WITH THE SQUADRON

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 918, 11 March 1930, Page 14

WITH THE SQUADRON

SIDELIGHTS FROM SATURDAY The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron’s annual race for the Gover-nor-General’s Cup on Saturday was sailed In a fresh northerly which proved a severe test for the competing boats. The competition was a feather in the cap of the handicappers, and showed the wisdom of allotting time allowances on the day of a race where this is practicable. Mishaps to the big yachts Thelma and lorangi forced those boats out' of the running early in the race, and left only four in. After ripping her mainsail. Thelma rolled home to Mechanic’s Bay under headsails, and lorangi with a broken bobstay was not long in following. Meanwhile Ariki, continuing on, lead the flotilla round the course. She sailed well, but could not get the winning margin from Nga-Toa, Prize and Victory, which were following in mat order. As the boats entered the last leg from the Bastion to tne King’s Wharf line, it was seen that Ariki would have to step it out to give Prize 11 minutes and Victory 13. The weather was unsuited to Nga-Toa, which likes gentler breezes. Ariki came on, a fine picture as she lay on the long starhoard reach for the finish,. but she i ould not draw' away sufficiently to shake off the front-markers. VICTORY MAKES BID Victory was lying last, and soon after rounding the Bastion set a big leader in an effort to make something out of her handicap. It was too late to achieve a win, although Mr. H. George took second place on corrected times to his commodore, Mr. W. P. Endean. Corrected times were interesting, 49secs separating first and second boats, while trior© was only 26 between second and third. Ariki was placed third, being ort corrections 3min 56sec ahead of Nga-Toa. The only unfortunate aspect was the enforced withdrawal of Thelma und lorangi which, had they been able to carry on, would have added considerable interest to the finish. In the B class event for the Drysdale Cup the starters were Kotiri, Ladye Wilma, Windward, lona, Rangi and Kotuku. The yachts were well bunched for a very close start, but owing to some misunderstanding at least four crossed the line too soon and had to return. Kotuku was first away on the weather berth, followed by Windward, Rangi, lona, and the rest close behind. On the way down harbour to the Bastion all were close hauled on port tack, and in the fresh breeze with steep caused by the wind against the tide. Windward, Kotiri and Ladye Wilma sailed magnificently. The heavier-bodied vessels fell away in comparison. Kotiri looked like heading the fleet round the first mark, but just off North Head lost her jib, which cost her a minute’s delay. Rounding the Bastion the order was Windward, T*adye Wilma. Kotiri, Kotuku, Rangi, lona. DUEL FOR THE LEAD The long beat out to the saltworks beacon now settled down to a duel between Windward and Ladye Wilma for first place. During this stage lona gave up and Kotiri again had bad luck, carrying away her throat halyards. Nothing daunted, her crew repaired the damage, set a topsail and carried on. Windward was first round the saltworks, followed by Ladye Wilma, Kotiri, Kotuku and Rangi. On the run back to the Bastion Rangi passed Kotuku, and the distance between the yachts was sensibly diminished. On the second beat out to the saltworks Windward was still leading, but on a correction of times Kotuku looked like a sure winner. However, an outgoing steamer declined to give way to her in the channel, and Kotuku had to swing off her course in order to avoid being run down. In spite of this incident she was only 30sec behind Rangi on going round the saltworks.

The final run to the Bastion and the broad lead up the harbour saw Ladye Wilma just, establish her lead over Windward, which was not carrying a topsail. Kotiri finished next, but being scratch bout, was out of the race. Right up to the finishing-line it was uncertain whether Windward, Rangi or Kotuku would win. Rangi and Kotuku just failed by seconds to establish their handicaps, and the honours went to Windward. Mr. M. D. Grayson and his crew sailed a grand race, and Windward, after being the most consistent light-weather performer, showed her weatherliness by winning in a stiff whole-sail breeze. Another outstand?ng effort was that of Mr. M. K. Draffin’s Kotuku, which raced pluckily with only three on board. MARORO WINS M’S The M class patikis sailed by young fellows under 21 years, wore thoroughly at home in the sprightly breeze, and some keen work was demonstrated by •he crews. Maroro was going well on the wind, and it was pleasing to see the new boat Manu well up in the going practically all the way. This boat started last, but at the end of the first round lay second of five. Maratea now stood last, and only worked into fourth place at Mawhiti’s * expense on tne final run from the Sandspit. Mr W. Ahlers at Maroro’s tiller, never looked like being headed, and sailed a cool race. Up in the King’s Wharf tower comment was freely made that the M’s were the boats for future Sanders Cup contests.

Altogether Saturday’s races for all classes will rank as perhaps the most satisfactory of the season, which from a yachtsman’s point of view, has suffered from an overdose of light, baffling airs. A good romping breeez was a delightful change.