SANDERS CUP.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18925, 14 February 1927, Page 9

SANDERS CUP.

BETTY WINS FIRST RACE. ROXA DISQUALIFIED. GOOD SAILING UNDER PERFECT CONDITIONS. Yachting enthusiasts were early r.strr on Saturday morning in preparation for the first race of the Sanders Cup contest fo r 1027. which took place in the afternoon. All the morning the streets were thronged with yachtsmen, as they went to and fro in preparation for the great contest. Trains arriving in the middle of the morning brought the first visitors from the City, and the early afternoon trains, including one special, were packed, many people being compelled to stand. It is estimated that at least 3000 people witnessed the race from different vantage prints around tho harbour, and from the many passenger launches, the steamer John Anderson, and the Lvttelton Harbour Board's tug "Lvttelton," which took out a large party of Harbour Board members and guests. The scene just before the start of the race was one such as had not been witnessed since the days of the old-timo regattas. Scores of yachts and sailing boats flitted, to and fro, and large numbers of motor craft were also out to follow the race. Each competing boat was accompanied by an attendant launch in case of mishap.

Brother of Lieut. Commander Sand em Present. By a fortunate chance Mr \Y. Sanders, a brother of the late Lieut.-Gominander Sanders, in whoso memory the Cup was given, was present to witness the race. Mr Sanders is second engineer in the steamer Ngakuta, and that vessel arrived rather unexpectedly at Lyttelton on Saturday morning, having been diverted from Wellington. The wind during the morning was light southerly, fine, with a smooth sea —Winifred's day, was the general opinion. Shortly after noon the wind died away, and visions of a drifting match arose. Fifteen minutes before the race started, as if in answer to a yachtsman's prayer, a fresh north-easterly arose, and in a few minutes ideal sailing weather prevailed. Those boats tbat had come out with light-weather crews made the necessary change. All the competitors were out early. The crew were as follows:

Betty (Canterbury): G. Andrews, L Treleaven, A. Hound, R. G. Hampton. Murihiku (Southland): C. Hansen, B. Johnson, H. Hansen, J. Phillips. Rona (Auckland): A. E. Matthews, E. Matthews, S. Chatfleld, S. Brown. Avalon (Hawke'a Bay): N. Gillies, F. G. Cloke, R. Farquhar, L. A. Turville.

Peggy (Wellington): B. Stirling, Harlen, Berg, W. Roundtree. Winifred (Otago): G. E. Kellett, O. Connor, H. C. Connor, A. J. Hill.

The Course. Tho course was a 'windward and leeward one as follows: From starting line between Pile Light, off Reclaimed Land, and starters launch, thence round tho buoy off Pile Bay, thence back round Piio Light, twice round, keeping all rounding marks on starboard hand, and finishing between Pilo Light and the starters' launch. The raco started at 2.25 p.m. The start was even. Murihiku shaped away 'to port towards the quarry. The others all close haulod on the starboard tack for tho pier. After a few minutes Murihiku came about. Winifred went about half way to pier, and midway Murihiku weathered her, on the opposite board. Avalon held on longest, until well into the pier, and was slightly to weather, of Betty. Bona and Avalon essayed short boards olose in to the pier, and the finish of some close manoeuvring saw the Auckland boßt to. windward. Murihiku close hauled in to the bend of the pier, and appeared to have the best position at this stage. Betty stood away across towards Diamond Harbour. She had the leeward position, but was well ahead. Winifred, Rona, Penny, and Avalon were indulging in short boards in mid harbour. Murihiku was pointing well, and was making a fine showing. Winifred and Peggy then took a long leg into Officers' Point, Murihiku was sailing her own course all the time, a long board on the port tack, and she fetched Diamond Harbour point. Betty, coming out of Diamond Harbour, was weathered by Rona and Avalon. Betty and Avalon then put about again, Betty went about and came out to windward.

