CHAMPIONSHIP YACHT RACE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXII, Issue I, 7 January 1899, Page 16

CHAMPIONSHIP YACHT RACE.

AN INTERCOLONIAL CONTEST. MERCIA WINS THE FIRST RACE. The first of three races to decide the intercolonial championship for onerater yachts took place in Auckland on December 29 in connection with the North Shore Native Regatta. The event excited a considerable amount

of interest, yachts having been brought over from Sydney and Adelaide to contest the championship against the local boats. The race resulted in an easy win for Mercia, a new boat built by Logan Bros., of Auckland. She went to the front in the beat out into the Channel the first time round, and was never caught again, finishing ten minutes ahead of Laurel, Messrs C. and W. Bailey’s new one-rater. The following were the starters:- —

Alma (W. Bailey : nd Lowe), Bronzewing IV. (S. Hordern, jun., of Sydney), Geisha (Rymill Brothers, Adelaide), Laurel (C. Bailey, junr.), Mahoe (F. and B. Stonex), Maka Maile (J. Clare), Mercia (Logan Brothers), Vanora (F. Trice), Waitekauri (C. Collings). The course was from the flagship round mark-boat near Stanley Point, thence round mark off Hobson’s Bay, thence round mark in Rangitoto Channel, finishing off flagship; twice round. Distance. 18 miles. Mr Alex. Alison

acted as starter, and Mr F. W.Coombes as timekeeper. by 1(1 minutes from Laurel. The race resulted: Mercia, 5h 8m 45s 1 Laurel, 5h 18m 50s 2 Alma, 5h 25m 3 Maka Maile was fourth, finishing at 5h 36m 255, and Waitekauri, Geisha, and Bronzewing finished in that order some time after. Mahoe and Vanora did not finish.