AQUATICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2624, 5 October 1909, Page 6

AQUATICS.

ENG LISH YACHTIN'G. The “Week” opened under the flag of the Royal London Yacht Club on Monday. August 2 (says the “Sydney Referee”). The direction of the wind gave the racers a lead down and up the western channel, and the times over the course were correspondingly very fast. The conditions could not have been improved upon for the two stickers, and consequently the German Emperor’s Meteor and Germania were seen to great advantage in the race for the 23-metre and “A” class yachts. They, together with Cicely, the only British schooner in the race romped away from the cutters. Germania led the Imperial yacht all the way and won by about 3min. from her, but passed the boat mark on the wrong side. Meteor took first prize and Cicely second. Tlie finishing times were: Meteor llir. 3mu in. 33sec., Cicely Ihr. 56min. 6sec.

The meeting of the English and foreign boats in the 15-metre class aroused a good deal of interest. The starters were: Tuiga, the Duke of Medinacelli, Slec. Senor Jaopez :ostara, Mr. W. PBurton: Vanity, Messrs. Payne, AVatson and Bonn; Mariska. Air. A. K. Stothert; Ma’oona, Air. Almeric Paget. The race was for the challenge cup presented by the commodore of the Royal London Yacht Club for International racing. Last year Air. AY. P. Burton won it with Britomart, and this year successfully defended it with his how boat Ostara. Finishing times were: Ostara (winner). Ihr. 33min. 40sec. ; Tuiga (second nrize), Ihr. 35min. IGsec. ; Alariska, Ihr. 38min. 35sec. ; Vanity Ihr. 38min.- 20sec. ; Ala’oona, Ihr. 42min. 36sec. ; Sloe, Ihr. 43mm. 5 sec. Iffie dnv following the King’s Cup was raced for under the aupices of the Royal Yacht Squadron. The race for this trophy is confined to yachts belonging to members of the Royal Yacht Squadron, and, being a handicap, naturally attracts a very large fleit comparatively. The race started under the light w eather handicap, with Meteor and Sea Bird time limit with 54min. 50sec. The tide was slack, and light canvas was carried. AVhite Heather won in 12Mnin. from Cicely, which was just under two minutes in front of Aleteor. The race for the 15-metre class was of considerable interest, on account of it being the first race in which the King of Spain’s new File-designed yacht Hispanic. took part. The entrants were: Hispania, Tuiga, Slec,-Ostara. Vanity, Alariska, Ala’oona, and Britomart. It was a splendid race between Hispania, Ostara, and Tuig, but Hispania finally won by nearly 6 min. from Ostara, with Tuiga third.