YACHTING.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1699, 15 March 1913, Page 3

YACHTING.

[By Mainseeet.]

ACROSS THE TASMAN SEA. i i Another Cup Challenger: Shamrock IV. It will be welcomo news to yachtsmen all over the world that Sir Thomas 1 Lipton has decided to once more try his luck with another Shamrock. Mr. Chas. Nicholson, o£ Gosport, England, is to build the vessel, which will be called Shamrock IV. They say a four-leayed Shamrock is lucky, so let us hope that the Shamrock IV will manage to do the trick, Ono thing is certain at any rate, that Sir Thomas will tarry the ' good wishes with him of every true sportsman for the plucky attempts he has made to win this coveted blue ribbon of the 6eas. The new vessel apparently will conform to'the terms of tho deed of gift, by which the challenging vessel has to sail to the port of the holder on her own bottom. This will mean, of course, that tho Shamrock IV will have to travel to New York on her own bottom, either under sail or under tow, as the cup is at present held in America by the New York I'acht Club. It is a severe handicap on the challenging boat, but it cuts both ways—once the cup is in our possession! It will bo remembered that the late Captain James Barr, who sailed so many of Lipton's boats for liini, and has sinco passed on one occasion was beaten by the American yacht by the narrow margin of only three seconds, so there is hope of victory for England yet. New Zealand to Australia: Ocean Race. Further nesv9 to hand this week informs us that Mr. Ernest Davis, the, promoter of the race, is leaving Sydney for Auckland this week. This will doubtless be the owner of the Auckland Viking, a very keen sport, and one who enjoys a good long stretch in the llauraki Gulf, perhaps better than anyone. Jyearly every, weekend the Viking goes to Kawuu- Island and back, a 'airly long distance for. a craft propelled by sail alone. She is sometimes joined by Ariki, Tlielma, aiul other boats. Doubtless, like Alexander, ho is "sighing far /fresh worlds to conquer," and a as he is a great believer in the Viking's seagoing abilities, he intends entering himself for this event. As at least a month will be required for the trip to and fro, the entries will probably not be large, but Sydney contains some keen sports, and doubtless they will be quite satisfied should the first entries from this side number only two or three lesscls. A Boat Harbour Bulletin, The Siren annexed tho P.N.Y.C. Ladies' Race on Saturday, sailed by Miss Chisliolm, Jlie Windward coming second. This is the j first appearance of the Siren in the winners' ranks this season. The Wellington Cruising Club held the third series' race on Saturday last, the Rona finishing iirst and the Ailsa second. The points for the - season are now as follow:—liona 11, White Heather 11, Ailsa 10, Kotiri 10. The last race of the series will take place to-day, and should be worth seeing. , Old.-hands- familiar, with the beach at' Clyde' Quay, and its fringe of boat sheds which occupied a position about the middle of tho present street, will remember tho late Mr. M. Clatworthy (killed in ail accident at Evans Bay last week), as one who took a keen interest' in sailing. Deceased was a keen competitor at the annual regattas, which in former times were open to all-comers, and usually sailed a clinker built sailing boat, '.lie built many boats of this nature when small.boat sailing was popular, and was an energetic, not to say fierce, competitor in some very ttrenuous tussles. "Mainsket" would like to remind yachtsmen and launch owners that it is in their interests to bestir themselves and secure the return of at least one or two members at the coming elections who favourably disposed towards yachting ai)d launching. At , present yachtsmen • are well represented by Mr., Renner, himself n yachtsman, and Mr. Hindmarsh, who has always boen a sympathetic supporter of vachting. Is not this a matter in which the Boat Harbour Committee might move? Yachtsmen have a lot of important interests at stake, and as the next election will bo not: till 1915, and in view of the crowded condition of tliq Boat Harbour, it would be as well to see that somo members at least are elected known to be favourably disposed to the yachtsmen's needs in Wellington.