SANDERS CUP WIN AND A SECOND

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 113, 6 February 1937, Page 11

SANDERS CUP WIN AND A SECOND

Wellington Successes EXCITING AFTERNOON CONTEST Coleman’s Hard Luck (By Telegraph.—From “Spinnaker.”) Lyttelton, February 5. A win and an exceedingly close second in two races sailed to-day haveput great heart into the Wellington crew and supporters, and made Wellington’s Sanders Cup hopes look very rosy, although but for a fatal mistake near the end of the afternoon race—the first mistake Coleman has made in three races—there would . have been two victories over which to rejoice. Although the early morning was windless, by starting time there was a fresh three-man breeze. The Auckland skipper, apparently expecting a rising wind, had a fourth man under the deck, not revealing him till the flags were up. However, no other boar needed a fourth man. although Endeavour is so tender their four had all the work they wanted. The wind was much stronger in the afternoon, and the tide running against it worked up a short, uncomfortable sea. All the boats were four up, and the working jibs had a first outing. The spinnaker work on Lavina, which w® the cause of anxiety before the crew left Wellington, has been as good as that on any other boat in the contest. The two boats built before the lifting of the restrictions demonstrated their unmistakable superiority over the new boats built to take full advantage of the design. Led Nearly All the Way. Apart from a short initial lead when she improved her position from fourth at the start to second, Lavina led for the whole of the morning race, gaining a few seconds each leg of the course, and finishing 2.41 ahead of Colleen (Canterbury). On the first long beat Lavina was sailing much closer than the others, but not moving so fast through the water. When they split tacks at the northern side of the harbour Lavina, Colleen, and Endeavour were very close together, but after a brief contest - of short tacks up the shore Lavina emerged ahead to round the mark 18 seconds ahead of Colleen, and one nUnute ahead of Endeavour. On the run Lavina, which is not regarded as a champion off the wind, did more than expected of her, stretching her lead to 1.40. Thereafter, although Colleen chased hard, Coleman made no mistakes, and the issue never seemed in doubt. At the end of the second lap the lead had increased to 1.50. and although an unkind easterly slant of breeze drove her to leeward of the mark on the lead, she further increased her advantage to 2.4. On the wind the last time she took a further 24 seconds from the Canterbury boat, and at the end of the final run another 13 seconds, to finish comfortably a winner amid a loud burst of cheering from a large crowd ashore and on a dozen craft following the race. At a conference before the commencement of the contest it was decided to allow the carrying of the outboard spinnaker sheet around the forestay, a practice which, although common in other classes, has always been forbidden in X class races. In this morning’s race, which was the first of the contest around the triangular course, the advantage of this wag obvious, for the boats were enabled to carry the spinnaker on a lead, which would have been difficult with the spinnaker tack to windward. Afternoon Race. The afternoon race was close and exciting from the start. In a close start Lavina was fourth behind the Auckland, Southland and Canterbury boats, but at the first cross she weathered all. but Endeavour (Auckland), which hung on to the lead until near the weather mark. Lavina had a 1.6 lead from Colleen (Canterbury), which just headed Endeavour at the start of the first run, with Rawene (Southland) and Lynnette (Otago) close up. Colleen gybed and carried the spinnaker to starboard, while the others carried them to port, but halfway down the run Tissman was forced to admit his mistake and gybe again, losing much time. Both Endeavour and Rawene rapidly overhauled Lavina. the Auckland' boat being only four seconds behind round the leeward mark, Colleen as a result of gybes having been dropped baek to fourth.At the first cross Endeavour put Lavina about, but next time the Wellington boat was ahead. Canterbury rapidly made up lost ground and soon the Lavina-Colleen battle was on again and continued t 0 the end. At the top mark the second time Colleen was 9 sec. ahead, but on the run Lavina soon drew abreast. All the way downwind the lead kept changing, each crew showing remarkable ability at balancing the boat to obtain best speed in planes Just before the mark Lavina ran through to leeward and rounded Bsec. ahead. Rawene was third round, Endeavour and Lynnette being well back. On the wind the fight continued, only yards separating Larina and Colleen each time 'they crossed. Lavina reached the weather mark for the last time 35 seconds ahead, Southland a good third, Otago well back fourth, and Auckland tailing off last. On the final run Coleman made the mistake which cost him the race. Under the impression that he was to run straight for the finishing line he did the same as Tissiman in the first round, gybing and carrying the spinoaker to starboard. It was inevitable that he would have to gybe again, and meanwhile Colleen ran past to lead round the leeward mark. Coleman did everything possible, but in the few hundred yards of windward work could only get within 13 seconds of Colleen. The gun announcing Canterbury s win was greeted with frantic applause by hundreds of supporters Southland went much the best race to date to finish third, less than a minute behind Lavina. On the last short beat. Endeavour succeeded in heading off Lynnette to take fourth place 'bv 10 seconds. '