AVENGER TO FORE

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 99, 21 January 1932, Page 11

AVENGER TO FORE

Fourth Sanders Cup Race BETTY WELL BEATEN Each Has Two Wins INTERESTING POSITION After holding the lead for practically the whole length of the ninemile course, Avenger, the Canterbury representative, won the fourth qualifying race of the twelfth Sanders Cup contest, held on the harbour yesterday afternoon. Avenger went to the fore shortly before rounding the second mark near Kaiwarra, and once having established the lead, successfully withstood all challenges, and went on to win by 3min. 40sec. from Betty, the present holder. The contest is now at an interesting stage. Betty and Avenger both have two wins to their credit. As the rules provide that the cup shall go to the first boat to win three races, If either Betty or Avenger win this 'morning’s event, the 1932 contest will be decided. There was little to choose between the performances of the skippers of Avenger and Betty, George Brassel and Arthur Johnston .respectively. Light Northerly Wind. The race was sailed in a light northerly over a triangular course set ■ from Clyde Quay Wharf to Point Jerningham, to Coromandel buoy (off Kaiwarra), back to Clyde Quay—three times round. The breeze was very light and-puffy in the initial stages, and for a while it seemed as if the race would not be completed within the required time limit. From a good start at 3 p-m. Bangi was first across the line, followed by Betty, Vai, Avenger and Heather. For most of the lead down to Point Jerningham Betty held first position, but as the i mark was being approached, Bangi and Avenger got the advantage of some unexpected puffs of wind. Bangi assumed the lead, and rounded the buoy 3 seconds ahead of Avenger, with Betty following third, 6sec.-later. The long beat up to Coromandel buoy was made in n very fluky and erratic wind. Bang! held the weather position in the initial stages, with Betty following second. About halfway across, when Betty and Bangi crossed tacks it was seen that the Auckland boat was leading by 20 yards. Avenger was sailing third. The puffy wind was apt to play some queer tricks with the boats, and for a while it was anybody’s race. Avenger crept up, and shortly afterward was leading Betty by two clear boat lengths. She then headed Bangi, but so separated were the boats that it was impossible to determine which was leading the field. Brassel put in some smart work with Avenger when coming up on the buoy, and she rounded the mark Imin. 13sec. ahead of Bangi, with Betty third, Imin. 28sec. later. Very Little Wind. Just when commencing the long run back to Clyde Quay, Forman dropped Avenger’s spinnaker overboard, and it was some time before it was finally set Betty caught the wind first but Avenger was lying motionless for some little time. The wind at this stage, : under the lea of - Wadestown Hill, was very light and fluky. ‘ Bangi, which was lying in second position, became becalmed, and Betty and Heather passed. It was only a matter of luck at this stage. Vai picked up exceedingly well, but she had fallen too far behind to be in the picture. At Clyde Quay—the completion of the first round, Avenger was leading from Betty by Imin. 4sec., with Heather following in third place 20sec later. Bangi was fourth' and Vai fifth. Second Round. Commencing the second round, Avenger had a good margin, and bowled in fine style on the lead down to Point Jerningham. There was a fair breeze and Betty made strenuous efforts to bridge the gap somewhat. At Jerningham, Avenger was leading by Imin. 28sec. from Betty, with Heather only 44sec. away in third place. On the beat up. to Coromandel the second time Betty appeared for a while to be catching up on Avenger, but about halfway across Avenger got a fine little “lift,” and thenceforth began to increase the intervening distance. There was a margin of 2min. 12sec. between Betty and Avenger when the Coromandel mark was rounded. Heather, Vai and Bangi were behind at this stage, and again, it appeared, were going to leave Brassel and Johnston to fight for the honours. Breeze Steadier. There was a decidedly more steady breeze for the second run from Coromandel to Clyde Quay. Avenger’s spinnaker was not set as smartly as Betty’s, but nevertheless both boats were, soon making good progress with the wind behind them. Betty and Avenger were well night across to their mark by the time Vai and Rang! had rounded the Coromandel buoy. Heather was sailing well in third position. On rounding Clyde Quay buoy, which marked the completion of the second round. Avenger had a very substantial lead of 2min. lOsec., and If anything she had still further increased the distance between herself and Betty. Heather passed the mark smin. 3sec. after Betty. She was by this time completely out of the picture. There was no incident of importance on the lead to Jerningham, third time. Avenger maintained her lead, rounding the beacon with Imin. 58sec. to spare. Final Stages. Brassel sailed a sterling race on the beat up to the Coromandel buoy for the last time. Betty went out on a long leg toward Somes Island, but gained no advantage of wind there. Avenger rounded Coromandel buoy 2min. 40sec. ahead of Betty. Rang!, Vai and Heather rounded in that order, but well behind. Forman, for the second time in the race, had trouble in setting Avenger’s spinnaker, dropping it in the water again. The canvas got taugled around the bowsprit, and it was some time before the spinnaker was set properly. The delay, however, did not make any difference to the result, as Avenger had established such a strong lead. She • received a good following breeze on the final run across the harbour, and all canvas set, she raced across the finishing line 3min. 4Csec. ahead of Betty. Rang!, Heather and Vai were well behind. Actual Sailing Times. Actual sailing times are as follow: — Avenger 21ir. 21mln. 20sec. Betty .......... 21ir. 25min. Csec. Rang! 2hr. 30mln. 55sec. Heather 2hr. 32mln. lOsec. Vai 2hr. 32mln. 20sec. Betty’s crew was: Arthur Johnston (skipper), D. Beaumont, I. Watt, and J. Elliot. Avenger's crew was: George Brassel (skipper), F. Forman and H Sinclair..

THIS MORNING’S RACE

Set Down for 10 O’clock

To-day’s race is set down for 10 o’clock this morning. It will be sailed over a windward and leeward course, and wilbprobably be the same as that followed before: Shelly Bay to Coromandel buoy to Shelly Bay t oCoromandel to a finishing line off Clyde Quay Wharf. The course is not fixed finally until just before the race itself.