YACHTING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VI, Issue 289, 6 February 1896, Page 5

YACHTING.

Another Auckland Regatta has come and gone, but the event, so far as yachting was concerned, was somewhat marred by the light changeable wind in the morning, and although the breeze freshened in the afternoon, the leading boats had all the best of it, as they got the wind first. The Flora was flagship, and it is some time since such a crowd was seen aboard on Regatta Day. When the race 7-rating and over crossed the line a light easterly wind was blowing, which gave a beat down the harbour. Volunteer, Viking, Aorere, Halcyon, started, and the former disappeared behind the heads first, and lead round Tiri, Viking and Halcyon next. Aorere, who had been well to windward but was becalmed for some time, being last. Un the run home the boats astern brought a good breeze with them, and caught on the Volunteer, but the latter boat increased her lead in the breeze and crossed the line 18min ahead of Viking, Aorere, who was rapidly overhauling Halcyon, being last. The time allowances were : — Volunteer scratch, Viking B|min, Halcyon 48min 41 see, Aorere 54min 41 sec. Protests have been entered against the two small boats for wrongful entry, but if these are dismissed I think Aorere will just about win on time allowance. Volunteer was well handled by her owner, Mr T. Henderson, and she looked a perfect picture when sailing up the harbour with every stitch of canvas set. The 5-rater event would have been much more interesting but for the unsteady breeze. After a foul at the starting line, caused by Ida not going about when on the wrong tack, the boats, with the exception of Thetis, got away to a pretty good start. The steel yacht was about five minutes late, which spoilt her chance, and she was never afterwards in it. Moana, getting a lucky streak of wind outside, rounded the Rangitoto mark 14min ahead of the others, but before Rangitoto was cleared she was becalmed, and her opponents were on top of her. Beating with a good steady breeze out to the Brown’s Island mark, Moana rounded that mark 6min ahead of Ida, Rangatira and Ladye Wilma next. This stretch of about five miles was the fairest test in the race. At the North Head the boats were again becalmed, and came in a bunch once more, but Moanagot the first of the steady northerly wind which sprang up, and never left her chance in doubt, winning by twelve minutes; then followed Ida, Ladye Wilma, Rangatira, and Thetis, who had picked up a lot. Of course in the morning it was any boat’s race, but in the steady breeze I think they finished according to their sailing abilities, that is with the exception of Thetis. Mahaki, Rarere, Huia, Zinita, Daisy, Mizpah, and Mabel started in the 2£rater event, but this race was also spoilt, Rarere and Mabel being becalmed under the Heads for about half an hour, and all the boats suffered more or less from the same complaint Mahaki reached home first by five minutes, the centreboarder Mizpah, which sailed surprisingly well, beating Daisy on the post for second place. Mahaki is without doubt the smartest little craft ever seen in our harbour.

Dolphin won the fishing boat race, Rogue easily won the cruisers’ race, Orakei the scow race, Harvest Home the cutter race on time allowance.

Logan Bros, had a big day out, boats built by them finishing as follows : 5raters, Moana 1, Ladye Wilma 3; 2|raters, Mahaki 1, Mizpah 2 ; fishing boats, Dolphin 1. At a meeting of the Regatta Committee on Tuesday night Aorere was disqualified for wronful entry and Halcyon for crossing the line before time ; therefore Volunteer takes the prize. On Saturday last two races were held under the management of the Auckland Yacht Club, viz., for 5-raters and 2|raters. A good steady northerly breeze was blowing. In the first mentioned event Moana, Thetis, Ida, Ladye Wilma, and Rangatira started. Ida had the best of the start, crossing the line (so I am told) 4sec before time. Moana was last round the Judge’s Bay mark, having been blanketed all the way down. Beating across to North Head Ladye Wilma, who sailed splendidly all the race, walked away from Ida, Moana edging out to windward of the lot. In the Channel Ida and Moana had a luffing match, which let Ladye Wilma get well away,

and although Moana passed her and reached home 2min Bsec before her smaller rival she lost by 4sec. Dr. Coates’ win was a popular one, and he was loudly cheered. His boat was built last season by Logan Bros. Ida came third, Rangatira and Thetis next. Mizpah, Rarere, Zinita, Huia, and Mabel started for the 2A-rater race, Mahaki being aground at Ponsonby. The centreboarder Mizpah was a lot too good for her opponents on the wind, and Rarere only led her by a few lengths when they passed the wharf on the way up to the Arawata. Rounding this mark, however, Rarere lost her advantage, and Mizpah crossed the line only 2sec. ahead, after a very exciting finish, the others being about a mile astern.