SAILING BOAT RACES

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 97, 18 January 1935, Page 6

SAILING BOAT RACES

Lyttelton Wins Two Events WELLINGTON SECOND By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, January 17. The second and third races for the Z class championship were sailed at Lyttelton to-day, both races being won by Lyttelton. Conditions for both races were flukey, but this did not detract from Lyttelton’s success, which was deserved, the Lyttelton skipper, Hanna, making the moat of every opportunity. The Wellington crew sailed consistently, securing two second places. 'This evening the judges considered a protest by Wellington against Lyttelton in the morning race on the grounds that Lyttelton touched the buoy on rounding, but the protest was not sustained. the morning race are: Lyttelton (K. Hanna, K. Hendry), 12.34.8.1; Wellington, 12.37.30, 2; Plimmerton,'l2.37.39, 3; Paremata, 12.35.34, 4; Christchurch. 12.39.47, 5; Otago, 12.41.20, 6. Results of the afternoon race are: — Lyttelton, 5.40.44, 1; Wellington. 5.40.33, 2; Plimmerton, 5.48.15, 3; Otago, 5.52:15, 4; Paremata, 5 53.10, 5; Christchurch, 5.53.13, 6. Timaru was not timed. KEEN CONTEST Fast Finish Before Wind Dominion Special Service. Cliristchurch, January 17. There was little wind at the start of the morning race, and the boats had to be towed out to the mark. The start was at 10.26. All broke spinnakers as the gun went, Otago drifting across first with Lyttelton and Wellington following, and the others in a bunch. For 10 minutes they hung about the line 'before they picked up a light easterly ■puff, and moved forward on a broad ■lead, carrying the spinnakers forward. The wind again failed and for 50 minutes they drifted toward the first mark. Nearing the buoy Plimmerton went into the lead. The order of rounding was Plimmerton, Paremata, Lyttelton, Otago, Wellington, Christchurch, Kaiapoi and Timaru.’ Plimmerton and Paremata weiil about on a starboard tack, ■but Lyttelton kept on the port tack to ■gain more wind, the others following. •When Lyttelton came about she weathered Plimmerton and Paremata. Otago, sailing a lone course well out in the harbour, was in a good position for a ■time, but lost it again. Lyttelton rounded 47 seconds ahead of Wellington, with Plimmerton, Paremata, Christchurch, Otago, Kaiapoi and Timaru next. The Wellington cretf -were smart with the spinnaker.. Timaru retired before reaching the weather mark. On the broad lead for the Quarry buoy all carried spinnakers as leaders. At the turn, Lyttelton was only 25 seconds ahead of Wellington, just Timaru, Waitui. The course was wiudKaiapoi’e spinnaker boom snapped, and the crew retired. It was a good fight between Lyttelton and Wellington on the beat for the next mark, but Lyttelton finally drew ahead and rounded more than five minutes ahead of Wellington. The wind was very flukey and Lyttelton supporters had an anxious few minutes when their boat was becalmed. However, the crew caught the breeze again and won comfortably. The draw for boats for the afternoon race was: Otago, Gadfly; Kaiapoi, Pupuke; Plimmerton, Noleen; Christchurch, Echo ; Wellington, Rascal; Lyttelton, Watti; Paremata. Wairuna; and Timaru, Waitui. The course was windward and leeward, the same as for the first race. The wind was a light and flukey nor’-wester. All crossed in a bunch, Paremata leading. The flukiness of the -wind was illustrated by the frequent changes over of spinnakers. .Lyttelton rounded the Sticking Point buoy 8 minutes 10 seconds ahead of Christchurch. The others rounded in a bunch, except Timaru, which was well astern. Lyttelton had carried the spinnaker to the buoy' and continued to carry it after rounding. Off the recreation ground Lyttelton was becalmed, while the others moved up with the fresh breeze. At this stage the breeze came away true from the north-west. Lyttelton worked along the shore, the others standing further out. The first round was completed in the following order: Lyttelton, Wellington, Plimmerton, Paremata, Christchurch, Otago, and Timaru. Kaiapoi retired. It was now a run from the pile to the buoy at Sticking Point, and Lyttelton picked up 46 seconds on the second boat, Wellington. The boats rounded in the following order: Lyttelton, Wellington, Plimmerton, Paremata, Christchurch, Otago and Timaru. All worked short boards up the shore. Off the pier Plimmerton weathered Wellington. The pile was rounded the.second time as follows: Lyttelton, Plimmerton, Wellington, Otago, Christchurch,. Paremata and Timaru. Some of the back-markers came along fast with the strong breeze. Lyttelton, however, maintained the lead after rounding the Sticking Point buoy. Wellington overhauled Plimmerton, but the position of the others remained much the same. The finish before the wind was very fast.