Wellington-Akaroa Race A Success

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30959, 15 January 1966, Page 11

Wellington-Akaroa Race A Success

TN spite of adverse weather conditions and a number of unfortunate references to the ill-fated Wellington-Lyttelton race in 1951, the organisers of the Wellington • Akaroa yacht race can look back with the greatest satisfaction on an achievement which could become a milestone in the history of New Zealand ocean racing. At one time it seemed that at least 30 Wellington yachts would enter and, as Wellington was the start of the race, it seemed reasonable to expect the majority of entrants to come from that area. But the number of Wellington entrants dwinded to five as more yachting wives were acquainted with the disastrous results of the race held 15 years ago. The Akaroa Cruising Club Is only of recent formation and the ocean race was the outcome of discussions between club members 18 months ago. The club has freely acknowledged the assistance it has received from more experienced clubs but no outside assistance could compare with the time devoted by the club’s officials in insuring that the programme ran smoothly. It was soon realised that there was no reason at all to have a repeat performance of the 10 lives lost in the Wellington-Lyttelton race. The rules laid down by the Royal Ocean Racing Club for ocean races are tough and comprehensive and the Akaroa Club consid-LEARN-TO-SWIM AT ST. ALBANS The St. Albans Amateur Swimming Club will begin its annual “learn-to-swim” week at the club baths next Monday, concluding the following Saturday. There will be no charge for admission but 6d for children and Is for adults will be charged for each lesson. The instruction times will be: Adults, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.; children, 11 am. to 12.30 p.m. The committee and members of the club will act as instructors

ered that if these were strictly observed, there was no reason to worry about possible fatalities. This confidence proved warranted. Although Takohe lost both its mainsail and its jib, it was never in any danger in the treacherous seas churned up by the strong south-westerly gale off Banks Peninsula. Calypso w'as second across the line and won the handicap, yet lost its jib during the race. It is hoped to hold the race every two years and, with the successful completion of this one, the entries for future races should be much greater. Only in two instances could the management of th 3 race have been improved, and neither applies to the running of the race itself. Spectators waiting at Akaroa were at the mercy of a continuing stream of rumours while there seemed no valid reason why the escort vessel, the motor cruiser Miranda, could not have been in direct radio contact with headquarters. This would certainly have lessened the perturbation of the wives and fiancees of the crews, who were waiting for their menfolk to arrive safely. The other improvement would be to set up a

genuine headquarters with special telephones and a staff to answer all inquiries about the state of the race by those interested in it, but unable to make the 50mile journey to Akaroa to see the finish. The headquarters used, the Bruce Hotel, did good work in this respect but licensed premises are busy enough without having to cope with a major event such as this. In two years’ time the race should not only be bigger, but also attract a larger number of spectators to Akaroa, and the detail of organisation can be expected to make a similar increase.