Yachting SANDERS CUP

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29746, 13 February 1962, Page 6

Yachting SANDERS CUP

First Race To Wellington ( N. Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, Feb. 12. Mastering the gale-swept harbour with no apparent difficulty, the Wellington skipper, P. Millar (Vibrant), won the first race of: the 1962 Sanders Cup contest! held off Point Jerningham this afternoon. The event had been post-1 poned till the afternoon because! of a northerly in the morning i which capsized four of the six; boats competing before they' reached the starting line. The wind moderated slightly j by noon but soon after tne ! start of the race it came up ; again, and the yachtsmen were ! battered by squalls gusting to 35 knots Millar showed his superiority 1 from the start, establishing a commanding position soon after rounding the first buoy. He won by more than seven minutes. With Millar so far ahead the race resolved itself into a fight for second place between Manawatu (W. Bennetto. Roseann II). Bay of Plenty (J. Williams. Bambino), and Auckland (A. Bouzaid. Outvie). In the freshening wind Manawatu led Bay ot Plenty and Auckland down the final run Suddenly the 'Manawatu boat’s spinnaker shot into the air, the yacht spun like a top. and rhe next moment the crew were floundering in the water Bay of Plenty and Auckland passed by. Finishing times were:—Wellington, 4:16:25. 1; Bay of Plenty. 4 23:55, 2; Auckland. 4:24:21, 3; Manawatu, 4:30 37. 4; Taranaki (D. Holt. Conflict. 4:53:12, 5; Otago (D. Price, Vision) withdrew.