FOUR BOATS CAPSIZE IN TWO MINUTES

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 99, 20 January 1939, Page 11

FOUR BOATS CAPSIZE IN TWO MINUTES

Cornwell Cup Contest

AUCKLAND WINS THIRD RACE

The strong north-westerly wind and surf at Plimmerton yesterday morning made the tibird race the most exciting of the series so far held for the Cornwell Cup, four of tlie boats capsizing within two minutes when nearing the leeward mark the first time. Only four boats finished, Auckland winning by Imin. 32sec. from Otago. Tauranga was third, and Manukau fourth. Wellington has two wins to its credit, and Auckland one. The first crew to win three races will be awarded the trophy. ’ The course was a short windward ami leeward one from the Plimmerton clubhouse to a buoy in Maori Bay, to another in Karehana Bay, twice round, finishing off the clubhouse. There was a strong north-west wind blowing when the race started at 11.15 a.m., and all boats were reefed down. . . . t „ Tauranga crossed the line first, followed by Auckland, Paremata, Wellington. Otago, Plimmerton, Wanganui, and Manukau in that order. Auckland moved into first place on the beat to Maori Bay, ami rounded the mark first 30see. ahead of Otago. Wellington and Tauranga were next. Some distance back were Plimmerton and Paremata in fifth and sixth places respectively. ■ There were some ' exciting moments when Tauranga set their spinnaker, the strong wind broke the spinnaker boom and the boat nearly ran into the rocks Paremata also hoisted a spinnaker, and were able to carry it successfully lor some time. Breaking Surf.

A breaking surf combined with the heavy wind caused trouble between the clubhouse and the mark in Karehana Bay. The skipper of the Otago boat, 1. Cainp, was thrown overboard, but managed to haul himself ou board again. Almost immediately after the Plimmerton boat, which was travelling very last, made a spectacular nose-dive, burying nearly half of its forward part. At the same time the forward hand. Casey, y as thrown from the stern of the boat against the mast, skinning his leg. Thirty seconds later Paremata and Wellington also 'nose-dived. Shooting toward the mark ou the breakers the boats provided a thrilling sight for the spectators. Auckland was first round, followed by Otago and Tauranga. . , ... Wanganui, still running down with spinnaker set, provided further excitement when the boat, almost lifted out of the water by the wind, heeled over dangerously. She was righted, but capsized immediately. Auckland had by this time established o good lead. Otago was m second place with Tauranga and Manukttu, well separated, in third and fourth positions respectively. 'The finishing times and plaeings were : Auckland, 11.53.0 [ Otago, 11.54.32 - 'Tauranga,. 11.57.20 Manukau, 12.4.25 4

A launch went out. to tow the 'Wanganui boat in, but. when returning a rope fouled the propeller. The launch had to be rowed to shore. Meantime, the Plimmerton, Paremata and Wellington crows were sitting on the bottom of their boats with surf breaking round them. Manukau crossed the finishing line, then went to the rescue of the Wellington and Pareinata crews, making a very slow journey back to the clubhouse with six on board. The crew was warmly applauded for its action. The Pliuimei'ton crew was brought ashore by a dinghy. Several attempts were made by Messrs. M. Crawford, T. Reynolds, L. R. Ward, P. Tanner and others to rescue the boats, but the heavy sea and strong wind prevented them"succeeding. Both the Wellington and Paremata boats were left upside down in Karehana Bay with an anchor to stop them from drifting on to the rocks. The Plimmerton boat was blown across io Bar Bay, where it was hauled on to the beach. Because of the unfavourable conditions further attempts at salvaging the boats were left till the weather moderated. Noleen, which was sailed by PJimmerton, had her deck badly emashed, and the boat sailed by Paremata, Manahau, had the mast box riped out and the deck damaged. Neither of the boats, which were "taken to the content by Paremata and Wellington respectively, will be able to be used for racing today. Instead, Billie Bay, Plimmerton. and Torment, Evans Bay, will be used. The gear of several of the other boats was also damaged, but will be repaired in time for the raqing today. „ Further racing will be held at I lim merton today, if.the weather is suitable.

SANDERS CUP CONTEST

First Race Postponed Till Today

By Telegraph—Press Association.

INVERCARGILL, January 19. After.a meeting of delegates at .1 p.m. it was decided to postpone the first race iu the Sanders Cup yacliting contest till 9.30 a.m. tomorrow becausp of boisterous weather. Last night a civic reception was tendered the delegates and competing crews by the mayor of Bluff, who expressed the hope that the weather would improve and that the fixture would be an outstanding success. He referred to the sportsmanship of the Wellington association m allowing the contest to be held in South-

land waters, and said that local enthusiasts were trying to reciprocate by giving every assistance to the centennial contest next year. The six competing boats _ and crews have now arrived. The Wellington representative was lauded safely from the Maungajiui yesterday in a heavy wind, and the Lavina was brought across from Stewart Island by the Tamatea. _ At a conference held after the civic reception delegates were present from Otago, Southland and Stewart Island. - It was decided that the first race be sailed over a windward and leeward course, the second race ovei a triangular course, and the following races conducted at the discretion of the course judges. A motion was moved that the 1J39 contest be sailed as previously, the first boat to score three wins to win the contest, but it was decided to recommend each association to consider adopting in future the Campbell Cup pointe system used in Wellington. It was decided to ask each association to notify Mr. Beanlaiyl of its opinion, by March 31.