OCEAN YACHT RACE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1068, 6 March 1911, Page 9

OCEAN YACHT RACE.

9 OVER THE STRAIT. TROPHY AVON BY VIKING. The first big ocean raeo under the auspices of the Port Nicholson Yacht Club was begun on Saturday afternoon. A good fret.li south-east breeze prevailed, some of the yachts having "tucks" in. The course was to Port Underwood and back, a total distance of about 100 miles. The result of the race was;— Viking (shr.) 1 Ngairn. Mlhr.) 2 White Heather (scr.) 3 The finishing times of the yachts were: White Heather, 7hr. 21min.; N'gaira, Ohr. fjinin.; Viking, Ohr. llmiu. At two minutes past two all the yachts crossed the line at the bang of the gun. The crews, it was noticed, were well wrapped up, all apparently expecting a rough handling outside. Mahina was the only yacht entered which did not start. The start was witnessed by a gcod number of people. Siren and- lolanthe got across to Port Underwood, but could not find the mark boat, and so they went about and returned to the Boat Harbour, arriving there at 4hr. iSmin. and shr. -iOmin. yesterday respectively. In the opening stago the Windward took the lead,- with White Heather second. Siren third, Viking fourth, lolanthe fifth, and Ngaira last. At Point Jerningham the positions altered slightly. White - Heather taking first place, the other yachts remaining in practically the same position. When off Scatoun, Viking was delayed for some time, us one of her jib sheets carried away. White Heather and Viking made Chaffer's Passage in one board, but the other boats were not so fortunate, and had to make two. White Heather and Viking: cleared the heads in the lead, Windward, Siren, and lolanthe following, with Ngaira still well in the rear. When near Sinclair Head, AVindward and White Heather went ' off by themselves, the former making splendid sailing in the rip. After leaving it behind. Viking held the lead, followed by Siren, lolanthe, and Ngaira. Here Siren slowly passed Viking,'but 'lolanthe rtmoined in the same position. At this stage the sea was by no means a 'light one, and most of the boats shipped a good d"al of water. Here lolanthe was deftly handled, and made exceptionally good weather of it, considering her size. She hung on to the Viking from Sinclair Head until 9 o'clock, and Siren still keeping well to the front. Thick weather nowset in, the hills beginning to fade away as the mist came down. The haze mad-s it very difficult for the boats to pick tho entrance at Port Underwood, and Siren hung back to let Viking take the lead. Then Siren and lolanthe followed, close, but when near the entrance the crew of the Viking were compelled to put out their lamp, which was casting a shadow, making navigation at the cntranc; rather, dangerous. Siren and'lcilanthe lost sight of Viking, so they hung about until 10 p.m.. and then returned home, arriving, as above. stated. At 10.30 p.m. Viking had rounded Mr. Jackson's launch. About an hour and a half later White Heather arrived, and rounded the launch. Tha crew of the "Heather" asked the crew of the Viking if they would stop the night and start next day, and this course was agreed upon. Early in the morning the launch went "in search of the other yachts, but could not discover them, and .so returned. Ngaira arrived at Port Underwood at' Thr. Smin. a.m. on Sunday, after spending a comfortable-night outside. Ngaira left for home at ten minutes to 12, and at 10 past 12 Viking also left, and was followed, in 15 minutes, .by White Heather. The wind was light in the harbour, but the sea at the entrance 'was very rough. On the return Viking kept with the. "Heather'- for a good-while, hut then gradually draw ; away. Viking kept on, with Ngaira l away-to leeward of 'them.' About-10 miles from the Terawhiti rip Ngaira showed her seagoing abilities, as the sea and wind were very rough, and she passed Viking at Sinclair Head. At Wellington entrance Neaira had a lead of about-225 minutes. On the wav up to the finishing lino Viking gained a good deal c£ lost ground. . .White Heather receives a trophy valued at .£5 55.. for being the first yacht home. The Windward, it is understood, is sheltering in Tory Channel. Quite a large number of people assembled at the end of the Clyde Quay Wharf to witness the arrival of the last yachts. As they crossed -the line each was given three cheers.