AUCKLAND YACHT WINS AGAIN

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 109, 1 February 1941, Page 12

AUCKLAND YACHT WINS AGAIN

Second Sanders Cup Race TASSIE LOSES GROUND BY SHIFT OF WIND Dominion’ Special Service. AUCKLAND, January 31. Sailed in a fresh south-westerly breeze, the second Sanders Cup race was also won by the Auckland boat Caress by two minutes two seconds from t he" Canterbury contender Ajax. Wellington’s Tassie was third, one minute two seconds astern of Ajax, and Wampa (Otago) fourth. The light crew of lite South Canterbury boat, Gallina, had trouble holding iter up and were again hist. ’Che course was triangular. three times round. This would have given tile boats a bear out. a run and a load, but the wind shifted after the start and the last leg Wits also a run Canterbury wore first away, closely followed bv Otago. Auckland and Wellington, with South Canterbury astern. All worked short boards up the southern shore and the tide, which had just turned, did not have any effect either way. Gallina was to windward and though, when they got clear of the breastwork. Wampa and Ajax weathered Auckland. Gallina in turn weathered Wellington and Auckland. putting Wampa about. Ajax was dear. . , . All made a long board up the harbour. with Gallina in the windward position and Wampa, Ajttx, lassie and Caress in that order. However, Caress stood up to the hard conditions best and when she went about to fetch the mark she weathered the rest. Wampa put Tassie about right on the line, both rounding together. Caress and Ajax made a great sight planing at terrific speed to the other two marks. Tassie. sailing better, had her spinnaker drawing well and passed Wampa on the run. Auckland were five seconds ahead of Canterbury at the mark and Wellington about three ahead of Otago. With the tide running out strongly Kogers kept the Auckland boat on the edge of the channel, forcing Canterbury out into the strong current. 'Tassie again worked the southern shore on short boards and thereby found several good lifts ami looked to be gaining on the leaders. A heavy’ rainsquall struck Tassie first and drove all to leeward, but Tassie was still in a 'good position. A slight change of wind enabled Auckland and Canterbury to regain the loss to leeward and Caress rounded 38 seconds ahead of Ajax with Tassie two minutes fourteen seconds astern. Effect of Wind Shifting. There was little difference on the run down, though Ajax gained on Caress. These two again stood out in the centre and 'Tassie worked close inshore again. A shift of wind proved invaluable to Caress and Ajax, both laying the top mark in one board, with -IO seconds between them. Tassie had gained four seconds on Ajax and. but for the shift of wind, would have been with the leaders. Auckland still held a commanding lead, which was further increased when Ajax lost her spinnaker sheet nearing the leeward mark. The large gathering of spectators lining the shore gave Caress and Ajax a great ovation as they crossed the finishing line.

Elapsed times for the course were: Caress (Auckland) : I hour 41 minutes 47 seconds;- Ajax (Canter bury 1 hour 43 minutes 49 seconds; Tassie (Wellington) 1 hour 44 minutes 51 seconds; Wampa (Otago) 1 hour 40 minutes 7 seconds; Gallina (South Canterbury) 1 hour 49 minutes 35 seconds. Positions on the points tabic are. Auckland G2; Otago IS: Canterbury 18: Wellington 14; South Canterbury The third race will be sailed tomorrow, over a windward and leeward course, starting at 10 o clock.