UNOFFICIAL RACE FROM ROCKY BAY

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 226, 13 December 1927, Page 14

UNOFFICIAL RACE FROM ROCKY BAY

! Anchored in Rocky Bay on Satur- ' day night were the mullet boat Wayward and the keelers Waione, Kotiri, I Thelma and Ariki, which had not stayed at Awaroa. On the Sunday an unofficial race back was arranged, Waione and Kotiri conceding Wayward 30 I minutes, while Ariki and Thelma were to have started from scratch. Unfortunately the scratch ships touched the ' mud in Awaroa Bay, and had to wait for the tide, and Wayward sailed so well, ahead of Waione and Kotiri, that she reached port nearly 20 minutes ahead of them. Waione and Kotiri, however, staged a close race, and clung so close together that they made a fine picture. Between these two the race was formally declared a draw. ARIKI WELL HANDLED Stewart Wilson, a younger son of the regular pilot, sailed Ariki on Saturday, and his judicious handling of the crack clipper was reflected in the excellent time she registered on the run to Awaroa. THELMA IN TRIM Thelma must be in excellent trim just at present. Though carrying the auxiliary propeller she made a fine run to Awaroa, and on performances to date should be in for a satisfactory season. E. Craig has been handling her with much success, and was perhaps mystified to read that Mr. Madigan had come from the Barrier to sail the ship. Mr. Madigan, too, was doubtless interested to know that he had blown out the mains’l of his own boat. No wonder! He is skipper of the floating crane. These tall nautical tales are terribly trying. RUSSELL THE CHOICE “ Russell will be the choice of Auckland yachtsmen this Christmas, according to the results of an unofficial count lately conducted. The preference for the North is no reflection on Tauranga’s hospitality, which is recognised to be a good deal more friendly than some which is experienced, but the Northern coast’s more attractive cruising water turns the scale. Prize holds the title for the cruise to Russell, and Nga-Toa that for the Tauranga trip. The prospect for this Christmas is that the Russell cruise will be the better patronised of the two.