YACHTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 15, 18 January 1929, Page 12

YACHTING.

SANDERS CUP TRIALS. AVALON WINS TWO RACES. CHOSKN TO GO SOUTH. CORXWELL CUP CONTEST TO-MORROW.

(By SPEEDWELL.)

After some delay, due to various matters outside their control, the selection committee of the Sanders Cup pot off three races in the past six days. The first trial was held last Saturday afternoon in a fairly steady breeze from the west over a windward and leeward course and resulted in a win for Val, after a very close race. The finishing times were: Val 4h 31m 295, Rona 4h 31m 40s, Avalon 4h 31m 435. The second trial was held on Tuesday evening over a, triangular course in a rather light and decidedly fluky breeze, which veered from west to north and back to west. Avalon won the race after leading almost from the start. The times were: Avalon t'>h 22m 275, Rona till 22m 465, Val 6h 24m 10s. Although Avalon won easily the race was not a very satisfactory test owing to the flukv nature of the wind. The third, and what has turned out to be the final test, was held last evening in a good sailing breeze from the north. In this race Avalon proved her superiority in no uncertain manner, eventually winning by 3m 26s from Rona, with Val 27s later. This was a very fair test, the wind holding steadily all through, and at the finish she was named by the selectors to represent Auckland.

The course was really a compromise, as to get a dead beat the boats were sent first on a lead to Bastion beacon, from which mark it was a dead to windward beat to the white light, a spinnaker run back, finishing with another lead tip harbour. Although Val was first away, Avalon soon drew clear ahead and after two boards on the wind the issue was never in doubt, bar accidents. The three boats, before they dispersed, were informed that there would not be any further trials.

Later the selectors decided to recommend Avalon as Auckland's representative. The matter of crew has to be decided, and an unofficial choice would include A. Willetts as skipper and F. Cloak as mainsheet man. The choice of the for'ard hand is a harder one. H. Brown, of Val's crew, is well known for hi«_ ability with leader or spinnaker, while young Larrit, who has done this work on Avalon in her three races, has proved to be really smart. Rona's crew included Vie and Roy Lidgard, who are both first-class men at the tiller or sheet. These four are all a bit on the light side, and a heavier man may be considered in view of a possible hard breeze. However, the choice of a crew is not so vital a matter as the selection of the boat.

The three boats may meet again on Regatta Day, when the Ross Cup and the Jellicoe Cup are both to be raced for. Possibly the Avalon may be on her way South, but as there would still be over a fortnight before the first race it should be possible to allow her to compete in our anniversary regatta and then go South in good time for the contest.

Wellington lias held about eight or nine trial races, and the decision seems still in doubt between Wellesley 11., Clyde, and All Black. Only Murihiku 11. is likely to come up from Southland, Otago has chosen Eileen again, and Lyttelton has a new defender in Colleen. With Betty eliminated after three successful years, the chances are that the much coveted cup will leave Canterbury and Mr. Geo. Andrews' mantelpiece, which it has adorned for the past three years. A fair field and no favour is all that is wanted, and may the best boat win.

THE CORNWELL CUP. The first race of the Cornwell Cup contest is to take place to-morrow at Lyttelton. There are seven crews competing, representing Auckland, Manukau, Napier, Wellington, Lyttelton, Christchurch and Macandrew's Bay, Dunedin. The crews will draw for boats, which are allotted to different crews after each race. It is quite likely, seeing that to win the contest one crew must gain three first places, that two races will be held on Saturday to expedite matters, as was done at Lyttelton two yean ago. Messrs. O. Moller and N. Wilson have gone to Lyttelton to repreeent Auckland and Manukau on the contest committee. Two boats of the 12ft Gin Takapuna class were sent to Lyttelton early this week, and with this addition all the crews should be provided with good boats. NOTES AND COMMENTS. The Wanganui Anniversary Begatta takes place on the Wanganui River next Tuesday. The programme includes numerous speed boat and outboard events, while the big race is for the Masport Cup, now held by the Wanganui boat, J. and J. Several of our fastest outboard boats are already on their way to Wanganui, including Miss Arawa, Humbug, Fleetun, Miss Akarana and U'Devil. The prize-money is on a liberal scale, over £250 being offered.

The Devonport Yacht Club held a series of races last Saturday, lorangi winning the big race to Rocky Bay, via Rangitoto, Motntapu and the Crusoe passage. Rahiri won the centreboard race after a very close go with Rakoa, only, 16 seconds separating them. Shalimar, a new T class boat, built and sailed by W. Rogers, finished first in her class and should do well during the season. Joan gave Shalimar a close go, only two seconds separating them at the finish. It, is a pity Joan does not race el bit oftener. Manenc and Drone each securnd another winning flag.

The New Zealand Power Boat Association held a very successful afternoon's racing on Saturday. The outboards pro,everal close contests and a special th'Ul when Fleetun emptied her owner, •Mr. C. J. Collings, out. Vave and Hum"ig quickly went to his assistance and h!.. v m reHulted ' beyond an extra bath. Kl«ai'in^k W °T» rHt outboard raco, OMn ck««* TK U " and MiM Araw » the JJSsd ««tliri^ n 4 " peed b ° at rac « on the lm 16s mark, flnUhL *I™!' » second ahead of the MUs fn«v*ndon, with FleetwlS mS**' I it t«f»rr«»w afternoon the AV.~ "»■><> *'<l«l. will hold four bi/Jr'!"*, ha-wlnn j/« over harbour coursct »tnrtf« *M fliiUhlng off the compass drink?* <hM. Hi. OH ling's new Valkyrl«, will act » fl«gal,lp h/ttj permission of the u>ner, and eon* good

racing is promised. The club will hold an "at home" in the afternoon and a dance at night. A picnic will also be held next dav.

The Point Chevalier Club will hold its annual regatta off the clubhouse on Sunday. Races for the L and N class, V and S class ami T, X and Y will be run, also launches and outboards.

The B class outboards will compete to-morrow at the Akarana Club's races for the Maud Shield.

The attention of the Marine Department should be called to the fact that the beacon on the patch of rocks off Giill Point, below Deep Creek, is missing. It seems to have gone some time ago. There is no reason why it should not be reinstalled, as already one well-known sporting skipper has found the rocks and crumpled up his propeller. Luckily h« did no further damage and was able to crawl home at a muck-reduced speed.

The entries received last night for +he Anniversary Regatta are very good til round, especially in the T and other small classes. Even the motor boat events are an improvement on last year and quite a fleet of outboards are competing.

On Saturday week the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron will hold races, when the annual measurement race will be held for the Macky Memorial Cup, also the popular M class.

The Tamaki Yacht Club will also hold races on Saturday week and a picnic to Motuihi, if possible, on Sunday, January 27.

The Point Chevalier Sailing Club will hold their annual regatta on Sunday next, when handicap races will be held for the H, L and N classes, M, V and S classes, T. X. Y and Z classes, also events for launches, outboards and Sea Scouts. The first event will start at 2.30 p.m. Entries close at clubhouse before the start.