SANDERS CUP.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 41, 18 February 1929, Page 9

SANDERS CUP.

AVALON AGAIN.

VICTORY IN THIRD RACE.

GREAT DUEL WITH EILEEN

CLYDE IX THIRD PLACE

(By Telegraph.—Special to " Star.") AKAROA, this day."" There was no wind early this morning, but a steady south-west breeze, of full-sail strength, set In shortly after ten o'clock and the contestants were given time to change their crews, all taking a heavy to medium crew of four. The course was two miles and a-quarter dead to windward and return, twice round, a distance of nine miles. A good start saw Clyde, Eileen, Colleen. Avalon and Murihiku away in this order. After clearing the line all threw round to starboard and lay inshore, with Clyde in the lead. Avalon, which was in the leeward position, was first to go about and got a nice luff, which broke off the other four boats. The others got it later and Eileen weathered Clyde, with Colleen and Avalon next and Murihiku fifth. Murihiku did not stand inshore with the others, but worked down outside in a steadier breeze, the wind inshore being very puffy.

Eileen continued to lead, while Avalon passed Colleen and Clyde. Clyde and Colleen stood so far in that they 10.-t the breeze, but only momentarily,* while Eileen, Avalon and Murihiku were fighting for the leading position further out. Eileen, which was mailing just as well a-, she diil on Saturday when she won the championship, appeared to be well suited by the wind and weather, increasing her lead slowly from Murihiku and Avalon, which were at close quarters about half-a-minute behind Eileen, with Clyde and Colleen about two minutes later." Avalon was now the second boat, and set off after Eileen, but the latter was still doing well, and increased her lead to a minute, all working down the Akaroa shore before standing out to fetch the weather mark.

The two leaders made their last board towards the shore, both coming round together. Eileen was still leading, but Avalon was gaining and drew up nearly level but to leeward. It was a great race for the mark between Eileen and Avalon. The Northern boat slowly but surely sailed through the Southern boat's lee. but was still several lengths to leeward and just failed to weather it. having to make two short boards, while Eileen judged it well and fetched round without tacking.

The time of rounding were: Eileen llh 3m 10s, Avalon llh'.'bn 30s, Clvde llh (im 10s, Colleen llh (im 355, Murihiku, llh Km 555.

Spinnakers were all quickly set to starboard for the beat and run home to the mark off the starting line and the boats ran fa*t in a steady fullsail breeze—the best sailing breeze in the contest so far. Eileen and Avalon drew well away from the second division. Avalon gained but very little on Eileen. The times round the lee mark in completion of the first round were: Eileen llh 20m 225, Avalon llh 20m 245, Clyde llh 23m 255, Colleen llh 23m 355, Murihiku llh 24m 50s.

The two leaders stood inshore on the starboard tack, both at close quarters. Avalon now worked out to windward of Kileen. It was a great race, not two lengths separating them. All worked much the same course as on the first round, to stand close inshore on the starboard tack. Each lost the wind at times, when they stood close in. but were equally served. Eileen was not to be beaten and Kellett showed excellent judgmnt off the points, drawing half a dozen lengths ahead of Willetts. Each was carrying leaders on the wind and leaving the rear division. Off the red buoy, half-way on the weather le<-. Avalon dosed up on 7ilem, as the wind freshened, and Avalon was for once srettin" the full advantage of her heavv-wei-ht crew. Both were again at verV close quarters, and Eileen, standing inshore on starboard, put Avalon around. Tlii* recurred a few minutes later, Eileen .*till holding a length's advantage but the next time they met Avalon had worked out a good length's load and weathered the Otago boat for the first time in the race.

Once ahead. Willetts made no mistakes, and slowly d,cw away imm Eileen, which had replaced her" leading .lib with her working jib. Both made longer boards now, Avalon still <*ainin" but Willetts never let Kellett g<"t away from under his lee. gaining a little on each board. Avalon now lav off on the port for the weather mark! Eileen following, and the times round were- — Avalon, llhr ."4m 2.->s: Eileen, lllir .Vim .">s; Clyde, llhr 59m 455 : Murihiku, llhr oDm 50s; Colleen. 12hr Om 20s.

Spinnakers were again set to starboard, and they ran for home with Auckland's challenger well ahead. She crossed the finishing line a very popular winner. lm 5s ahead.

The finishing times were:—Avalon 12hr 11m 30s. Eileen. 121ir 12m 35s •' Clyde. 12hr 10m 545 : Murihiku. 12hr lTn'i ss: Colleen. 12hr 17m 20s.

The fourth race is being sailed this afternoon, starting at 2.15 p.m.