WIN FOR WELLINGTON

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 98, 19 January 1935, Page 4

WIN FOR WELLINGTON

Fourth Sailing Boat Race Z CLASS CHAMPIONSHIP By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, January 18. Sailed at Lyttelton to-day in a strong sou’-wester with a fairly heavy sea, the fourth race for the Z class championship was won by Wellington. Wellington sailed a good race under conditions to their liking. They were challenged, however, by Kaiapoi in the last round, the Kaiapoi crew finishing a close second. Otago made a good showing in the first round, but capsized at the beginning of the second round, Lyttelton now has two wins, Paremata one, and Wellington one. To-day’s race resulted: Wellington, 4hrs. 25min. 4sec., 1; Kaiapoi, 4.25.51, 2; Christchurch, 4.51.16, 3; Paremata, 4.33.5, 4; Plimmerton, 4.33.6, 5; Timaru, 4.34.30, 6. STRUCK BY BIG SEA Paremata Skipper Thrown ■ Overboard Dominion Special Service. Christchurch, January IS. The start was at 2.55 p.m. on a triangular course, with a fast run before the wind. Christchurch, Otago, Paremata, Lyttelton and Timaru crossed the line.in that order. In trying to carry their spinnakers, several of the boats narrowly escaped. trouble. At the Sticking Point buoy Otago and Plimmerton were in the lead, followed by Wellington and Lyttelton. Kaiapoi was the last to round. Otago w'as in the weather position on the beat to the quarry buoy. Wellington stood out from the shore to where the wind was stronger. She then madq a board in to the shore, and splitting tacks in the lee of the land she weathered Otago. Lyttelton went too far in and lost the wind, dropping back to last position. Wellington rounded the quarry buoy 45 seconds ahead of Otago. Right off the quarry point Kaiapoi put Paremata and Plimmerton about, and rounded ahead of them. In the lead for the pier buoy the position was much the same. The first round was completed as follows: Wellington, 3.26.50; Otago, 3.28.55: Paremata, 3.29.31; Kaiapoi, 3.29.43; Plimmerton, 3.30.10; Timaru, 3.30.40; Christchurch, 3.30.45. Lyttelton retired without completing the first round. Otago was getting away on a fast run when the boat capsized. Just afterwards the Paremata boat went right over on its beam ends, but the smart action of the boys in climbing out on the weather side and righting the boat earned a round of applause from the onlookers. A few minutes later Paremata again caused excitement when a big sea struck the’ boat and threw the skipper, J. Coleman, overboard. The forward hand, W. Pycroft, grabbed the tiller and headed the boat jip until Coleman swam up and climbed aboard. The boys then continued tlie race. The second round was completed as follows:—Wellington, 3.55.27: Kaiapoi, 3.56.58; Plimmerton. 3.58.43;_ Christchurch, 3.58.47; Timaru, 3.59.25; Paremata, 4.0.50. The wind had lightened at the commencement of the last round, but freshened before the finish. Plimmerton was slow in gybing round the pier buoy, and Christchurch went ahead. Kaiapoi lost little on the run, but on the beat up began to improve its position on Wellington. It looked like a close finish between Wellington and Kaiapoi, the Kaiapoi crew sailing a good race. They fought hard on the lead from the fluarry to the finishing line, but Wellington maintained its position to win by 47 seconds.