CORNWELL CUP RACES

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 105, 27 January 1933, Page 11

CORNWELL CUP RACES

Second to Auckland; Third to Wellington CONTEST AT LYTTELTON Dominion Special Service. Christchurch, Jun. 26. The second and third races for the Cornwell Cup were sailed at Lyttelton to-day. The morning race was won by Auckland and the afternoon race went to Wellington- The weather was again unsatisfactory for sailing, the morning race being mostly a drifting match, the Auckland crew showing. to advantage in working in the light airs. In the afternoon,'there was a very light north-easterly wind, fluky at times. Wellington sailed a great race, leading nearly from the start, and although challenged by Lyttelton in the second round, were just a little too good for the local crew. The Dunedin manager changed his boys over for the afternoon race, Spratt taking Walker’s place at the tiller, but the change did not appear to be to Dunedin’s advantage. The morning race was over a triangular course. There was scarcely any wind —just a light air from the south-west —and the boats had to be towed out to the starting line. An Even Start. There was an even start. Auckland, Wellington, Porirua. Lyttelton. Plimmerton, Dunedin, Christchurch, aud Manukau crossing the line iu that order. With spinnakers up, the boats moved away practically in line, some having difficulty in avoiding each other. At Officer’s Point, Plimmerton went into the lead by two lengths from. Dunedin, with Manukau, Lyttelton, Christchurch, Wellington, Porirua, and Auckland following in a bunch. Auckland, in-shore, picked up a little wind, and crept up to the front, but to leeward. Passing Sticking Point. Dunedin, Auckland, Plimmerton, and Manukau were in the first bunch, with Christchurch, Wellington, and Lyttelton 100 yards astern, and Porirua away over in-shore. Wellington in gybing around Sticking Bent Buoy turned too close, and was carried against the buoy by the tide. Her mainsheet caught around the flagstaff of the buoy, and she hung there for a minute, completely blocking Manukau, Christchurch, and Porirua, four boats hanging in a bunch. As the rope cleared, Lyttelton slipped in between the bunch and the buoy and took fourth place. Wellington retired. Auckland’s Tactics. Auckland, instead of gybing for the next mark, Pier Buoy, stood on up the harbour, the others turning direct for the mark. It appeared at first that Field made a mistake, but the result showed that his judgment was right. Coming about off the moles, he was able to hoist his spinnaker, and run for the mark with an increased lead on the others. Auckland were half-way down to Sticking Point, while the others were drifting in a bunch. Near the pier Auckland lost the wind, and the others moved up on her. When the north-easter came away, Auckland were well to windward, which gave them an increased advantage. The breeze freshened, and the boats for the first time in the race began really to move. With 15 minutes to go it appeared as if the time-limit of three hours would be exceeded, but Auckland finished with minutes iu hand. Finisjiing times are:— hr. mln. sec. Auckland 1 4 45 Christchurch ........ 1 17 36 Lyttelton 1 19 15 The others were not timed. Afternoon Race The course in the afternoon was a windward aud leeward one, with a start on the wind. There was a light northeasterly breeze, and it smooth sea. Lyttelton crossed right at gunflie, with Manukau, Auckland, Porirua, and Christchurch alongside. Wellington was late in crossing, and Dunedin and Plimmerton were more than two minutes behind. The wind freshened, and the backmarkers moved up, with the exception of Dunedin, who made the mistake of standing in to the pier, and losing the wind. Wellington took the lead, with Lyttelton close behind, and Manukau and Auckland handy. Wellington increased their lead and rounded the windward mark ahead, of Lyttelton, Manukau, Porirua, Christchurch, Auckland, Plimmerton and Dunedin. Wellington Increases Lead. It was a light run for the lee mark, Wellington increasing her lead slightly at first, then Lyttelton caught more wind and closed up. Auckland overtook Christchurch, ami the first round was completed with the boats in the following order: Wellington, Lyttelto.n Manukau, Porirua, Auckland, Christchurch, Plimmerton, Dunedin.

Wellington, Lyttelton and Manukau went away on a long board to port, others working short boards. Lyttelton were doing better on the wind and once looked like weathering Wellington. Plimmerton went np into fifth position after rounding the windward buoy. Dunedin retired. Wellington aud Lyt-

telton maintained their respective positions on the final run, but there were several changes among the others. Wellington was Imin. 47sec ahead of Lyttelton at the pile, on the beat for the finish. Lyttelton improved its position. Plimmerton was then third, but right on the finishing line was beaten by Christchurch for third place Finishing times: —

Lyttelton, Aucklaiiil and M’ellington have now each gained one win in the contest.. Tlie rules provide that the contest shall be awarded to the first crew io win three races.

Tile crews who are taking part in the contest are (the skipper being mentioned first in each case) : —Lyttelton : R. Hendry and S. Sillars. Auckland: V. O. Field and F. R. Bell-Booth. Christchurch : 0. White and T. Bassett. Manukau: D. McLeod and D. T. H. Donovan. Otago: E. W. Walker and A. J. Spratt. Pareniata: 11. Parkin and J. Coleman. Plimmerton: K. Pickering and IT. 11. Redward. Wellington : R. Julian and J. Nolan.

hr. min. see. Wellington .... :n; 0 Lvttelton . 20 Christchurch r. 45 55 Pliinmertou ... 4G 0 Porirua ■“I 4G 8 Auckland ..... "j 47 0 Jtanukau 3 47 20