YACHTING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 71, 4 January 1935, Page 3

YACHTING.

THE SANDERS CUP CONTEST INVEROARGILL, January 5. By winning the fourth trial race at Bluff, Evelyn (Inyercargill iboat) was chosen to represent Southland in the Senders Cup contest. THE AMERICA'S CUP. I CONTEST IN 1935 NOT LIKELY. The ten months' notice required of a challenge for the America's Cup having almost expired, a match in 1935 is unlikely; indeed, opinion on both sides of the Atlantic favours a post' ponement until mutual agreement is reached on the points which were in dispute during the recent contest (wrote a special correspondent of a London paper a few w.eeks ago). It is, probable that the main cause of the misunderstandings lies in the isolation of the New York Yacht Club. This historic club may be said to correspond in prestige to the Royal Yacht Squadron, but it is larger, and the influence which it exerts in American waters is more powerful than that exercised, or sought, by the R.Y.S. The New York Yacht Club does, not belong to the International YachtRacing Union, which is the governing body of the sport in about 30 countries. The 1.Y.-R. Union has one book of rules, the New York Yacht Club another. In spirit and intention both sets of rules are identical, or very nearly so. In wording they are occasionally dissimilar, however, and it is this disparity which can give rise to different interpretations, as unfortunately we have seen. / The New York Yacht Club is jealous of its independence, and will doubtless resist pressure to join the 1.Y.-R. Union. But it is finding its isolation increasingly hard'to maintain in face of the growing opinion that nations playing the same game cannot play that game with conflicting notions of the rules. Clubs elsewhere in the United States belong to the 1.Y.-R:.-Union. These, with Canadian clubs, are grouped into the North American Yacht-Racing Union. - - '

" America as a whole has long felt it as a hurt that the New York Yacht Club only should 'be concerned with the America Cup. This opinion, together with the widespread! desire to meet Great Britain in more frequent contests on the sea, are no doubt the reasons which have l'edi the North American Yacht-Racing Union to propose a new contest.. It is suggested that the first match should be held in 1935, and that it should be sailed with 12-metre yachts. The trophy would be called the "InterNations 12-Metre 'Cup," and would be open for competition by any country. It is announced that America is already building vessels from which to select its representative. In Great Britain the 12-metre class is strong, and the proposal is likely to be warmly received. But there does not appear any sufficient reason why the first contest should be held in American waters, as suggested. Surely a contest on the British side would prove as successful, particularly since 1935 is to be Jubilee Year, for which a special, programme of regattas is being arranged.