WIN FOR OTAGO

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 112, 4 February 1933, Page 13

WIN FOR OTAGO

Sanders Cup Contest AVALON’S GREAT RACE Lavina Loses Buoy’s Position Dominion Special Service. Christchurch, Feb. 3. Sailed at Lyttelton this afternoon under ideal yachting conditions, the fourth race for the Sanders Cup was won by the Otago boat Avalon. A fresh breeze from the north-east, with a moderate sea, prevailed, and it was the first race of the series in which flukey conditions did not obtain at some stage. Ivan McGrath, the Otago skipper, sailed a great race, and entirely redeemed himself after his performance in the previous races. The Auckland boat Idler was running in second position for the greater part of the distance, but was finally overtaken by Avenger, which put up a fine performance in the last round. Avenger and Lavina lost their positions in the first round through mistaking the position of the Battery Point buoy, which was much further toward Ripa Island than previously seen. After the race both Brassell and Blair said they expected to find the buoy a mile away from where it was. The first they knew of its position was when they saw Avalon break her spinnaker after rounding. Both skippers were amused at their mistake, and expressed pleasure in Otago’s win. Wellington now has two wins and Canterbury and Otago one win each. The course was a triangular one, and all boats carried three-men crews. The boats were sent away at 2.30 on a leading start, all carrying leading jibs. Idler, Lavina, Avenger, and Avalon crossed in close order. Idler failed to make Sticking Point, and came about off the time ball. Crossing tacks off Diamond Harbour, Avalon just failed to weather Lavina, but weathered Avenger. " • Buoy's Position Lost. Idler made another short board off Sticking Point, and thou went about for Buckley’s Bay, with Lavina and Avenger following. Avskm, breaking tacks frequently, was making good time down the middle of the harbour. On crossing tacks in the bay. Idler passed to the lee of Lavina and Avenger. It was here that Lavina and Avenger mistook the position of the buoy and got left behind. It was a fast run for the Pier buoy. Avenger picked up on Lavina and Avalon dropgpd 19sec. of her lead on the run. The first round was finished at the following times: —Avalon, 3hr. Twin. 23sec.; Idler," 3hr. lOmin. 23sec.; Lavina, 3br. 12min. lOsec.; Avenger, 3hr. 12min. 13 sec. „

Avalon was nearly up to the Quarry buoy when. Lavina and Avenger rounded the Pier buoy. Both were well flattened out as they gybed around the mark. Avenger overhauled and passed Lavina on the lead for Quarry buoy, all exchanging leaders for working jibs before rounding. The order at the Quarry buoy for the second time was Avalon, Idler, Avenger, and Lavina. Avalon and Idler worked short hoards as far as Purau Point. Avenger and Lavina made a long starboard tack toward Sticking Point, but came about when two-thirds of the distance across, and commenced working the middle of the harbour. Avalon and Idler came out from Purau Point, crossing a long way ahead of the other two. Avenger Improves I’osifion. Avenger was improving her position, and had picked up a minute at Battery Point buoy. Avalon turned the mark with 2min. 44see. to spare on Idler. The latter was linin. 56scc. in front of Avenger, and Lavina rounded 58sec. after the Canterbury boat. There was no change of position on the run, and the second round was completed as follows: —Avalon, 3br. 43 min. 29sec.; Idler, 31ir. 46miu. 13s.ee.; Avenger. 3hr. 47miu. 35sec.; Lavina, 3hr. 49niiu. 2see. Brassell risked his spinnaker forward on a broad lead for the Quarry mark, and Avenger travelled across at a great rate. She had shaken off Lavina, and it ■began to look as if the Canterbury boat had a chance at the turn. Avalon still had a substantial lead of 2min. 42sec. on Idler, but Avenger -was only 54see. behind the Auckland boat. Lavina rounded 2min. 19sec. after Avenger. ~ Avalon again worked short boards up Purau Point before standing out into the harbour. The others worked further out off Sticking Point. Avenger, sailing beautifully on the wind, weathered Idler and put her about. Avenger rounded ,4min. 39sec. behind the Otago boat, Idler being only 3sec. away. Lavina was 3min. 45sec. after Idler.

With only the run for the finishing line to make, Avalon had only to keep moving to win. The boats were running very fast at the completion. With Avenger overhauling Avalon the finish was: Avalon (Otago), 4hr. lOmiji. 41sec.; Avenger (Canterbury). 4br. 22miu. 32sec.: Idler (Auckland), 4hr. 23min. 26sec.; Lavina (Wellington), 41ir. 27min. 25scc.