SANDERS CUP.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18927, 16 February 1927, Page 11

SANDERS CUP.

ANOTHER WIN FOR BETTY. RONA WINS FOURTH RACE. 'IIIREE BOATS ELIMINATED. '[he third :,itt inr the Sanders L'up contest i:as i-jld at L.. tleilon yesterday morning, .nit! icsulteii in a win lor tlie holder, IJetty, but not before she had been .strongly •-ijallcnged by Avalon, vvhi.'U :iL onu stage of the race led. 'lbvro was a dead calm when the executive met to decide whether a morning race should he held. After discussion, it .was a;;rccd to hold the race with the usual time limit of three houra, but with the additional proviso that should the first round be not completed within two hour:', the race would be declared off. The course was a windward and leeward one, the same as in the lirsl race. All boats carried light Weather crews. There was a light northerly putf nt the start. IJctty just swung under tho Ico of the starter's boat us the gun went, and was lirsi across. Next came Rona, Avalon, and Peggy abreast, tho Auckland boat being to windward. Winifred was fifth, and Murihiku iast, but to windward of the Otago boat. Off the Gladstone Pier. Dotty, Nona, and Avalon, closer in to shore than the others, lost the wind for n time. Winifred, Peggy, and Murihiku, further out in tho harbour, moved up on them. Then all caught a light wind, which carried them for half n mile. Murihiku stood well out into the mid-harbour, and was getting most wind. Winifred was near at hand, and ahead of the Southland boat. The wind freshened a little, and Rona and Peggy drew away from Winifred, which dropped back to the last position. As in the previous day's race, Avalon was hanging on to Hotly, a dozen lengths in the rear. Alt were carrying leading jibs except Murihiku nnd Winifred. Rona was drawing ahead of Peggy, but lalcr Peggy : caught a favournblc puff, and picked up « little. Avalon had closed in on Betty, and was within four lengths and slightly to windward. Up closer yet) until opposite Golliin's Day. the Hawke's Bay boat drew level, ana tho two were running neck and neck. Avalon was to windward, and threatening to blanket Betty. Then Avalon took the lead. Betty went about, and (fillies, watching Andrew's every move, followed suit. Both stood towards the north shore, and Avalon made a short board and then back to keep to windward of Betty. Rona had stood across to the other side of the harbour, nnd came about opposite the fort. This gave her nil tho wind there was, and she picked ur» considerably. The weather mark was rounded in tho following order: Avalon, Betty, Rona, Murihiku. Winifred. Avalon was. 36 seconds ahead of Betty. Spinnakers out. Betty had to pay off to allow Ronn. close hauled for the buoy, to get through. Then an unfortunate incident put Peggy out of the race. She was on tho port tad? to weather of Rona. which was still close hauled, on the starboard tack, nnd she failed to give way to the Auckland hont, which had to bring up to avoid touching. Pegfr was at once disqualified, and retired from the race. Bona turned th*» murk 3J minutes behind Avalon'.--Winifred was a bad Inst, failing... signally to show iip her light weather qualities. On ,the run. Murihiku moved up. on Rona. The first round was comnleted in the following order: Avalon, Betty, Rona. Murihiku, Winifred.

Betty Leads Again. Avalon was just ten seconds ahead of Betty. Gillies made a mistake in taking too round a turn, arid Andrews, seeing his chance, slipped in between and was once again in the lead, Rona was just 4} minutes behind Avalon at the turn, having lost a minute on the run. Murihiku was- just 33 seconds behind the Auckland boat. ■Rona was carrying a fine breezo, and moved nn fast on the two leaders. Avalon hoisted his leader, but Betty stuck to jib alone. Rona made a short board into the pier and came away again fast. At Gollan's Bay, Betty had a long lead on Avalon. Bona was closing up on the Hawke's Bay boat. Winifred and Murihiku were well behind, and Winifred was close up to the Southland boat. Avalon and "Rona, both flying leaders, were more than holding their own against Betty. Rona was working out in mid-harbour, getting more wind, and was closing up all the time. The weather buoy was rounded- in the following order: Betty, Avalon, Rona, Murihiku. Winifred. Bettr was lmin 22sec ahead of Avalon. and Rona was 2min 19sec behind the leader. - The run for the finishing line was a jone strung out procession. The finish was: Betty 1 Avalon ... ... '2 Rona ... ... 