SANDERS CUP

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLIII, Issue 9786, 31 January 1923, Page 6

SANDERS CUP

THE FIRST RACE.

WON BY LYTTELTON YACHT LINNET.

(Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, January 30. Keen interest was manifested in the first race for the Sanders Cup interprovincial 14ft championship, which was sailed in Auckland to-day over a windward and leeward course of nine knots. The contestants and skippers were:

Murihiku (Southland,, T. Bragg). Linnet (Canterbury, S.. Sinclair). Eynin (Wellington, E.. Bailey). t , Winifred (Otago, J. Kellett). Rona (Auckland,, A. E. Matthews.) The race was lull of, interest, and right up until the finish the issue was always m doubt. Within a few seconds of reaching the finishing it looked as if Winifred was going to win, but the unexpected happened, and by a smart bit of work Linnet crossed the line nine seconds ahead, of Winifred. The race was started at 2 p.m. A moderate southerly breeze was blowing, and the tide was flood. On the fall of the last flag Rona crossed the line just ahead of Eynin,. which had a slight advantage oyer Murihiku and Linnet. Winifred had trouble with her spinnaker, and got the worst of the start, being last away. Five minutes after the start Murihiku took: the lead, and off the eastern tide deflector Winifred drew level with Rona, finally passing the Auckland' boat. A little later Ilona’s spinnaker was doing good work, and she caught Winifred, but only to be overhauled again a few seconds later. Linnet was now a long way astern of the leaders, and Winifred was picking, up Murihjku. At > the eastern end of the deflector Murihiku was leading Winifred by 23sec. Linnet was now third, Eynin fourth, and Rona last. After clearing this mark _ Murihiku and Winifred increased their lead from Rona and Eynin. At Campbell s Point Rona replaced Eynin. _ Murihiku and Winifred wore now making a close race of it, and when they entered Hobson Bay Winifred passed Murihiku. The wind drew slightly ahead out of the hay, and both boats had a little trouble with their spinnakers. A soft patch was then experienced. Linnet was fortunate enough to carry the breeze from astern, and came tearing along at a great pace. At 2.24 p.m. she caught and' passed Murihiku, but was replaced shortly afterwards by the Southland boat. Meanwhile Rona s spinnaker skied and gave her crew a lively time. The breeze had now become steadv, and all were making good headway. Passing the sandspit beacon —the times were f s —

Winifred continued in the lead until reaching North Head, when she was passed by Murihiku. Linnet now dropped a little further astern. The same order was kept until approaching the white light buoy in Rangitoto Channel, where Winifred drew level with Murihiku. The next puff, however, pushed Murihiku ahead. Rounding the white light buoy the times were: ■ —

It was now a beat to the King’s Wharf, and on getting round the buoy all stood on the port tack, except Eynin, which carried on tho starboard tack. Winifred was first round, then followed Murihiku and Rona. Linnet stood well inshore towards North Head before breaking tacks. Murihiku and Linnet were sailed a little freer than the other boats. Rona was doing better on the wind, and at 3hr 4min 30sec she crossed to windward of Linnet. _ By this time Murihiku was well to windward of Winifred, which meanwhile stood acrosa the harbour on the starboard tack. Eynin was now a long way astern. At tho sandspit beacon Murihiku was leading Rona by lmin ssec, the latter having passed Winifred after rounding North Head. Linnet came next, and then Eynin. Short boards were made by the various boats, and though Rona was making good headway on the port side, eventually she lost her position, being passed by Winifred. Linnet headed Rona off Point Resolution. The times of completion of the first round were:-

On the run to the sandspit beacon Rona and Murihiku immediately set their spinnakers, but Winifred did not hoist her light sail until off the tide deflector, There was no further change in the position in the run down the harbour, and when they reached the beacon for the beat back again the times were:

All stood on tho starboard and then came back on to the beat, except Murihiku, which carried on right across the harbour. The move on her part was a bad one, as she lost her position, falling back from second to fourth. Up till then Murihiku looked like a winner, as the conditions suited her. Winifred and Linnet were now fighting it out, and right up till the finish the issue remained in doubt. Winifred, however, appeared' to have the better chance, but she failed to make the mark as did Linnet, and when they both broke tacks again Linnet weathered Winifred and crossed the lino a winner by 9sec, with Rona third. The finishing times were:

The second race will be sailed tomorrow over a triangular course.

hr. min. sec Winifred ... 2 29 50 Murihiku ... 2 29 .51 Linnet ...' 2 29 53 Rona ... 2 31 30 Eynin ... 2 32 0

hr. min. sec Murihiku ... 2 48 30 Winifred ... 2 49 0 Linnet ... 2 50 0 Rona ... 2 50 20 Eynin ... 2 51 1

hr. min. sec Murihiku ... 3 32 10 Winifred ... 3 32 13 Linnet ... 3 33 46 Rona- ... 3 33 52 Eynin ... 3 38 44

hr. min. sec Winifred ... 3 55 0 Murihiku ...' 3 55 22 Linnet ... 3 55 38 Rona ... 3 56 49 Eynin ... 3 58 40

hr. min. sec. Linnet ... 4 14 25 Winifred ... 4 14 34 Rona ... 4 15 30 Murihiku ... 4 18 34 Eynin ... 4 25 20