SANDERS CUP.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 39, 15 February 1929, Page 8

SANDERS CUP.

FIRST RACE RESAILED.

A WIN FOR CLYDE.

AVALON IN SECOND PLACE.

BEATEN BY U MINUTES

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

AKAROA, this day

In the first race for the Sanders Cup, which was re-sailed this morning, the Wellington entry, Clyde, was first across the winning line. Avalon, the Auckland representative, was second, and Colleen (Canterbury) third. Clyde won by a margin of lm 3Cs.

The damage to Avalon's port side was repaired and a new bowsprit made all ready for the iivst race.

The wind was from the south-west, a very fresh breeze straight up the harbour. The course was the same as yesterday. The start was timed for* 10 a.m., but was delayed forty minutes owing to an accident to the Canterbury boat's main boom when launching.

From a good start Clyde crossed first, followed by Colleen, Avalon, Murihiku and Eileen together. All stood out on the port tack. Avalon- weathered Colleen, but Clyde went round and Avalon had to throw round to clear her. Colleen, Clyde and Murihiku made a board towards the Akaroa shore into smoother water, but Eileen and Avalon held on across the harbour and Colleen followed. Avalon was slowly working out to windward of Eileen. There was not much sea, and the wind had now eased up a lot. Clyde and Colleen worked more down the centre of the harbour, where the breeze was strongest. Avalon and Eileen still held on towards the opposite shore with Murihiku close in to the Akaroa shore.

Clyde was now ahead, with Colleen second and Murihiku third. Avalon and Eileen struck a light patch, and almost stopped for over two minutes, when the other three were going strong. Clyde still led, and the times of rounding were:—Clyde, llh 14m 355; Colleen, llh 14m 525; Murihiku, llh 16m 455; Avalon, llh 18m 16s; Eileen, llh 18m 16s.

Spinnakers were soon set for the run home, with the wind easing up. Clyde and Colleen ran neck and neck for the lee mark, Colleen drawing ahead just before reaching it. The times of rounding the lee mark were:—Collen, llh 33m 40s; Clyde, llh 33m 555; Murihiku, llh 36m 8s; Avalon, llh 38m 16s; Eileen llh 38m 50s.

All worked the Akaroa shore, this time gaining from Avalon and Eileen's experience on the first round. Clyde was leading Colleen by half a minute off Green Point. Avalon was now doing well, and passed Murihiku, and gained on the leaders. All worked long and short legs under the Akaroa shore, with the wind a bit patchy. Clyde led by about a minute ahead of Colleen, with Avalon less than a minute back third. Murihiku was another minute away fourth, and Eileen over three minutes later. Avalon passed Colleen, and gained on Clyde. The times of rounding the weather mark were:—Clyde, 12h 7m 20s; Avalon, 12h 8m 40s; Colleen. 12h 9m 0s; Murihiku, 12h llm 20s; Eileen, 12h» 12m 455.

Clyde set her spinnaker very smartly on rounding, Avalon being exactly one minute setting hers. Here the wind was dead astern, and freshed a little, but the Wellington boat, .well handled by Xeil Rountree, made no mistakes, and the finish was:—

Clyde 12h 25m 50s Avalon 12h 28m 26s Colleen 12h 28m 31s Murihiku 12h 30m 8s Eileen 12h 31m 45s

This is the first time in the history of the ten contests that a Wellington boat has won a race.

The second race starts at 3 p.m., over a triangular course.

The race was sailed in a strong wind. Murihiku was fourth and Eileen fifth. Avalon and Eileen made a bad beginning by standing too far from the Akaroa shore, but Avalon made a fine recovery in the second round. The display of Eileen was disappointing.

Clyde's victory was meritorious. When the wind became lighter toward the end of the race the Auckland skipper was the only one to set a leading jib. Had the others done so, the result would certainly have been different.