too light for fast movement- required skill of a different kind Eve, which gained secund place in the same race, also deserved her win. She had a difficult task in picking up c-n the limit boat, but her crew took every advantage of the exasperating wind. Neptune, the third boat home, made a valiant effort and put up a creditable performance. When the race started it did not seem as though she would gain much footing, but her big sail area served her well and when running before the wind, up-river, she secured a lead over the remainder cf '■be contestants. Before the commencement of last Saturday’s rate, points stood as follows: Neptune 14; Eve 9; Avalon 9. I’he close nature of the latter two boats caused much speculation as tu which would gain second place. Neptune seemed marked as the winner, hard sailing and good seamanship were probably the leading factors in her ultimate success. She emerged from ’he Kutu Cup series with .18 points. The second and third placing in the series were Eve 14, and Avalon 11. Eve certainly sailed well in all three races and gave Neptune a certain amount of concern. Avalon in gaining third place was possibly unlucky. In the last race of the series she had trouble with her spinnaker. It is doubtful whether auy of the boats participating in the Saturday afturnoPn races have reached the top of their I’orm. Tne season as yet is much too early for the lirst-elass racing which only comes alter care and practice. The beginning of the. new year should witness better racing. By then all the crews will have settled down tc- the season’s work and when the autumn comes again splendid yachting should be witnessed on the lower reaches of the Wanganui River. Keen yachtsmen welcomed last Sunday’s strong wind. Conditions were the- reverse to those prevailing c-u the previous day. By 1G a.m. half a gale was blowing and a number of boats, already down at the South Beach, spent an exciting day. They were well reefed down, which made sailing easier, and on occasions seemed literally to leap from crest to crest of the waves wliich % iormed in the river when the tide was on the ebb. Running before the wind, tire little craft often reached almost incredible speeds for, at times the velocity of the wind was estimated at 40 miles per hour. During the week-end the club captain called members together and requested co-operation in the matter of taking care of club and private property. The necessity of such care cannot be stressed too much. Since its inception the club has accumulated many valuable assets by way of material. It is to tiie advantage of all concerned that this property be properly cared for. YachAig in Port Nicholson this year is said by competent authorities to be of a higher standard than ever before, states the Evening Post. Whether this is so or nc-t will be demonstrated as far as the X class fleet is concerned next. Saturday, on the following Sunday, and in the following week-end, when the combined Campbell Cup contost and Sanders Cup trials will be sailed. Entries for the contest closed last Saturday. Prc-bable starters will be .Kitty, Lavina, and June, of the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club; Tassic, Jannet, Idono, and Peggy, ot the Evans Bay Yacht and Motor-boat Club; Monica and Miss Josephine, cf the Paremata Boating Clubs; and Kia Ora, of the Plimmerton Boating Club. The number of starters will be a record for Wellington Sanders Cup trials. The announcement that Miss Kitty Mackav, former Australian 100 yards and 220 yards free-style swimming champion, is to pay more attention to her swimming this season has aroused much gratification in Australian swimming circles. Miss Mackay has already struck good form this season, having lowered her own record of 31 3-ssec. for 55 yards by l-ssec, and having recorded 66 l-ssec. for the 100 yards distance. The lack of a good distance swimmer has been keenly felt in New South Wales, and it is expected that Miss Mackay will fill this vacancy. If she continues to improve she is expected to be an Olympic hope.