YACHTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 13, 16 January 1929, Page 17

YACHTING.

SANDERS CUP TRIALS.

AVALON WINS SECOND RACE

IN LIGHT AND FLUKY WIND

The second trial preliminary to the selection of the boat to represent Auckland province in the Sanders Cup contest which commences at Akaroa Harbour on February 14, was sailed last evening in a light and tluky westerly breezef Avalon winning by 19 seconds from Rona, with Val lm 24s later. The boats each carried light crews of three, Avalon was sailed by A. Willetts, with her owner, Frank Cloak as for'ard hand and J. Ronayne as third man. Val was in charge of Alex. Matthews, with H. Brown and G. Carter as crew. Vic. Lidgard again handled Rona. his crew being M. Lidgard and E. Fitzgerald. The course was from starting line off the King's wharf round Sandspit beacon, thence round Resolution buoy, finishing at starting line, a distance of 3i miles. The westerly wind, which was light and patchy, gave a run to Sandspit, a lead over to Resolution and a beat back to the finish.

It was 5.19 p.m. when the start was made. Avalon getting the best of it, lireakiiig out her spinnaker as she crossed the line. Val was second away, with Rona close up. It was a flat run to Sandspit. each carrying their leading jibs and spinnakers set to port. Avalon 'lowly drew a'aead, taking a position uiidway between Rona to windward and Val on her lee. The wind was very light but the three little craft were sail■■n<r well, making a picture with their new perfectly cut sails catching the wester,n<r sun" Val, in leeward position, now rame up a bit, while Rona sailed dead in the wake of Avalon, but the latter had her wind free and continued to gain. Neaxinc Victoria wharf, Rona got a little more wind and closed up on Avalon. Val was'not so well served, but soon after ran up level with Rona, with Avalon 50 yards ahead. Progress was now slow against the flood tide, but Val did better, and drew level with Avalon, but still to leeward.

All three luffed a little after passing Victoria wharf, Avalon -working furthest inshore, with Val level with her, but further out. The wind now fell very light, and the boats hardly had steering way. It could be seen that there was a light northerly breeze close inshore, and every effort was made to reach it. Spinnakers were in and sheets flattened to meet the changing conditions. Val being furthest out, got the worst of the deal, for after lying still for two or three minutes, Avalon got the northerly first, Eona next and Val last. Avalon was now trimming away with mainsail and leading jib drawing well. Heading for Sandspit she had a lead of oO yards before Rona got moving, with over double this distance between her and Val.

All three were now standing close hauled on port for the Sandspit, which was rounded as follow: — Avalon »>•.» *»;»-«.-*«* 5h 48m 10s Rona a »iMk«MKMwi 5h 48m 52s Yal ..«•«»«•««••<.« oh 50m 20a The change of wind gave another run, and spinnaker were very smartly set, as the boats gybed in turn round the Sandspit for tiie run across the harbour to Resolution. It could be, seen that the new wind did not carry across the harbour, and there was a calm belt between the northerly and the westerly which still held on the southern shore. Avalon now had a big lead out from Val, but Rona was sticking to her in a remarkable manner. Avalon now lost the wind completely. Rona ran on for a bit and then stood still. Val, still holding a course to leeward of the others, carried the wind a little longer before she in turn lost it.

Avalon, well to windward, was in the best position, for the westerly, and was first to get going after taking in her spinnaker, a move which the other two followed. Val now ran into second place, but the other two got a better breeze and drew away again. The westerly now came down quite fresh and steady, and the three boats lay for Eesolution close hauled on starboard. All fetched the mark easily the times of rounding being:— AvaJon K .......... 6h .im 42s Rona 6h tira 10s Val ...... „„ <ih 7m 5 S Avalon swung short round Resolution and stood on port into the centre of the harbour. Rona did the same, but Val carried on a few lengths before coming round to port. This was a good move, as she weathered the new Compass dolphin, which the others did not. Avalon stood a long time on port, as did Rona. Rona was now sailing very well in a slightly fresher breeze, pointing higher than either of the others. Avalon drew round to starboard at Oh 10m, and when she crosseb tacks with Rona she was barely 50 yards to windward of her. From the Eastern tide deflector. Avalon and Rona worked straight to windward in short boards. Avalon's skipper keeping on Rona's weather all the time. In this way the two leaders stood up for the finishing line, ana , Val tollowed, but she took longer boards and improved her position a bit. Rona vvas now fighting hard to catch Avalon but she held her lead and the finish was timed as follows: — Avalon 6h 22m-27s % Rona 6h 22m 46s %al ... 6h 24m 10s

Avalon won by 19 seconds from Rona, with Val lm 43s behind the winner. ibis is a reversal of first and third places from the first race when Val won by 11s from Rona, Avalon being third, Js later. If a points system of eountin-* results is used (ror comparison only) on a ° f 3 ' 2 and J ' the boats would be equal with 4 points each. The trial on the whole was spoilt bv the fluky nature of the wind, although the winner was placed in the best position. in each case to take advantage of it. The third trial, over a windward and leeward course, will".be held to-morrow evening, starting off the King's wharf at o p.m.

Messrs H. George and H. Kirkham the selectors again Lad charge of the race It is to be hoped the next test will b» sailed in a fre*h breeze, the fir«t two races being on the light side.