AT THE SIGN OF THE PANNANT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 622, 26 March 1929, Page 16

AT THE SIGN OF THE PANNANT

By

KEELSON.

LIGHT-WEATHER SAILING

PONSONBY AND THE “VICS

Yet another of the light weather days which have been of frequent occurrence this season characterised the Victoria and Fonsonby Cruising Clubs' combined racing on Saturday. A fairly steady but light breeze came down from the nor’-nor'-west at the outset, but as the afternoon progressed lire airs became variable and toward 4 30 dropped away, leaving just about enough for the boats to finish against the tide. _ - The most astonishing performance of the day was undoubtedly that of Mistral The champion secured a lead of 5m * 19s from Atagantai in the first round alone and her skipper, A. illetts. sailing his craft with never an error, went off to finish with the ti emendous advantage of 20m 22s over Cyclone, which had replaced Atangatai. Mistral was, of course, an easy winner in both clubs. Sceptre was the unlucky boat. With Ernie Bailey at the tiller she crossed the line first, only to get in the lee of the flagshipdredge and to be swept back whence she had come. The new boat thus lost Uim, and never seemed to do any good after the reverse. On time allowance, however, she was placed third with Ponsonby. There was little of particular note in the combined event for keelers and mullet-boats. Walriki won in both clubs. The start was probably the best seen this season and except for Queenie and Wairere. which were very late, tne other 18 timed the gun with rare judgment and swept over in fine style. The weather suited Ladye Wilma and she icd the flotilla home at Surfdale with 1m 20s in hand from Wairiki. The first of the centreboard boats to arrive was Rakoa, which finished 2m 19s ahead of Spray. Then came Starloch and Celox not far away. Queenie was seventh, havine made up something of her 15m lateness on the mullet-boats, but. not on the keelers. For the first time the M’s were induced to turn out in the combined meeting of the two clubs. Four boats represented the class and a reasonably close race resulted. Manene held first position at the conclusion of round one, the rest, Mawhiti, Maratea and Maia. being strung out in that formation. During the second round the black boat Maratea assumed the lead and put Manene second. Maia was third and Mawhiti fourth. Maratea seems to be the most consistent boat this season and has performed most creditably. The Y's were disappointing. f'r, •- four turned out and three finished. It was a bit of a slump in view of the progress this class has made in recent weeks. Shalimar —-in showed the T’s and X’s the way round and led on both laps. Val was in second place not far behind for the whole distance, but w.as unable to close in on her rival.

\ new 16-footer built on lines not previously seen on the harbour mat je her appearance on Saturday. Tlj. *s> craft, which is called Rangaura, rs. a V-bottom type of ample beam and carries a Marconi sail. She has been binlt by three Herne Bay boys, who h; tve been working on the boat for so me months. They called out to the Pi ess that they would make their debut, m racing by turning out with the Te*ia.nuna Boating Club on April 6. The officials on the “flagsmp r.ierit a word of appreciation. It is not «uf«.en that starting, timing and recording arccarried out with such promptitude; and absence of the “hot-and-bothered attitude which seems the appointees of some ciuos. Shortly after four tne attention ot those on' board the dredge was a erected to a column of smoke ofr kau.j. i omt. Through the glasses it couid seen that a launch was burning and tnat a crowd of small craft were fuzzing about her. The blazing ooat was too far off to be distinguished and it not until some hours later tha t it was learned that the Paloma bad been destroyed

LOSS OF THE PALOMA

Yachtsmen as well as power-boat owners will extend to Mr. Sinclair, vice-commodore of the Ponsonby Cruising Club, whole-hearted, sympathy in the loss of his fine launch Paloma by fire on Saturday afLjernoon off Kauri Point. As detailed in yesterday's Sun the launch was a marvel of elaborate fittings and electric gadgets of one kind and another used for experimental work. The Paloma had bnen Mr. Sinclair's all-absorbing hobfby and his great loss can be imagined when it is realised he put years of, work into his craft. When an old launch f:hus comes to grief the owner can at least say he has had a good run for his money. Not so Mr. Sinclair. The Pa loma had only been afloat some two tyears and Ponsonby’s flag-officer had every prospect of many seasons of ’pleasure out of what was one of the ispiartest powerboats on the harbour.

GOOD FRIDAY RACING

It is noted with no little displeasure that one or two cluhrs intend to hold a race on Good Friday*. In last Friday's issue the sports e/'ditor of The Sun, under the heading of “Despoilers of Sport,” had some p»ointed things to say about the tendency among certain sports bodies to cconduct fixtures and meetings on Sundays and other holydays. With his remarks these columns are in complete accord* Surely it is high time a definite stand was taken against the unnecessary e/.vcroachment by some

' sports organisations upon what to rpauiy are days of quietude and sol- ’ enanity. Anyone who cares to examine the trend will admit that there !is quite enough racing without the I smudging of days of sanctity by com- ] petitive sport. | If a man wishes to go away for a 1 cruise well and good—that is a matter 1 for the individual conscience and no-

! body’s susceptibilities are offended. I But the arranging and conduct of a I racing programme quite likely may 1 drag in men who would prefer to be | dissociated. The exhibition of a little j resolution by club men who have no ! time for the section who. to say the least, show little consideration for days of spiritual significance, might do a great deal to keep organised sport ! within its rightful bounds.