THE FIRST RACE.

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 22, 26 January 1924, Page 12

THE FIRST RACE.

WON BY THE ROMA. S.ULED IX A FRESH BREEZE. niy Telegraph.—Special in "Star."* WELLINGTON, Friday. The first race for the Sanders Cup was sailed to-day in a good whole sail breeze from the south-east. The course was a windward and leeward one, starting from between the starter's launch and Point Jerningham imoy, thence round a mark off Xgahauranga, thence round Point Jemingham buoy, twice round, eight miles. The race wan timed to start at'lo.3o a.m.. but was dela3'ed twenty minutes, as the lee mark was not in position. Medium weight crews were carried, tlio Rona's crew being Jack Gifford (skipper), A. Lidganl, H. Brown, L. W. Smith. Peggy and Konini carried four of a crew, but the June. Linnet, and Murihiku only had three each. A Good Start. The start was a very good one, Itona being lirst away, with Konini, Peggy, Murihiku, June, and Linnet in that order. Konini had the weather berth till the Rona luffed her, but Konini got the better of it. All set spinnakers smartly ■for the run to Ngahauranga, June getting hers up first. Half a mile from the start all six boats were running in a perfectly even line, the order from the outside of the course being Konini, Rona, Murihiku, Linnet, Peggy, and June. When one mile on their course, Konini liad a short lead, , with Rona a.bout two lengths away. Linnet being third. Then tamo Peggy, June, and Murihiku, the last four being very even. Konini Leading Rona. After ten minutes" sailing Konini was leading Rona by about six lengths, with J innet about two lengths awa3\ and the other three still close together. Shortly after this Linnet and Rona ran up level with Konini. Linnet passed Konini ami took the lead. Rona Now Ahead. Rona now improved her position, ! •passed Konini, went after Linnet, and I shortly after took the lead. The times of rounding the lee mark were: — Rona llh 10m 30s Kojiini nil 10m 33s ! Linnet llh 10m 40s } Murihiku llh 10m 52s June llh llm 10s Peggy llh llm 1-te Konini cut in to windward of Kona oil Tounding the mark. but-Rona soon drew dear, and went out ahead of the fleet. All but Peggy and June made a board on the starboard, Peggy going off on the port. On crossing tacks Rona was a few lengths ahead, while Linnet and Murihiku both weathered Konini. i There was now a good whole sail ] breeze, and all the boats were sailing fast. Rona stood towards Soames Island in a long board, Konini and Linnet following, while Murihiku, June and Peggy stood more towards the Wellington shore. Rona and Konini stood round again, but Linnet carried on, and Rona was a good ten lengths to windward when they crossed and nearly twice this distance ahead of Konini. Peggy wag now doing a little better, and headed June and Murihiku. Rona stood round, but Konini was still making a long board towards the Wellington shore. Peggy followed Konini and did the better. Rona worked a middle course, and gradually improved her load. Peggy did a lot better, and crossed ahead of linnet and Jvonini. The times of rounding the weather mark were:— Kona llh 54m 30s. I'egß' llh 55m 40s. ■ Linnet ] Jli 55m 50s. Murihiku llh 57m 17s. • lun(, llh 57m 255 Konini llh 57m .".5s On the Second fiun. On the second run to the lee mark Kona easily held her own, while Linnet passed. Peggy. June also improved her position, and half way lo the lee mark the order was: Rona Linnet, Peggy. Juno, Murihiku, and Konini. Murihiku passed June near the lee mark, and the times of rounding were: —- Bona. , I2li 13m ;Ws Linnet 12h 14iu 50s Peggy 12h i:>ni 25s Muriliiku 12hldn 10* June •. I2h liim 18s Konini 12h ldn 26s All made a board on the starboard, the wind being just the same strength, keeping steady and true. The three leading boats, Rona, Linnet and Peggy, carried on the starboard, Rona improving her lead a bit. June. Muribiku and Konini, after a short board round the mark, stood towards the Wellington shore. June, leading Linnet, also stood over towards the town, but Peggy and Rona held on for some time before coming round, and it was a good move. Peggy improved her position, and worked into second place, the finish being: R.ona 12h o7m 42« Peggy 12h s!)m 4s June lh Orn 8s ' Linnet ' lii 0m 52s Konini ..... 1 h lm 33s Murihiku lh 2m 7s