AT THE SIGN of THE PENNANT.

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 456, 11 September 1928, Page 18

AT THE SIGN of THE PENNANT.

By

KEELSON.

TO INTEREST THE PUBLIC USE OF MARK FOY STARTING In an endeavour to make yacht racing more exciting and interesting for the general public, the Christchurch Sailing and Power-boat Club committee has decided to adopt the Mark Foy system of starting races for regattas and opening-day races. Those who sponsored the Mark Foy system contended that spectators got very few thrills out of the time-off-at-the-finish method. It was impossible to tell how boats were placed during a race and races were usually very disappointing affairs. Opponents of the scheme held that it would not be fair in the estuary. Limit boats might set away with a sood wind and a favourable tide, but by the time the scratch boat got away conditions might be quite different. It was also suggested that boats could be run "dark." That is, in the event of one of the scratch boats going to the front her skipper could take his time, then the handicappers would have no idea of her speed. Commenting on the last objection, "Bobstay,” of the Chirstchurch "Sun,” dismisses it with the observation that a yachtsman who ran his boat “dark” would be no yachtsman. In any case if a boat were allowed to get such a big lead as to enable her skipper to take things easy, there was something wrong with the handicapping. TO TAKE BETTY’S PLACE Of interest to yachtsmen throughout New Zealand will be the news that Canterbury is to have a new, onedesign, 14-footer racing this year, to take the place of Mr. G. Andrews’ Betty, winner of the Dominion championship for the past three years. The new boat is being built by Mr. F. Dobbie, of Lyttelton, and is already well under way. A complete new suit of sails will be imported from England. Everything is being done to have the new boat in first-class racing condition. RUSSELL REGATTA The annual Russell Regatta will be held on December 27, when it is anticipated there will be competitors from as far south as Otago and Southland. A strong committee has been formed, with Mr. A. E. Neumann as honorary secretary. The day’s sport will be of special interest to outboard motorboat enthusiasts, and the programme consists of eight races for this type of craft. The chief event is the outboard speed championships of New Zealand, open to all craft. The Dominion championship for B class engines will also be decided. Entries close on December 14 with the secretary, Russell, the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, Auckland, Mr. G. Laycock, secretary of the Akarana Yacht Club, Auckland, or Mr. R. H. Allan, Whangarei.

FAIR EYES ON LIPTON CUP A member of the committee of the Akarana Yacht Club tells the following story, which he declares is absolutely the truth. It was at the dance held on Saturday evening in the new club-house. A young man and his fair partner stood in front of the array of prizes before the distribution admiring the trophies. The Lipton Cup, dominating everything, took the fancy of the young lady. “Oh, Henry,” she said, “won’t it be lovely if we win that beautiful cup to-night!”

BOATS AND THEIR OWNERS Mr. Harl Murphy’s 32-foot auxiliary Etta F. has been finished off inside and is now ready for outside painting. Mr. George Tupp’s 24-footer Boy Jack is ready to take the water, and will probably go down this week. This is no doubt the first craft to go afloat for the coming season. Messrs. Mackay and Farrell’s wellknown 26-footer Spray has had a new lining and has been finished off inside. Mr. Trevor Fookes’s Kokiri has also undergone much the same sort of overhaul and is rapidly showing signs of readiness for the coming racing. The launch Wyoming., formerly called Allies, has been much improved and has had her round coamings taken out and square ones fitted in their place. Inside work is well advanced on the boats on most hauling out sites, but tho continued unfavourable week-ends have prevented a great deal being done on the outside of craft. Some boatmen are of opinion that they will be much later getting down this spring for that reason. Yacht and M.B. Meeting A meeting of the Auckland Yacht and Motor-Boat Association will be held this evening in the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron rooms. After being laid aside for several weeks by illness the chairman, Mr. J. B. Johnston, is now able to resume his place as head of the association. Ponsonby’s Fortnightly Dance The Ponsonby Cruising Club will hold its fortnightly dance in the clubhouse, St. Mary’s Bay, on Saturday evening. These functions will be alternated with dances held every two weeks by the Akarana Yacht Club. That is, it will be Akarana/* turn on the Saturday following.