AQUATICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 842, 26 April 1906, Page 11

AQUATICS.

(By ;

“The Reefer.”)

We have, grown accustomed tp. bad weather on Saturdays during'this season, and last week was no? exception to the rule. Unfortunately for. the N.Z.' Power Boat Association, they had a big race on their programme, and the weather did its best to mar this, although bad as _it was it - could not deter the officials from sticking to their : duties. There was a stiff breeze blowing, with frequent rain squalls, and this made a nasty jump of a sea. Naturally many • of the small launches could not face it, and the result was that, instead of a record ■number of starters, there were more absentees than those that turned out. Notwithstanding this drawback the racing was exceedingly keen, and the handicappers are entitled to a word of warm praise for the even nature of their adjustments. The race, which was for a marble clock presented by Captain Streater, was run in the three heats and a final. The first heat for Class B boats attracted five starters, and this fell to the scratch boat, Regal, which finished 61sec ahead of Tempest (18min), with Matareka (4min) third, Huia and Napier not finishing. For the Class C heat a quartette turned out, and the result was an exceedingly close one. Esma (3%min) just scraped home from Neno (4min 49sec) by the narrow margin of lOsec, with Edna (smin) two minutes further back, and Ventura last. For the Class A heat two express boats faced the starter, these being Grey Witch (6min 57sec) and Slim Jim (14min). This proved a splendid race, but the Witch gradually overhauled the leader and won by llsec amidst much excitement. This left the three winners to contest the final, and the handicaps were made by Mr. Bagley as follows: —Grey Witch scratch, Regal 17min 4sec, Esma 36min 22sec, the course being shortened to seven knots. The scratch boat was a minute late in starting, but when once going she settled down to her task in fine style. As the two rear boats closed up on the leader the excitement increased. All three boats were driven for all they were worth, the spray flying in clouds as their bows drove into a sea. The issue remained in doubt until close home, when Regal drew up to the leader, and, getting by, won by llsec. The Witch, although travelling in great style in the heavy sea, was never able to quite make up her loss of time at the start, and she finished 31sec behind Esma. Regal therefore wins the clock, Mr. James Reid, the

owner, being heartily cheered at the finish. Captain Streater and Messrs. Whitson, Spinks and Bagley were the officers of the day. The s.s. Pitoitoi acted as flagship, and was liberally patronised.

The season is fast drawing to a close, and many yachts will shortly be laid up. On the whole there has been an overdose of windy weather which has somewhat spoilt the enjoyment of cruising. The most pleasant part of the season was at Easter, when even the croakers had nothing to cavil at.

The well-known yawl Volunteer is now on her way to Fiji, and her arrival may be heard of very shortly. Mr. Hennings intends to use the yacht chiefly for cruising purposes, and as she is to be stationed permanently at the Islands, I suppose we have seen the last of our biggest pleasure yacht.

Stanbury and Towns are to row another match for the championship of the world in June next.

The eight-oar championship of the Commonwealth will be decided next month on the Swan River, West Australia.

An unusual amount of attention (says the English “ Yachtsman” in its issue of the Bth ultimo) is being given to ocean racing in America. The Trans-Pacific race from the Golden Gate to Hawaii will be one of the events of the year on the Pacific coast; whereas on the Atlantic coast the Brooklyn or Bermuda ocean race for a cup presented by Sir Thomas Lipton will absorb attention. The trophy which Sir Thomas has presented to the Brooklyn Y.C. is a handsome 500-dollar cup. The race is open to the world for cruising sail craft not measuring more than 50 feet extreme length and any rig. The course to be covered is 650 miles, and the boats will be sailed entirely by Corinthians. The maximum crew is eight men and the minimum six men. We notice in the conditions of the race that the race committee do not consider a boat whose overhangs exceed 25 per cent, of her o.a. lengths as a seaworthy type, and acting on this any entry judged unseaworthy will be rejected. Racing craft temporarily disguised as cruisers will not be allowed to enter. The start will be on May 26th.

The last yacht race of the season on the Waitemata will take place on Saturday next, when the North Shore Yacht Club will hold a contest for the Dunning Cup and other trophies. I understand there is a prospect of some eight yachts of' the Speedwell class facing the .starter, and if this is so then the race should prove one of the most interesting experienced during the season.. This race, by the way, will be the only one the. North Shore Club has sailed this season, but next year there will probably be another tale to tell.