NORTHCOTE SIDELIGHTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 604, 5 March 1929, Page 16

NORTHCOTE SIDELIGHTS

i From the point of \"le\\' alone of the number of competitors the Northcoto and Birkenhead annual regatta on Saturday was the most successful seen {or several years. The fields of starters taken as a whole show a record for the fixture, and compared with last year‘s total represent an advance of a little over 25 per cent. Last season 75 boats started, and on Saturday no fewer than 10: responded to gunfire. Here is a comparison in figures class by class, last year’s being shown in parenthesesz—A and B, 5 (5); C and E, 9 (5); H, 6 (7); L and N, 13 (10); M, (S (6); V and S, 13 (11); T. X, Y and Z. :3: (10); local 18ft and under, 10 (8); auxiliaries, 3 (5); launches, 2 (6): Outboards, 3 (:5); Tauranga seven-footers, 3 (class not represented). This analysis is particularly interesting in its indication of the nlarked lincrease in the half-decked boats from V to Z. l The falling-off in the small boat divisions in recent years had been the subject of expressions of perturbation by those who had at heart the interests of yacht racing. There could be, no gainsaying that representation in‘ the classes named had been none too brilliant during the last three or four seasons, and things appeared to be go‘ing from bad to worse. Several causes ‘were ascribed to the disinclination of i the young fellows to race, and in these columns attempts have been made to get to the root of the problem. It is therefore encouraging to note that the last few Saturdays haye watched a steady revival culminating in the splendid flotillas which turned out over Northcote way. May it be that yacht racing among the young men has taken a definite and permanent turn toward the greatness of a decade ago. It is upto all you fel—lows who own yachts lit for racing or not to line up once again. Let the handicappers know you are on the go and you will have your turn when the numbers go up. LAUNCHES TO RESCUE Such are the trials of \Vaitemata winds that it looked at 2.30 on Saturday that the regatta would be a pathetic failure. At that hour a very light sou'-sou'-west proved well-nigh ineffectual against a strong ebb tide, and Inany boats were unable to reach the starting-line for the commencement of the first—class heelers’ event. It was here that the powered craft had the laugh on the sailing fleet. Liuch good-natured banter was flung from ship to ship as stout yachts accepted a. tow from little coffee—pots of launches. The Harbour Board launch Orere proved in very truth a fairy godmother to at least 20 small yachts. It was seen that a large number had no chance of keeping their rendezvous unless assistance was forthcoming at once. The Orere made several trips as far as Northcote Point. and each time returned with a rake of “dead” yachts. On one occasion the launch hauled a train of no fewer than seven. The procession consisted of Rakoa, Rang), \Yinifred, ~Alarie, \Vaima, ’Mystic 21nd Blala. It was a rare sight. The committee wisely decided to postpone the entire programme 15 minutes. Thus nearly all intending competitors were able to get away to—gether. By 3 o'clock a steady breeze of good po‘ver came away and the boats made fair time. The finish was inclined to be sluggish, owing to an easmg-up of the wind, but everybody was satisfied. A fair number of boats did not finish for one cause and another, but_the. racing was in liiost Classes' interesting, though not aboundmg in incident. The committee has every reason for gratiiication,and the regatta will be considered by contestants and officials alike to be wen worth the effort.