WIN FOR KITTY

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 105, 28 January 1938, Page 13

WIN FOR KITTY

First Sanders Cup Race CONVINCING SAILING Blair Leads For Most Of Course (By Telegraph —Prews Association.) Dunedin, January 27. Leaving her opponents well in the rear once she took the lead half-way through the first round, the Wellington defender, Kitty, capably handled by her skipper, Nigel Blair, won the first race of the 1938 Sanders Cup contest this afternoon in convincing fashion. Sailed over a windward and leeward course in a fresh north-easterly breeze, which whipped up a fair sea, the race was an interesting one only until the Challis buoy was rounded, and after that Kitty simply increased her lead at every mark. Otago’s challenger, Eileen, which has previously won the cup, took second place from Canterbury’s Manibi after leading on the first beat to the windward mark. Overlaying the buoy, however, Cuthbert allowed Kitty to round first and so lost a valuable opportunity or starting the long run in first place. After making a mistake at the end of the first round the Canterbury boat lost second position, which she held at the time, and failed to make up the ground she gave away. She finally beat the Southland boat for third place by only eight seconds. Auckland's challenger, Aileen, a lightweather boat, was last practically all the way. She did not sail the best course in the first round and was a long way behind the remainder of the fleet. The race was started promptly at 2.30 in the presence of a large crowd of spectators on the wharves and at vantage points on the Otago Peninsula. Finishing times were: — Wellington (Kitty), 4hr. 1-lmiu. 17sec. 1 Otago (Eileen), 4,18,21 2 Canterbury (Manihi), 4.19,32 .... 3 Southland (Lavina), 4.19.40 4 Auckland (Aileen), 4.25.30 5 The next race will be started al 10 a.m. to-morrow on a triangular course. RACE DESCRIBED Kitty Takes Lead At First Mark Dominion Special Service. Dunedin, January 27. The Auckland boat was first across the line in an excellent start, being closely followed by Canterbury, Otago, Wellington, and Southland in that order. All the boats went across on the starboard tack, Otago holding the weather position. Canterbury was first about, Southland tollowing a few seconds later, but the other three eraft held on close to the wharf. Blair, at the tiller of Kitty, even made a short board in an endeavour to gain the windward position, but Eileen was to weather of him on the long board over to the peninsula. Cuthbert held his position, with Wellington next, but Southland and Canterbury were well to leeward. The Auckland representative was first about, the others holding on until they were close under the lee of the peninsula, and when Canterbury finally changed tacks Eileen was to weather of Wellington. Auger, skipper of Aileen, worked the peninsula side of the harbour on the long beat down to Challis mark, but he gained no advantage from the falling tide. The rest of the fleet were out on a mid-channel course, leaving the Auckland boat well behind.

Kitty Slips Through. Otago, Wellington and Canterbury staged a grand tussle as they worked down the .harbour, Cuthbert’s knowledge of the course standing him in good stead as he strove to keep his slight lead over Kitty. As they laid the mark he was still in the weather position, with Kitty and Manihi fighting it out board for boat'd. Brasell, in the Canterbury 14-footer, made a short board, apparently not being high enough up, and Cuthbert covered him, both boats overlaying the buoy. Blair took Kitty from under their ice and rounded first about 22sec. ahead of Eileen, with the Canterbury craft only lOsec. behind. Lavina, last year’s winner, followed nearly 2min. later, Auckland being last. With the exception of Aileen all spinnakers were smartly set for the run down to the Kitchener Street pile, and Blair, keeping his craft beautifully trimmed, planed aloug at great speed, increasing his lead every minute. Alanihi gradually overhauled Eileen and took second place before Castle Beacon was passed. ' Southland and Auckland were well back at the Kitchener Street pile, where the official placings were taken. Positions were as follows: —Wellington, 3hr. 20min.-; Canterbury, 3br. 2lmin. sscc.; Otago, 3hr. 21min. Usee.; Southland, 3hr. 22min. ssec.; Auckland, 3hr. 23min. 15sec.

At this stage it was apparent that un-

less Kitty struck trouble she had the race well in hand. The Canterbury skipper made a mistake when he failed to cross the starting line between the buoy and Victoria Wharf, ami was recalled, losing valuable seconds. Eileen was thus given second place, while Lavina just weathered Manihi as she came round the starting buoy. Wellington had a substantial lead as she beat over to the peninsula, but Eileen, sailing well, reduced the distance considerably on the next board. Kitty held on to the weather position, however, and gradually pulled away again. As they approached Challis Buoy for the second time she gybed round smartly, set her spinnaker quickly, and started off on the last run about three minutes ahead of Otago. Canterbury and Southland followed close together, with Auckland still last. Kitty Stretches Out. Kitty continued to gain ground on the run and rounded the Kitchener Street pile 3min. 55sec. in front of Eileen, Can--terbury following Imin. 30sec. later. Southland was close behind, with the Auckland boat—planing beautifully at this stage—still last.' Two short boards took Kitty to the finishing line, which she crossed 4min. 4sec. ahead of Eileen. Canterbury was in third place, Imin. llsec, later, and eight seconds ahead of Southland. Auckland finished 4min. 50sec. after Southland.