THE SMALL CLASSES WILL PREDOMINATE. FROSTBITES IN FAVOUR

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 218, 13 September 1940, Page 11

THE SMALL CLASSES WILL PREDOMINATE. FROSTBITES IN FAVOUR

It is generally conceded that the coining season will be one for the small classes, although it is surprising how many of the larger yacnts will be afloat with scratch crews. The motor boat fleet, always in the hands of more mature men, are more troubled with the scarcity of petrol permits than crews, for the average motor yacht can be run by two or three at a pinch. If circumstances permit a more liberal allowance for motor craft, this branch of the sport will be afloat in fairly large numbers. Many optimistic owners are getting their boats ready, but the majority are making no preparations, waiting for some announcement on the fuel question. No petrol restrictions trouble the owners of • Idle Alongs, Silver Ferns, 14 or 18-footers, and fully 75 per cent of these classes and 100 per cent in the Frostbites are sure to be in commission. The Frostbites are gaining in favour each month. Designed by Mr. Jack Brooke, of Narrow Neck, the well-known amateur designer of many good small craft, the Frostbites now total over 60. The Tamaki Club is laying itself out to foster this class on the southern side of the harbour, by arrangement with the Wakatere Club. At the race last Saturday 19 boats competed. It is hoped to make this up to 25 or more by the time the summer racing starts. The present series of races will carry on till Labour Day. when a spell of a month will be called, ijfter which time the summer fixtures wi4 be arranged at weekly or fortni(\tly intervals. The growth of this class is really phenomenal. If it is taken up in the South with the same energy, it is possible that _ when better times come interprovincial racing may be arranged. The Wakatere Club has a lead of about 150 points over the Tamaki Club in the interclub contest for the Warwick Cup, and cannot be beaten. While Wakatere members have had two seasons to learn their boats' best qualities, the Tamaki skippers are all this season's recruit® with two exceptions. A New Jellicoe Boat. It must not be forgotten that, thanks to W. Rogers and crew of Caress, Auckland holds the Sanders Cup after a lapse of 11 years. In the hope of competing in the trials and possibly the contest itself, Sam Mason, of Stanley Bay, has built a new 14ft Jellicoe class boat at his home. She has been measured as she progressed and complies with the restrictions, but has not yet been finally passed. Regret was expressed at the Devonport Yacht Club's annual meeting on Monday at the retirement of the late commodore, Mr. Humphrey Duder. Under his able management and with the support of the other officers and committee, the club has made great strides in the past three years. The financial position has been improved over £200, while the slipways, this club's best asset, are in good order. The Royal Akarana Club will hold their 47th annual meeting next Wednesday. This club's winter series of races for the dinghies class, now in its fifth year, has proved very popular and will conclude on Labour week-end. The Takapuna. Richmond and Ponsonby Clubs will hold their annual meetings next week, also the Otahuhu and Kohi Clubs. At each meeting, the question of how many racing fixtures will be held next season _is sure to be under serious consideration. So far, the clubs that have held their annual meetings propose to carry on much as-usual, recognising, of course, that entries in the larger classes will be drastically curtailed. In spite of this, Speedwell predicts that all of the clubs catering for the centreboard and small keel elasses will be able to carry on much as usual, for where the owners or even all the crew have enlisted, as in many cases they have done, there are always younger men to put the boat into commission and to carry on the racing.