SCHOOLBOY CREWS

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 72, 26 March 1934, Page 4

SCHOOLBOY CREWS

RACES AT PETONE

Two races were held at Petoue on Saturday afternoon for the Schools Yachting Shield, which' has been donated by sportsmen of the Hutt Valley and sponsored by the Heretaunga Boating Club. This was the first schoolboys' yachting race that has been held iii New Zealand. The contestants handled their boats remarkably well, and the competition was. in every way a very successful one, and promises to become an annual event of some magnitude. . ' . . ' The draw for boats aud their skippers was as follows:—: Petone Central School.—Elito (J. Dugan), Idyllic (J. Williams), Nukumai (J. May). Wilford School: Idle Along (J. Arthur), Lonesome' (J. Lane), Shirley (B. Falrbairn). Petone West School: Rongomai (F. Sllbury), Wiiitul (T. Garnet): Petone Convent: Patua (P. O'Sulllvan), Tawera (31. Crane), Wonder (B. Hemeslcy). ■'. ■ The course was from the chibhouso along the beach to the Patrick Street buoy, thenback to the wharf, twice round, finishing at tho clubhouse... The wind was a full-sail northerly. ' '" ■'■■ On the run down to the first mark tho wind was tricky, leaving-some, of the boats becalmed while others were favoured with" squalls. The Itongomai went to the front with tho fleet gradually converging at the mark. Tho Rongomai was first round, closely followed by the Idle Along, Patua, Elite, Shirley, Lonesome, Wonder, Idyllic, Tawera,, Nukumai, and Waitui .A' mishap occurred to the Idyllic and tho Patua towed her back to the beach. On the close-haul back to the wharf tho Rongomal aud the Idle Along battled for first place, being very closely-xfollowed by the Elite, with the others well bunched. On the run down the second time tho Idle Along gradually overhauled and passed the Rongomai, with Intervals separating the rest of the "field." The-Idle Along was-flrst round the Patrick .Street buoy, with the Rongomai 3soc away, then the-Elite, Shirley, Lonesome, Nukumai, Wonder, Tawera, and Waitui. 'All the way back to tho finishing lino tho Idle Along and the Rongomai battled for first place, the Idle Along eventually crossing the finishing line half a boat's length ahead. The Klite was home third, the Shirley fourth, then the Lonesome, Wonder, Nukumai, Tawera, and Waitui. On the. adjustment of handicaps first place went to the Shirley, second place to the Idle Along, with the Rongomai third, Wilford School gaining first and second and Petone -West School third. SECOND RACE. The Tui replaced the disabled Idyllic for the second race which was sailed over the same course in a very squally wind. The start was one of the finest - ever seen at Petone, with the whole-fleet' crossing , the lino overlapping. The Nukumai.. Patua, Rongomai, and Idle Along were, the first to mayo ahead of the others: -The Rongomai hauled-on the, wind and looked like gaining an advantage, but other boats behind followed suit and gave her a disturbed wind. "The Idle Along- chose tho leeward position; -and booh -established a short lead-Converging oh the Patrick Street buoy the Idle Along rounded first ono'length ahead of the Rongomai:_ two lengths :away came the Patua and the Elite. together, with the rest of the -"field" so well bunched that it was impossible io separate'tliem. ' At this stage,-, while close-hauled, the Rongomai struck a heavy squall thatN placed the ,were in the act of rounding the buoy, and apparently there was.no room for .manoeuvring. The Idle Along, now without any ■oppositiou, climbed high on the wind, and established a big-lead which she maintained to the finish of the race. On splitting tacks the. Elite fouled the Rongomai .and' retired.' . Roundiug the wharf buoy for tho first time the order was the Idle- Along; {Patua, Lonesome, Rongomai, Wonder, Nukumai, Shirley,- Waitui, Tui, and Tawora. . .- ... ..... On .the second rundown to the Patrick Street buoy the Idle Along Increased lier lead while .the Patua', Lonesome,, and Rongomai had a great battle. -When' about 200 yards away from the mark the Idle Along rail Into a calm patch, and it looked as If tho rest of tho fleet would close , the gap. Eventually the. wind became strong again, and-the Patrick Street buoy was rounded In the fallowing order: —The Idle Along, Lonesome,- Rongomai, "Patua, Nukumai, Shirley, and.Wonder. The Waitui retired. Close-hauled on the wind back to tho finishing line tills, order -was unchanged, the Idle Along increasing her lead to about 200 yards. A spirited tusslo.took place between the Lonesome. Rongomai, and Patua for second place, the Lonesome holding her position by 12sec from the Rongomai, with the Patua Msec away. ■ On the adjustment of handicaps first place went to the-Nukumai, second to the Shirley, apd third to the Tawera. Petone Central gained first place, Wilford School second, and Petone Convent third. - Wilford won the" shield with one first and two seconds. Petone Central were second, with one firstplaco" aiid Petono West and Petonoi Convent were equal with one third each.