3 Murihiku ... ... 4 Winifred did not cross the finishing line. The actual sailing times .were: Betty 2hr 19min SOsec, Avalon 2hr 20min oosec, Rona 2hr 22min oOsec, Murihiku 2hr 29min 20see. Betty thus won by lmin 35sec. RONA WINS FOURTH RACE. SPECTACULAR FINISH. The fourth race was sailed yesterday afternoon in a fresh north-easterly wind and a choppy sea. It was easily the best race yet seen in this year's contest, and resulted in Auckland's representative, Bonn, securing her first win. The courso was a triangular one arid there was a fresh north-easterly blowing. Betty's SUpper Stands Down. In this race Andrews did not sail in Betty. With two wins in hand. the. Canterbury skipper felt that it would bo moro sporting to stand down in favour of his second in command, 1. Treleaven, as it would make the contest more interesting. G. Douglas was Betty's fourth man. Winifred had A. Dawson as fourth man, and Murihiku carried W. Watson. Rona carried three men only. The Btart. There was a beautiful start, all crossing almost together. Avalon was first across, half a length in front of Betty, with Bona, Murihiku and Winifred i-iose behind. Murihiku tried a Bhort Insing board, and came out of it well, us a few moments later she-weathered the fieet. Peggy alone carried a leader Some short hoards saw Rona take the lead. Spcndid going between Rona, Peggy, Avalon, and Murihikit; Winifred was iast. AM stood right in to i"S;s.vrV V'tint. Breaking ticks right inshore. Murihiku again weather*;! the other; and took tho lead for the buoy, with Ruua

cJose oil her. going Letwiea si »"t t-«!jsgy, winch had uropi-ed into the last uositiou. All in line, breaking tacks, I Jjstty weathered Avalon. Winitred was j showing up well. Bona and Murihiku | -.-.ere ttehung tor the leading position, i At Gol'lan's Bay Bona was i\ tilth' '» ! tiie lead, lite order at the Gollan s | Bar buoy was, Kona. Murihiku,. Betty, I Avalon. Winifred. . ! iioiia was ic-n seconds sihead o! the i .Southland boat. Both sot leaders tor I the lead to Purau. Betty Hone did not , use u loader. Rona showed a great I burst of speed on the lead, and left Murihiku well behind. The order at ! tho Purau buov was Bona, Murihiku. Betty, Avalon. Winifred, Peggy. Bona had her spinnaker out quickly and vi as away on :» fast run for the Pile .Murihiku was too slow with her .spinnaker. Bettys new spinnaker hand. Hampton, had his spinnaker out in a flash, and Peggy heat Winifred with iters. There was spectacular sailing t-n the run. all sails drawing well. Half way to the Pile Light Bona hud a big lead, and it looked as it nothing could catch her. Murihiku and Betty were close together. Avalon came next, and then Winifred, sailing well, and Pexgy last. Opposite the Moles. Betty drew ahead of Murihiku. At the end of'thc first round the- order was Bona, Bettv, Murihiku, Avalon, Winifred, Peggy. Bona v.as lmin 20sec ahead of Betty. Bona and Bettv stood across towards Diamond Harbour, Rona a long way to windward. Murihiku and Avalon worked shorter boards on the north side. Winitred and Peggy beat up the middle of the harbour. Betty stood well over, but Bona came about and worked the mid-harbour.' Betty had enught up on the Auckland boat a lot at this stage. Crossing on opposite tacks Bona weathered Betty by a dozen lengths. Betty still further reduced the distance between the two. It was a jjreat light for position at the buoy. Both were making heavy weather. Bona rounded sixteen seconds ahead of Betty. Betty had her leader out as she rounded, but Bona was slow with hers. It seemed then that the two were the only ones left in tho race, tho others being well behind. They rounded in the following order, Murihiku, Avalon, Winifred, Peggy. Bona gained on the lend for Purau buoy, and rounded it 50 seconds ahead of Betty. Tho