YACHTING

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 112, 9 February 1928, Page 8

YACHTING

(By

“Nereus.”)

The Ocean Race, The three yac.its in the ocean race, Seabird, Nanette, and Windward, starting at 1.3(1 p.m. cn Saturday, ran into practically a fiat calm ou the way over, which necessitated a close haul all the way. The mark boat arrived at 7.15 in the evening, and hoisted a light at the entrance. After a calm night the boats arrived, Windward rounding at 11.11 a.m., Seabird five minutes later, followed by Nanette at 11.46 a.m. After the crews had had lunch ami a dip, the return journey was started in a light nor’-easter, which necessitated a close haul all the way to Sinclair Head. The wind gradually freshened until at Sinclair Head it was a single reef blow. The yachts, under full sail, had all they could carry, and a bit more, but, judging from comments by those on the mark boat, they made a very creditable showing indeed cn the return journey in the rather strenuous conditions. Windward, leading, was carrying a large mainsail, and put in about Sinclair Head fo put one reef in. which pause delayed her considerably.

The flood tide was running through the Strait against them, taking them to the north. Nanette carried right on without reefing, and went outside Barrett’s Reef, but Seabird, who was standup to her full sail in an admirable manner, went through Chaffer’s Passage, thus enabling her to make up on the other boat. A word of thanks is due to Mr. A. Holmes, who. just after Ins Sounds trip, took the launch Vagabond out to act as mark boat.

The Inter-Club Cup Race. Conditions in last Saturday’s race 'just suited AU Black, who went round the course in what must be dose on a record time. From the second buoy the gap was distinct, and ever widening, until at the finish she had a three minutes’ lead on the next boat, Wellesley I. This boat, too, did very well in such conditions, but never challenged the winner long after the start. It is a pity Wellesley JI had not been sailing with a crew of three instead of four, as that would then have made it more of a true test between the three Rona boats. Her skipper’s policy of keeping well away from the east shore did not help the boat as much as did that of the All Black’s skipper, who stuck whore the wind was, and used it.

The two Hereta'inga entrants. June and Aloha, had a hard time coming across the harbour, but must have had a good run home after the race.

Here and There. The representative boat, Wellesley 11, appeared at Evans Bay last Saturday, looking very neat and trim in her new white coat. Marangi, Rawene, Oyster, and Miru were at Evans Bay on Saturday afternoon on the occasion of the Inter-Club Cup contest. Miru and Iska spent the night at Ward Island. The launch Inua took a picnic party to Karaka. Bay on Sunday. The Wellington representative crew were out in Wellesley II on Sunday morning. Manutai, commodore F. Kiernan’s launch, went to Shelly Bay on Sunday, and Hiawatha was at Day’s Bay. Oyster and Ravene were at Scorching Bay on Sunday. The launch Taniora wa r at Somes Island on Sunday. Marangi and Ailsa were cruising outside the Heads on Sunday afternoon. The launches Resolution, Doris, Mina and Jessie had a good day out with the hapuka. there being comparatively no tide but a heavy sea. Marangi was out cruising on Monday evening.