The First Turn. There was some sl\arp manoeuvring as the weather buoy was approached, and Betty continued to improve her position, Avalon and Rona weathered Betty. All bunched near the Camp Bay buoy. The wind had lightened. Peggy put about on port to try and fetch the buoy in one leg, but was unable to accomplish the manoeuvre. Betty and Bona were sticking very close together, with Betty to weather. Murihiku was working out near the centre of the harbour, and seemed to be in a good position for a while. Rona put about to port, and separated from Betty which remained on the starboard tack. Betty was pointing well, and was fast improving her position. A few short boards in close order, and Betty came out to weather, and rounded the buoy first. The Pile Bay buoy was rounded at the following times:— Betty—3.7.o p.m. Murihiku—3.7.4o p.m. Bona —3.8.50 p.m. Winifred —3.9.20 p.m. Avalon —3.9.43 p.m. Peggy —3.10.30 p.m. Down the Wind. Betty had her spinnaker out in a twinkling, and the others weTe also smart. A fast run for the Pile Light commenced. The boats were in close order for a while, and made a fine sight as they winged down the wind. The wind had become puffy, but there was a good streak down the middle of the harbour. Winifred and Avalon were skying their spinnakers. Murihiku was closing up on Rona a little. Betty was plainly increasing her lead, and was running on a beautifully even keel, the trim of the boat being perfect. The race, at this stage, appeared to lie between Bettv, Bona, and Murihiku, the two latter majting a good race between themselves. The breeze had freshened. Avalon and Winifred were making a neck and neck race with Peggy dropping in the rear. In a line opposite the Pier Betty was lmin 28sec ahead of Bona, with* Murihiku 20sc<: further behind. Avalon gained a little and was leading Winifred slightly. The times at the Pile Light were: — 8etty—3.29.20 p.m. 80na—3.30.5S p.m. Murihiku—3.3l.2o p.m. Ava10n—3.32.23 p.m. Winifred —3.32.45 p.m. i peggy—3.34.o pjn.

Betty. Rona, and Avalon, after rounding flood iuto the Pier. All broke *nci:s together, and sot off on the beat down the harbour. Bettv was well in

lead. She stood on the port tack into the middle of the harbour and then made a long slant into the recess of the Gladstone Pier. Rons and Murihiku were trying short boards in miii harbour, all holding their same positions. Then the crowd on the Pier wore treated to a tine sight as each beat canii; :r. almost on to the rocks of the l-rer.k'.vater, before going about

Betty, pointing splendidly, was forgins abend, and the race was hers, barring accidents.

The Field Divides. Murihiku, Avalon, and Betty started to work the north shore, while Betty, Rona. and Peggy made for the diamond Harbour side, llona went about right ■•a Diamond Harbour l'oiul. and JJetty followed h minute later. Peggy was away behind, and stood well into Diamond Harbour. Murihiku was leading Avalot: and Winifred in a succession of shnrt boards, near Sticking Point, the tield being divided completely in two, the sections being over a mile apart. Passing Ripa Island Betty was on starboard taelc, with Rona well under her lee on the port taek, and Peggy further behind on starboard under the leo of Rona. Oil the other side of the harbour Murihiku was on starboard, with Avalon and Winifred to leeward. The Southland skippor, Hansen, was apparently trying to work iuto a position for a long leg across the harbour to the weather buoy. The wind by this time, was fresh and steady, ideal for sailing. At last Hansen got into the position ho was seeking, and stood away on the port tack for the buoy, with Avalon and Winifred following. Southland's manoeuvring worked out right, for Murihiku and Rona rounded together, and it was then that the foul, a slight one, occurred, for which Rona was subsequently disqualified. The times at tho weather buoy wore:—

Betty—l.B.o p.m. Rona—l,ll.o p.m. * Murihiku —1.11.2 p.m. - Ava10n—4.12.40 p.m. AVinitred—4.l3.2b p.m. Foggy—l.ls.2o p.m. The Home Bun. Andrews and his men made no*hsate in getting out the spinnaker; Andrews, with the race well in hand, then wisely refrained from taking unnecessary risks. Rona was smarter than Murihiku with her spinnaker. The five leaders all passed Peggy, still close hauled for the buoy. Murihiku and Rona were lighting hard on the run. Betty, a long way in the lead, was being triumphantly escorted by scores of yachts and launches, tlie steamer John Anderson, and the Harbour Board's tug "Lyttelton". Half way to the finishing lino Avalon moved up and overtook Winifred. Peggy was last, j The race finished at the following times: 8etty—4.29.15 p.m. I R0na—1.32.22 p.m. Murihiku—l.B3.s p.m. Ava10n—4.33.50 p.m. Winifred—l.3s.23 p.m. Peggy—l.3B.2s p.m. The actual times occupied in the raoe were, Betty 2 hours 4 minutes, Rona 2 hours 7 minutes 22sec, Murihiku 2 hours 8 minutes 5 seconds, Avalon 2 hours 25 minutes sQsec, Winifred 2 hours 10 minutes 28sec, Peggy 2 hours 12 minutes 3osec. Auckland Boat Disqualified. Subsequently the judges announced that as a result of Rona fouling Murihiku at the second time of rounding the weather buoy, the Auckland boat would be disqualified, and places wero awarded as follows: Betty .. •*' „ 1 Murihiku 2 Avalon a COKNWELIi CUP* SOUTHLAND SECURES FIRST WIN. AUCKLAND CREW GAPBI2ED. The first race for the CornweH Memorial Cup, for Takapuna one-design class sailing punts, was also held at Lylttelton on Saturday afternoon. The interest in this contest is fast increasing, and it is recognised that it is the most sporting of all sailing fixtures. The system of compelling crews to ballot for boats for each race, and not allowing any one crew to sail the same boat twice, until all crews had sailed that boat, is one that eliminates completely all competition as to the building of the boats, and ensures that the best crew wins.