others rounded in the samo order as at the previous mark. Winifred had caught up a little on Murihiku. Bona and Betty had their spinnakers out smartly, and the battle for tho finish commenced. Off Diamond Harbour, Bona caught nn" extra squall, nosedived, and all but capsized. She lost her spinnaker for'ard, but quickly recovered. A Great Finish. Incitement rose to fever heat as it was seen that it would bo one of tho closest finishes in the history of tho event. Wing level with wing cumo Bona and Betty fairly booming-down tho wind. Sometimes Bona would poko her nose in front, and sometimes Betty. A few yards from the line Bona picked up and drew slightly ahead, and in a dashing finish won by two seconds. Avalon had drawn up on the two leaders and was third to round. Tho finish was: Bona 1. Betty 2. Avalon 3, Murihiku 4. Winifred o. Peggy did not finish. The sailing times wore:—Bona 1 lifliir 47min 40sec, Betty 1 hour 47min 42sec, Avalon 1 hour 43min lOsee, Murihiku 1 hour £0 min 20dcc, Winifred 1 hour COmin 58 sec. The fifth race will be sailed at. ten o'clock this morning. Betty now has two wins, and needs only one more win to hold the Cup for another year. Avalon and Bona hove oho win each. The three will be tho only starters, "Winifred, Murihiku, and Peggy having been eliminated. ■•.-<.-•• • ■.'•.. CORNWELL CUP. LUCK OF GAD PLY. THE THIRD RACE. The third race in the Cornwcll'Cup contest was held at Lyttelton yesterday morning. The Wellington crew in Gad Fly came in first, but wero disqualified for touching the Church Bay buoy on the first round, and the race was awarded to the second crew, Auckland, giving Auckland their second win. Tho course was triangular. Beforo the race started tho judges decided to wait for the wind, which later canto away light northerly. Tho boats left the lino in the following order : Wellington, Otago, Christchureh, Auckland, Hawke's Bay, Lyttelton, Southland. On the run up to the first mark, Otago passed Wellington, and the Auckland crew also overhauled Wellington. The wind varied considerably and prevented spinnakers being carried to the second mark. The boats were widely scattered on rounding Church Bay buoy, Auckland overhauling Otago. On the fun across to the pier buoy tho wind was tricky. Wellington nnd Auckland worked to windward of Otago. The order at the end of tho first round was: Wellington, Auckland, Otago, Hawke's Boy, Lyttelton, Christchureh,' Southland. Tho wind lightened on the second round, Gad Fly establishing a big lead. On the .beat from Church Bay, Hawke's Bay worked out to windward of Otago, and overhauled Auckland. <The order at the end of the second round was: Wellington, Auckland, Hawke's Bay, Christchureh. Otago. Lyttelton, Southland. On the run up, Otago overhauled Christchureh. The Christchureh skipper accidentally dislodged his tiller and lost control of his boat for a few moments. The remainder of the race was In a fresh breeze. Hawke's Bay overhauled Auckland, and Lyttelton displaced Otago! The finish was ns follows :—Auckland 1. Hawke's Bay 2. Christchureh 3, Lyttelton 4, Otago o, Southland retired. Wellington disqualified. THE FOURTH RACE. WIN FOR HAWKE'S BAY. The fourth race for the Cornwcll Cup was sailed yesterday afternoon, and for the fourth time Gad Fly crossed the finishing line first. Her superiority as regards speed makes it almost a certainty that whichever- crew draws this boat must win. On this occasion it was the .Napier crew which secured the win. The draw v.as as follows:—Auckland, Kai Iwi; Lyttelton, Wetu; MawKes Bay, Uad Fly; Wellington, Wee May; Christchureh, &ea Pearl; Otago, Comet;, Winsome. . . The race was sailed over a wmdwara and leeward course in a full-sail nortneaster, with choppy sea ihe boats were sent away in tne following order. -Lyttelton. Wellington, Christchureh, Auckland, Southland, Hawkes Bay. Otago. On tho beat down to. Ripa Island buoy, Hawke's Boy worked oat to the weather position, and had a gooa lead. The boats opened out in: crossing the .harbour.. Tho torn »* U» Kipa Island mark was as M°** n J Hawke's Bav, Southland, Auckland, Lyttelton, Christchureh JV<n.ng on, Otaso. On the run before the wino.

