YACHTING

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 119, 17 February 1928, Page 11

YACHTING

DOMINION CONFERENCE SANDERS CUP ARRANGEMENTS ELIMINATION AGREED TO Dominion Special Service. Half Moon Bay (Stewart Island), February 16. Ideal summer weather prevailed for the annual contest for the Sanders Cup. To-day there was a gentle breeze from the north-east, and the smooth _ waters of Patterson’s Inlet sparkled in the bright sunshine. The contest has aroused considerable interest in tho Southland district and Stewart- Island. The island is crowded with visitors from all parts of New Zealand, and the tug Southland brings further contingents each day. Tlie crews from Auckland and the other provinces are greatly impressed with Patterson’s Inlet, which they state is the finest and most picturesque stretch of water to be found in any part of tho Dominion. The various crews spent the morning in preparing their boats for the contest. The Auckland boat, Avalon, is perhaps the most pleasing to the eye. The Otago boat, Eileen, and Betty, the holder of the cup, were the only boats out to-day. Eileen sailed very fast in the fickle breeze. Avalon only reached the sheds at Thule on Wednesday morning. She was nearly seven days on tho journey from Auckland, but reached the island in perfect order. The stage is set for the contest which gives every promise of being one of the most interesting since the inception. The crews are very keen and each one is sanguine of success. The Stewart Island folk gave the crews and visitors a rousing reception op Wednesday evening. . The annual Dominion yachting conlerence was held this afternoon, when delegates representing the five provinces competing in the Sanders .Cup contest were present. The delegates were Messrs. A. B. Moffett, C. Hansen (Southland), Hislop, J. Patrick (Auckland), Moffatt, J. D. L. Jukes (Wellington), A. T. Round, G. Andrews (Canterbury), N. F. Paul, H. Camp (Otago). Mr. Moffat (Wellington) was chairman. It was decided that the first race be sailed on Friday over a windward and leeward course, starting at 1.30 p.m. It was also decided that the judges, together with Messrs. C. Hansen and T. Bragg, fix the courses before each race. It was. decided that all the boats entered for tho contest be accepted without question. The following judges were appointed for the contest: —Messrs. H. Camp, J. Moffat, and A. B. Moffett; Mr. W. O. Martin, Otago, was appointed timekeeper, and Messrs. J. B. Jukes, Wellington, P. O. Wheatley, Otago, and J. Watson, Stewart Island, starters. Mr. Paul, in reply to a question by a delegate in regard to appointing a Dominion measurer, said that the Otago and Auckland Associations were not in accord with such an official being appointed. Mr. Paul explained that the Auckland body was the governing body so far as the Sanders Oup contest was concerned. The delegates agreed with this, and it was mentioned that the question of the appointment of a Dominion measurer had been dropped.

Mr. Paul said that, in view of the fact that the Sanders Cup contest was a great asset to the young generation in the way of training young men for the sea, the council should approach the Government with the request that all crews competing in contests be carried free.

Mr. Moffett said it had cost a great deal of money to send boats and crews from one province to another, and as thc> contest was a memorial to a brave New Zealander, the Government and also the Union Steam Ship Company should be asked to assist the Dominion Council. A resolution was carried to the effect that the Government be approached by a deputation representing the various provinces with a request that the Minister provide free transit for boats and crews competing in all Sanders Cup contests.

On the motion of Mr. Paul, it was decided that the second and subsequent races b? sailed alternately over windward and leewar dcourses. and that the time limit for each race be three hours. Mr. Paul said he was in favour of continuing the contest until one boat secured three wins. As some of the boats had come a long .way, he thought none of them should be eliminated.

Mr. Hislop said he did not think (his could be carried, but as the governing body controlled the contest, he contended that if a boat could not secure one win in four races, then she should not be considered. If non-eliniination was agreed to, then there was a possibility of the contest being drawn out to eleven races.

Mr. Moffett said he did not think it would be wise to decide to allow all boats to sail to the finish of the content. He was in favour of eliminating all boats which did not secure a win in four races. An amendment moved by Mr. Moffett that elimination take place after the sailing of four races, was carried.