AQUATICS

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 443, 19 January 1899, Page 7

AQUATICS

[By

Muritai. ]

The second series of races in connection with the Parnell Sailing Club was held on S turday afternoon, when a fine northerly breeze was blowing. I would like to suggest that in future these races be started punctually, and that the cou se be made a bit shorter. From three o’clock to fire or half-past is any amount long enough, and the boats would have a better chance of getting to the cruising grom ds before dark. The races were well contested, the event for yachts over 25ft being particularly so. The course for this race was from a mark in J udge’s Bay to a mark off Hobson Bay, thence out to black buoy near Rangitoto, back to starting point, twice round. Four boat s

competed, viz., Kotiri, Ida, Zinita, Aorere. It was a pretty start, the yachts being almost in line —Kotiri to windward, Zinita to leeward Kotiri was first round the Hobson Bay mark, and afterwards did better on the wind than her opponents. Ida, however, was in trouble with some of her head sail tackle, which lost her a lot of time. Kotiri was still in front at the Rangitoto mark, followed by Aorere, Ida, and Zinita. Spinnakers were then put out, but the leading boat was badly handicapped by a poor crew, the man at the tiller having on several occasions to leave his post and help with the handling. Kotiri was first to start on the second trip, with Aorere close on her stern —rather too close, as she took a piece out of Kotiri’s taffrail —Ida and Zinita next. Beating out in the Channel, Ida caught the leader, and running back Aorere also passed her. They finished —Ida, 6hr 15min 26sec; Aorere, 6hr 17min 26sec ; Kotiri, 6hr 17min 24sec ; Zinita, 6hr 19min 47sec. Ida, however, wins on the handicap, with Kotiri second, Zinita third, and Aorere fourth. In the first round the race for Patikis was close and interesting, but Messrs Dexter and Crozier’s little flyer, Rambler, was always handy, and increasing her lead in the second round, won by over smin from Ika, Boomerang third, about the same distance from Ika. Zoe and Hazel were the other starters. Mahoe was a lot too good for the other starters in the race for boats 20ft and under, and she finished nearly smin ahead of Waitekauri; then followed Ida, Bell Bird having dropped out. Only three started in the race for yachts under 25ft, viz., Corinna Tangaroa, and Rogue. The first-mentioned sailed exceptionally well, and beat Tangaroa by nearly Bmin, Rogue not finishing. The second boat wins with her handicap, but Corinna has protested against the winner for sailing the wrong course. Three rowing events were on the programme of the New Zealand Natives’ Association sports on Saturday last. In the race for Maiden Gigs, one mile, four crews turned out —West End, Waitemata, St. George’s, and Auckland. For half a mile the crews were well together, but shortly afterwards West End drew away from the others and finally won comfortably from the St. George’s crew, with Auckland third, and Waitemata fourth. The Maiden Gig for ere vs under 10st, one mile, resulted in a win for the Auckland crew, who beat St. George’s handsomely, with the West End boat coming in third. The Ladies’ Pair-oar R-.ce, half a mile, was won by the Misses Evers. Mr C. Bailey’s 1 rater laurel, winner of the Intercolonial Championship, has been purchased by a Sydney gentleman.