Yachting TANNER GUP

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28800, 22 January 1959, Page 12

Yachting TANNER GUP

Canterbury Wins Contest By finishing ahead of Wellington (M. Prince) in the fifth race of the Tanner Cup national yachting contest at Charter!® Bay yesterday morning, L. McGrath, of Canterbury, won the trophy for this season. Prince was the only competitor with a chance of beating McGrath when the race began, and . he offered strong opposition until the finish. The final race was held, in a afresh north-easterly wind. The Auckland and Poverty Bay representatives, W. Townson and P. Bonica, 'had a weight advantage over tile‘other competitors and dominated the event. -Auckland was first to finish by six seconds from Poverty Bay, but whs subsequently disqualified*' Prince did well sailing off the wind „ and. he had a close duel with McGrath for much of the last rate. McGrath gained steadily on Prince on the beat to the s finish, and moved through to third, place. He was promoted to second when Townson (Auckland) was disqualified'. McGrath’s Tanner Cup victory WaS the reward of a great deal of practice, several weeks of it at Charteris Bay. The local knowledge he gained helped him. fri the contest, and his failing ability showed that he had learned from the guidance of experienced yachtsmen ofj the Christ* church club, of which he is « 'member. Aged 14,.McGrath is one of the keenpsU t y4chtsmen. in the club •nd has aaiWalone in his 7ft Tifarange from Wtieltoh to compete'to races at Charteris Bay* He finished the contest with 366.67 points, a lead of more than 70 over the next competitor. Prince, who gained 295.4 points. Poverty Bay was third with 284.13. Results were:— Fifth Race.—Poverty Bay (P. Bonica), ihr 9mfn 36sec, It Canterbury (L. McGrath), Ihr 14mfn 40qec, 2; Wellington (M. Prince), Ihr l&min 18sec, 3; Taranaki (W. Innes). Ihr 17min 17sec, 4. Contest points (final).—Canterbury 366:67, Wellington 295‘.24, Poverty Bay 284.13, Auckland 190, Taranaki 186.67, Bay of Plenty 173.32, Waikato 116.97, Otago 113.01, Nelson 93.40. West Coast 90.07, North Auckland 78.66.

TAURANGA CUP SERIES

First Race To Tamaki Only 11 of foe 21 entrants finished fi £ st , r “ e ln th « . national interelub p-class serin, for theTauranga C yi.s. elcl al c h»rt«ria Bay in heavy condition, yesterday afternoon. P. Tapper, of the Tamaki yacht club won the event which , wks shortened by the sailing committee during the race from the scheduled three rounds to two. Some yachtsmen claim that the Tauranga Cup is more, difficult to win than the Tanner Cup and a strong north-east wind which whipped up the surface of Charteris n ?. a< ! e first race even more difficult to win. SeVerel of the competing yachts had their sails reefed down and most of the skippers who braved the conditions with full sail paid the penalty and capsized. Several of the competing skippers sailed exceptionally good races and the winher handled the conditions particularly well. Tamaki, which did not compete in the Tanner Cup, built up a big lead over the rest of the fleet. Although the Tamaki boat capsized on the beat up to the finishing line, she was neatly righted and reretained her lead over -Christchurch (L. McGrath!. McGrath showed that he will be a strong contender in this series and has a good chance of annexing' the Tauranga Cup as well as the Tanner Cup. which he won earlier in the day. . The race was held over a wind-ward-leeward course and the windward section claimed a large number of capsizes. New Plymouth (W. Innes) finished third; over a minute 'behind Christchurch, which gained to windward. Results (subject to confirmation) were:— First race (starting time, 2.30 p.m.).—Tamaki (P. Tapper) 3hr 12min 19sec, 1; Christchurch (L McGrath) 3hr 15min 4sec. 2; New Plymouth (W. Innes). 3hr 16min 21sec, 3; Gisborne (P. Bonica), 3hr 18min Isec. 4: Aurora. Nelson .(B. Coventry), 3hr 18min lOsec, 5.

CORNWELL CUP WINNERS

Presentations Made

A presentation was made to the winners of the Cornwall Cup, SLoader and B. Richardson, at a social function held at the Mount Pleasant Boating Club. The president of the club (Mr T. G. H. Buxton) presented each boy ‘ with a travelling clock, and congratulated them on their win. He said that they had a good knowledge of the rules of sailing, and that this was essential in a national contest.

Loader and Richardson had made use of the advice of older yachtsmen and they had achieved their success through a great deal of practice. Only a few yachtsmen had the ability to win the Cornwell Cup and they were usually born to It, said Mr W. H. Beanland, president of the Canterbury Yachting Association. Mr G.' S. Mander, a former Cornwell Cup winner praised the sall’-’g ability of the boys and said that he was glad they did not sail in his day.

Others who were present Included Messrs A. I. Ebert (Christchurch club). J. Bobbs (Charteris Bay dub). D. MhlUu (Pleasant Point club) and Dr. D. Walker (B clast squadron.).