SANDERS CUP

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLIII, Issue 9787, 1 February 1923, Page 2

SANDERS CUP

THE SECOND RACE.

WON BY SOUTHLAND 'YACHT. (Par Press Association.) AUCKLAND, January 31. The second of the series of races for the Sanders Cup was sailed to-day m light weather. The course was a triangular one, starting off the Kings Wharf, thence round the sandspit beacon on the starboard hand, and thence round a mark-boat off Orakei Point on the starboard hand, thence round the starter's launch on the starboard, twice round, finishing at the starting line, a distance of eight knots. Rona had a new skipper and crew, being sailed by V. Lidgard, who had with him R. Lidgard and J. Gifford. When the race was started there was a light easterly breeze, but later it freshened. In view of the close race put up on Tuesday between the representatives from Southland, Otago, and Canterbury, it was generally anticipated that these boats would agam be fighting it out for first nlace However, early in the first round it could be seen that the trial of strength was aoinf to be between Murihiku, Rona, and Linnet, and not Winifred, which was never prominent. The race took 2hr 28min 45sec to sail, and resulted in a well-deserved win for Murihiku, with Rona second. A few minutes before the start at 11 a.m. there was no wind, but when flags were hoisted there was a light easterly breeze. The tide was on the ebb, with still about an hour to go before the turn. At gunfire Eynin crossed the line first, closely followed by Rona, Lmnet, Winifred, and Murihiku in that order. Rona was to windward, but before they had gone very far Murihiku headed the Auckland boat.\ All *toooToti the starboard across the harbour towards the dock, and when they were well oyer they broke tacks, with the exception of Winifred, which carried further on before coming about. There was now a little more lift in the wind, but it was inclined to go into the south-east Off the sheerlegs Linnet went round and was crossed by Murihiku and Eynin. The order off the cable wharf was: Murihiku, Linnet, Eynin, Rona, and Winifred. All the boats were now carrying leaders, except Winifred, but later on she set hers. Rona passed Eynin off Devonport, and Murihiku was replaced by Linnet. The wind was now very light and trying. When it set in again from the south-east Linnet, which had stood too long on the starboard, lost the best of it. At 11.44 Rona weathered Linnet, the order being: Rona, Murihiku, Linnet, Eynin, and Winifred. Passing the sandspit beacon the times were:

Spinnakers were set for the run to the Orakei mark, the four leading boats holding well to windward of their mark to allow for the tide, which was now setting in, and in the run across the harbour Rona increased her lead, while Linnet overhauled Eynin. Winifred was now moving faster through the water than the others, and made up a few minutes. Linnet also improved her position at this Btage. Rounding the Orakei mark the times were:

The breeze had now strengthened somewhat, and setting her spinnaker well forward Rona increased her lead from Murihiku, which was well ahead of Linnet and the other two boats. Shortly afterwards Murihiku gained a second or two on Rona. On the completion of the first round the times were:

After setting round the mark Murihiku and Rona made short hoards, each trying for the weather berth. Rona, however, held her own, coming round on the Southland boat's weather. By this time the wind had shifted to the north-east, and was freshening all the while. Rona stood right to windward, but Murihiku held a course more to leeward, and it was really Rona's tactics at this stage that gave Murihiku the race. The Southland representative was holding a better wind, and at the cable wharf passed Rona, and a little later Linnet also overhauled Rona. The times rounding the sandspit for the second occasion were:

It was a flat run across the harbour to Orakei, and Murihiku still kept her lead. Oft 7 the wharf Rona drew level .with Linnet, but the latter beat her rival round the buoy, the times being:

Shortly after rounding the buoy Rona passed Linnet, but failed to overtake Murihiku, the same order being kept for the lead back to the finishing line. The times were:

Two further races will be held tomorrow, one starting at 10.30 a.m. and the other at 2.30 p.m. Should either Linnet or Murihiku, which have now a win each to their credit, carry off the race this morning, the fourth race will not be sailed until to-morrow.

hr. min. see Rona .. 11 49 45 Murihiku . .. 11 50 0 Eynin .. 11 51 10 Linnet .. 11 51 30 Winifred .. 11 54 10

hr. mm. sec. Rona .. 12 1 20 Murihiku .. 12 1 40 Linnet .. 12 2 15 Eynin .. 12 2 25 Winifred .. 12 5 15

hr. min. sec Rona .. 12 28 10 Murihiku .. 12 28 23 Linnet .. 12 mm 15 Eynin .. 12 32 15 Winifred .. 12 32 45

hr. mm. sec Murihiku .. ,. 12 56 20 Linnet .. 12 57 15 Rona ,. 12 57 45 Eynin .. 12 58 Winifred .. 1 0 10

hr. min. sec Murihiku .. 1 8 22 Linnet .. 1 9 20 Rona .. 1 9 25 Eynin .. 1 10 32 Winifred .. 1 11 20

hr. min. sec Murihiku .. 1 28 4£ Rona . 1 29 59 Linnet . 1 31 28 Eynin . 1 32 4 Winifred .. 1 32 50