Hawke's Bay in Gad Fly established a big lead from the remainder of the fleet. Southland being nearest, and the other boats stretched out over a long distance. The upper harl>our mark was turned as follows:—Hawke's Bav, bouthland. Auckland, Lvttelton. church, Wellington, Otago. There was no change in tuo position;, oi „,* on tho beat back to Kipu island ".ark, which was rounded in the same order as tnc tol) mar[ . Wellington and Otago retired at this stage. The other hvo boats made fast time on the ast run home, tho finish bcina as follows : ** j Hawke's Liav 1. i Southland 'S. | Auckland 0. i l-yttelton ■!. ! Christchureh 5 The sailing times uerc :-Hawke's »ny 1 hour 69min losec. Southland '_> hours 3mm 4sec, Auckland 1! hours 7 nun 3.jsec. Lyttelton 2 hours 12min 50 sec. Christchureh time was not taken. • Auckland has now two wins, Southland one, and Hawke's Bav one. Several more races must be sailed in this contest. Otago has drawn Gad Flv for this morning's race. CREWS ENTERTAINED. DINNER AND SMOKE CONCERT. In honour of tlie crews and. delegates to the Sanders Cup and Cornwall Cup contests, a dinner was givcu last evening in the Farmers' Co-operative Association's tea-rooms by tho officers and members of tho Christchureh Sailing and Power Bont Club. Afterwards an adjournment was mado to the Canterbury A. and IV Association's rooms, where a smoke concert was hold. It was attended by a large number. Mr A, T. Hound, commodore of tho Christchureh Sailing and Power Boat Club, occupied the chair, others present including: Messrs F. K. Sutton (Mayor of Lyttelton), C. J. Trolea-iu, M. J. Miller, W. T. Lester, Cyrus J. B. Williams, U. Andrews and Captain A. W. Owlcs, and Messrs E. J. Howard, and D. G. Sullivan, M.P.'s. ' Mr Bound extended a hearty welcome to tho visitors, and expressed the hope that they would enjoy themselves as well as Canterbury people had enjoyed themselves at similar functions in other places where the contests had been held. Apologies for absence included one from tho Mayor (Mr J. K. Archer). After the loyal toast had been honoured, Mr Sutton proposed tho toast of "The Visitors.'-' Ho said that they had with them the donor of the Sanders Cup. During tho past few days the preseaco of the visitors had added interest to the contests. He hopod that both Christchureh and Lyttelton had succeeded in making their Btay a most enjoyable one, and they would carry home pleasant memories. He had found tho visitors thoroughly good sportsmen. Mr Sutton coupled with tho toast the names of tho delegates from the various centres, Messrs W. A. Wilkinson (Auckland), J. T. Paul (Otago), A. Moffatt (Wellington), J. B. Moffctt (Southland), N. Gillies (Hawke's Bay), and Mr J. Hislop (donor of the Sfndeis Cup). The last-named was received with loud applause. He said he was very gratified at seeing tho annual gathering of tho best sportsaion in New Zealand yachtsmen. The handing over of the tiller that day to tbe spinnaker hnnd on tho Betty showed excellent sportsmanship on the part of Mr Andrews. Ho had made an excellent job of the race. Brief reference to tho history of the two cups was made by the speaker. Mr Wilkinson returned thanks for tho oxeellentturnngements and tho hospitality received. AH-'"the visitors would go back to their homes the very best of feelings towards Canterbury. "A Sport for Men." Mr Paul said he thought the Winifred would do all right with an engine in her (laughter), but if she could not Iwin, the Otago yachtsmen would . get something else. Tbey wished to see the Cup go round. Yachting was a sport for men, and only real men would become great sailors. Yachtsmen provided sport as thrilling and exciting as any other, but. yet they could not get sixpence for a gate. It was a bit disappointing to them in Dunedin. Otago yachtsmen had always been on the best of terms with those in Canterbury. Mr J. B. Moffott congratulated tho winning crews, and those in the finals. Tho Murihiku would give it another go. They knew that in Canterbury they had been up against it through not receiving the public support to which they wero entitled, but nothing had been lacking in the arrangements and entertainment. Thanks wero also returned by Mr A. -Moffctt and Mr Gillies. Tho latter said Hawke's Bay appreciated the fluke which had given the Avalon a win the previous day. "The Mayor, City Council, and local Bodies,"'was the toast proposed by Mr W. T. Lester. Ho mado humorous references to the vicissitudes of campaigning for seats on local bodtCß. Lyttelton, he said, was tho mother of Canterbury, and Christchureh was one of the children which had outgrown the parent. Messrs D. G. Sullivan, E. J. Howi ard, and C. J. R. W r illiams responded. Captain Owlcs proposed the tonst of "The Christchureh Sidling and Power Boat Club." He said, it was now close on 40 vears since it was founded, and Mr Andrews, owner'of tho Betty, had been a member for 30 years, and was now a life member.. Yachting in Canterbury owed a great deal to him. He felt that the holding of the Sanders Cup in Lvttelton would give an impetus to the sport here, and he looked forward io the day when the Estuary v. odd be dotted with sailing boats. Commodore Bound, who responded, said ho was sure that if the Christchurch Club won tho Sanders Cup twice in succession, it would hand it over to somo other province for competition, preferablv Southland. Mr M. E. Lvons proposed the toast of "The Competitors in the Cornwcll Cup."

MOONLIGHT PICNIC TO-NIGHT. To-ni"ht the visiting yachtsmen and friends °»ill be entertained at a moonlight picnic at Diamond Harbour. The Lvttelton Marino Band orchestra will be in attendance, and there will be dancing at Godley House It is expected that there will be a large attendance. Launches will leave at ..30 p.m.