The Course. The course was a triangular one, as follows :Btarting from a line between a buoy off the end of the Gladstone pier and the Pier, thence round the Beef Light and two piles, thence round a buoy off Church Bay point, thence around the buoy at the starting point. Three times around, keeping all marks to port. The Crown. The crews were as follows: —Lyttelj ton: E. Sinclair, E. Tyro; Auckland! A. D. McGregor, L McMasters; Napier: lan Gillies, M. Hutchinson; Wellington: J. Breen, J. Harlen; Christchurch: G. Allen, R. Gormack; Dunedin: C. Moller, H. Montgomery; Stewart Island: L. Bragg, H. BiddelL Stewart Island was allowed to use fl. Itiddcll, Dunedin'a emergency, ns a substitute for J. Phillips, who was needed to make up Murihiku's crew | in the Sanders Cup race. The Start. For five of the competitors the start was a good one. Southland, in the new boat Gad Fly, had to give way to another competitor, and this necessitated her putting about, and then re-cross-ing the line. Lyttelton was four minutes late in starting, and, as events subsequently showed, this cost her the race. Her late start was due to the crew essaying to repair a faulty stay while on a preliminary spin in mid-har-bour. with the result that tlioy failed to notice the starting flags. Lyttelton, who were in the Auckland boat Winsome, sailed a splendid race, however, coming second, and only missing first place l>y lmin 25sec. On crossing the line Southland had her spinnaker out first, and commenced to draw awav. Their boat for the race, Gad Fly, fully justified the predictions that she wns in a class by herself as regards speed, for she at once commenced to draw ahead.

Lvttclton was gradually overhauling the "field, and at the buoy off Church Bay, hnd caught Christchurch. Stewart Island was increasing her lead from all but Lyttelton. After crossing the line for the commencement of the second round, Stewart Island lost the wind for a time, enabling the others to close np. Picking up the wind again, all boats set spinnakers, Btewart Island drawing ahead. Lyttelton was by this time lying third, having pvertajcen Dnnediiu

Auckland Orw Capdaed, , Approaching the Beef Light Aaefe land, in the Lyttelton boat Wte Majh got into difficulties, due to mainsail on the wrorfg dde of the mast, McGregor had to lower Ma spinnaker to jibe, and in doing to the boat cap. sized. The crew was quickly picked up by the judge's launob and Wee May Wa« towed into Magazine Bay nearby.Thero the boys beached the boat to empty her. of water and adjust the gear, and at the finish of the race the latttteh r* turned and towed them batik 1 topbri The commencement of the third and lost round saw Stewart lalahi a long way ahead. Stewart Isllutd had ' the raoe well in' hand, and was half-way to the Beef before the second boat rounded. tyttelton. however, had been moving up all the time, especially when the boate were, on a lead. Hia remainder were strung out, Chrittchhrch ba> ing at the tail. , , o t • •' TtaHatth. : Crossing the winning line, Stewart Island were greeted with a calvto ot applause from the crowdon the Pifr. Tbi win was a popular one, partly because Bragg, the skipper, had naTOr.sailfed in a Takapuna punt previosa to his arrival at Lyttelton at the befUttlag of the week, his experience being ebhfinfed to sailing dinghje. 11m finish was as follows: .

Stewart Island m , 1 Xiyttelton ' + , # i Napier * «■ S Wellington Z 4 Otago .. X . . « 5 Ohrlßtcknxtih *. *.6 The times actually oeeupied in race were as follows:—'Stewart 1 hour 44tnin; Lyttelton (fain late in starting) 1 hour 47tnin sseo> 1 hour 50min 20sec; Wellington, 1 hour SOmin 40sec; Dunedin, 1 hour SSmfca 80 sec; Christchureh, 1 hour SBmin, Today's Draw. The draw for boat* for to-day'a race is Lyttelton, Kal Iwi, Auckland, Gad Flv; Stewart Island, Wet-U; Naplery Sea Pearl; Christchureh, Wineomej Wellington, Comet. ! To-day's Programme High water at Lyttelton 2.80 p.m. 2.15 p.m.—Second race for Bandera Cup. 2.45 p.m.—Second race for Corawell Cup. 8 p.m.—Visiting yachtsmen entertained by Canterbury Yacht and Motor-Boat Club at Lyttelton Club Hall. Motor Trip to Ashley Gorge. Yesterday most of the visiting yachtsmen were taken on a motor trip to Ashley Gorge, where an enjoyable day was spent. Cars were provided by mombcre of the Canterbury Automobile Association, and by Lyttelton residents.