YACHTING

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 57, 1 December 1926, Page 8

YACHTING

(By

"Nereus.")

The Sanders Cup Trials. Now that three out of the six trials, which it is proposed should be held to enable the selectors to choose the yacht and crew which will represent Wellington in the Sanders Cup contest, have been carried out, speculation is rife as to what will be their decision. The position at present is that Peggy has won two trials, while All Black has won the other. This does not matter much, however, and it would seem that the selectors are faced with what might be described as a very hazardous task. If they could forsee what the weather will be at Lyttelton when the contest is held, then they would have some guide as to what boat to send down there. Peggy seems to have proved herself to be unbeatable in light weather, while it is obvious that in heavy weather she is practically useless. On the other hand, All Black and Wellesley are dependable in heavy weather, though they do not come up to Peggy’s standard when the soa is calm and the breeze is light. Thus the choice seems to be more or less of a gamble, and it is doubtful whether the other three trials which are to be held will help the selectors to a very great degree. At present all one can do is to wait, and see. The Tasman Cup.

It was onlj - last year that delegates representing the Auckland, Wellington, Hawke’s Bay, and Otago Yacht Associations met and discussed the conditions for holding races for the cup offered by Sir Joseph Ward, remarks a writer in the “Otago Daily Times.” As the outcome of that conference the cup was definitely allotted to the six-metre class for inter-provincial contests. 'When Sir Joseph offered the cup in 1923, his idea was that it should be competed for annually by boats representing New Zealand and Australia, thus bringing about inter-colonial yachting contests. The Australian clubs, however, were not keen on the six-metre class, preferring their own 23ft. centre-board class and the matter was left in the hands of the New Zealand chibs to decide, with the above result. So far as tho actual conditions for cup races are concerned, these have not vet been drawn up. There is every prospect ot a contest taking place in Auckland in 1927, between Mana, representing, Wellington, and probable Del ville. representing ~nd. Tlie former does not come no to the six-metre measurements, and it has been suegested that, in order to. get the class going. Mana should be given a handicap to make up the between her and. a six-metre boat V. hen once tho class is storied it . s thou? t six-metre boats will be built in the various main centres in New Zealand, and vaehting contests for tho Tasman Cup held annually.

Jottincs from Other Centres. According to “Spindrift.” commenting on the opening of the Auckland season in the "New Zealand Herald ’’ interest in the once popular 14ft. Jellieoe boats appear to be waning m Auckland. Now that Avalon will probably not be put into commission this season, he says, the prospects of the Jellieoe class do not appear to be too bright. Or course Idler. Joan and Iron Duke still race as Jellieoe boats, and later on they may be put into commission. At the opening of the Auckland yachting season an experiment was tried in starring the races, five kerosene tins painted a bright red being used instead of flairs. According to bpindrift, these could be picked up at any angle, and. though a little small, they were a great improvement on the .flags. Jhe idea is good, he says, and if shapes a little larger than the kerosene tins could be procured, no one would have any reason to complain about the system of starting from the tower on the Kings Wharf. . > At a recent meeting.of the Otago As. soeiation, it was decided to write to the five affiliated clubs pointing out that .£75 would lx? required to send the Otago boat and crew to Lyttelton to compete in tho Sandors Cup contest. Each club is to ho supplied wilh subscription cards, nnd will be asked to assist. Some discussion took place at a. recent meeting of tho Dingo Association on the advisability of sending an Dingo juvenile crow to Lyttelton to comiiete in the Cornwell Cup contest. During the discussion the question of the cost of the proposition was considered, but it was eventually decided that the association should bear . the expense of sending the crow, ns it believed it to lx> in the host interests of tho sport to encourage hoys. A plea for youth is made by “Rudder,” writing in the "Otago - Daily

Times. ’ In discussing th* prospects of the fourteen footer Heather he suggests that a more adventurous course should bo adopted and that one of th® younger lads should be given a chance at the helm. “Young Jim Thomson,” ho says, "is attached to Heather’s crew and is the making of a brilliant skipper. He is a lad who sails boats because he loves the sport; lie has skill and nerve, and is the worthy son of a father who. in his day, was in th® front rank of our racing skippers. With Ihomson at the helm, Booth in charge ' of for’ard, and Dawson amidships. Heather would come into the front rank, or something would break.” The Flight of the Avalon.

. writing in the Auckland Btar,” says that keen disappointment was felt in Auckland yachting circles when it was made known that the Avalon would not be racing this season, or at all events not at present. The Avalon will not go down, as her owner has been transferred to Dannevirka. This, quite spoils the trials, the writer continues, and practically makes them unnecessary, the Rona being the only boat left now that the Avalon and the Rona are not going off. There is just a possibility of Mr. F. Cloke’s orders being changed later, but if not the Avalon may lie placed at the disposal of the Hawke’s Bay Clnb. However, we still hope that matters may be so adjusted that the Rona and the Avalon will be able to compete in the trials, even if they have to be postponed for a week or two. Paremata’s Opening Day.

On Sunday next the Paremata Boating Club will open its season. The formal opening will take , place at 3 p.m., but invitations have been sent to the town clubs, as well as to those along the coast, to attend and take their boats to Paremata for the day. It is anticipated that there will be a big gathering to usher in the season at Paremata, and several racing events have been arranged. An invitation race for 14-footers will bo sailed in the morning, while in the afternoon a motor-boat racewill be held for the Moki trophy, which was presented to the club by Mr. F. McKeever. Dinghy races for boys will also take place during the day. Paremata can, if necessary, get along very well by itself, but it is to be hoped that city enthusiasts will do all in their power towards making the suburban club as successful as it could possibly' be. As a first step in this direction, they should attend next Sunday’s junction, and take their craft with them.

R.P.N.Y.C. Programme. Following is the racing programme of tho Royal Port Nicholson Yacht dub for the present season:— December 4: 18-foot and under class club handicap; 11th, first and second class club handicaps, 18-foot and under class club handicap, and seven footer one design.

January 22: Anniversary regatta; 29th, first ana second class club handicaps, and Grey Cup (18ft. and under class). February 5: Inter-club cup (14-ioot boat-); 12th, first and second class club handicaps; 19th,'"ocean race (first and second class yachts), rose bowl for launches. March 5: Ladies’ race (for first and second class yachts); 12th, Mills Cup (first class), Te Ruru Cup (second class), IS-foot and under class club handicap; 26th, Turnbull Cup (first class), Bothamley Cup (second class). April 9: Maxwell Rating Cup (first' class). The Season in the Bay.

The racing programme of the Evans Bay Club for the present season is aa follows:— December 4, keelers; December 18, keelcrs, launches, centre-boarders. January 15, keelers, launches, centreboarders.

February 12, launches, centreboarders; February' 26. Ocean Cup (keelere), launches, centreboarders. March 5, Commodore Cup (keelers), launches, centreboarders (Levin Cup); Ms’.ch 19, Holmes Cup (keelers), Hislop trophy (launches), George Cup (centrehoarders). April 2, keelers, Newcombe Cup (launches), Burns trophy (centreboarder=). This year the launches will compete for the American Cup, which will be awarded to the boat obtaining the most points throughout the season. The winner will be awarded three pointe, the second boat two points, ana third one point.