YACHTING NOTES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 279, 25 November 1936, Page 5

YACHTING NOTES

KUTU CUP SERIES FINAL RACE HELD. TROPHY TO VALETA. (By "Mains’l.") The Wanganui Sailing Club held the tinal race of the Kutu Cup senes last Saturday afternoon. Favourable conditions obtained in the Wanganui River, although the race was not as exciting as the previous Saturday and slower times were recorded. A steady westerly breeze was of considerable assistance, but on the homeward run a strong ebb retarded the pace. All boats were away in good time and made a pretty picture as they tacked on the first run down to the bottom buoy. Valina and Venus were the limit boats, followed by Breeze and Rio, Sunshine, Velma, Avalon, Neptune Spray, Valeta, Eve and Merlin. When all boats were well under way it became evident that both Rio and Breeze were in good tr m and sailing well. Making the best of their 13 minutes’ handicap they went round the bottom buoy in good style and lost no time in setting their spinnakers, i Other contests were not long in following and running before a good wind spinnakers were used to advantage. Rio and Breeze held the lead and were first round the top buoy, but by this time the rema nder were fairly close up. Frank Bishop's Spray was sailing well up to her form of last season, but Avalon, Eve and Valeta appeared as though they were in need of a heavier breeze. Neptune was sailing well, however, and Velma was also putting up a good performance. After the second round Merlin, which made her first appearance last Saturday, sailed a splendid race and on the last run home overhauled all but Rio. Merlin, incidentally, started second from scratch and gained the fastest time, covering the six miles, which was divided into three laps, in one hour, 33 minutes. * ♦ ♦ • During the latter stages of the race a merry mix-up occurred at the top buoy, Neptune's tiller unshipping and causing Valeta to foul the buoy. This was unfortunate, but was unavoidable. Rio, the first boat home, was well handled by J. Inder and his young for-ard hand Arm it, who is a good lad and a keen learner. Merlin was second in the race and Spray gained third place. After an interesting series, Valeta, with 14 points to her credit, won the trophy. Eve and Rio were equal for second place with 11 points each and Spray came third with 8 points. Valeta has sailed well this season and A. Deepness is to be given credit for his good seamanship. She obtained first place when the series opened four weeks ago and came second last week. Eve, which won the second race of thp series, has also performed well this season. Considerable credit is due to Merlin and her youthful, skipper-owner-builder, F. B. Bethwaite. She is the latest addition to the Wanganui Sailing Club's fleet of amateur-built boats and put up a creditable showing on Saturday. Bethwaite, jnr., was at the tiller and handled her to advantage. Rogerson, his for’ard hand, did his work well. This partnership may cause other boats a certain amount of concern this season. Rogerson lost no time in setting his spinnaker and in every way both boys proved themselves capable. • • * * Early prospects of another dismal day at Paremata were dispelled about 10 o'clock last Sunday week and racing was enjoyed under pleasant southeast conditions with just a full-sail breeze blowing, says an exchange. The hoodoo, which has cast its spell over the Takapunas was again in evidence and once more a couple of capsizes put an inopportune end to their race. Noleen and Adair were the victims, and Noleen in particular seems to be having more than her fair share of bad luck this season. So far a mast and boom have been carried away, and now a caps’ze has been added to her misfortunes. Ted Shaw, at the tiller for the first time in his recent purchase, experienced a moment of uncertainty when off the wind and in consequence had a bath. Watt! came round from Plimmerton to compete, but the capsizes robbed her of an interesting tryout with h°r rivals in the local cluo.