RACE TO TE KOUMA

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 906, 25 February 1930, Page 14

RACE TO TE KOUMA

A splendid fleet of 15 yachts faced the starter on Saturday for the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron’s annual race to Te Kouma, Coromandel. A very light and fitful air from the north made progress to the startingline very difficult, and several yachts were late in consequence. lorangi was first away on the weather side of the line, and continued to lead the fleet until within a few miles of Te Kouma harbour. The breeze improved slightly in the run down the harbour, and NgaToa, at this stage, made exceedingly good progress, working her way from leeward position up to third place at North Head. In the Rangitoto Channel there was practically no wind whatever, and in light fluky airs slow progress was made down to Islington Bay. Here the yachts which had stood over toward Brown’s Island picked up a light south-easterly breeze, while others only 200 yards away were still sailing with a light northerly. In the Motuihi passage, the breeze came out of the north-east and freshened, and at this stage the race developed into a beat out toward the Noises Islands. Here the larger boats established their lead, and when the fleet stood down the east coast of Waiheke at sunset they were spread down over many miles. Crossing the eastern part of the gulf, the wind again, fell very light, and only three vessels finished before ten o’clock. Nga-Toa showed to great advantage in tho light weather, and had a comfortable lead for first place from the two scratch boats, lorangi and Thelma. Probably the outstanding event of the race was the finish for second place between lorangi and Thelma. The* latter was caught on the wrong tack by lorangi within a few yards of the finishing line, and lost her second place in consequence by Bsec. The beautiful harbour of Te Kouma looked at its best on Sunday morning. The homeward voyage in a spanking northerly breeze, with sheets eased, resulted in some very speedy passages.