SANDERS CUP RACE

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 26, 31 January 1923, Page 9

SANDERS CUP RACE

LEG-IN FOR CANTERBURY.

(II m!«IUrH.—MtESI ASMCUTISN.)

AUCKLAND, 30th January. The first race for the Sanders Cup was sailed to-day over a windward and leeward course of nine miles. The contestants and skippers were: Murihiku. (Southland), T. Bragg; Linnet (Canterbury), S. Sinclair; Eynin -i(Wellington), E. Bailey; Winifred (Otago), G. Kellett; Rona (Auckland), : A. E. Matthews. Right until the finish the issue was in doubt. Within a few seconds of the line it looked as if Winifred would win, but' by a smart bit of work Linnet crossed the line 9 seconds ahead of Winifred.

The race started at 2' p.m. A moderate southerly breeze was blowing, and the tide was at the flood. Rona crossed the line just ahead)of Eynin, which had a slight advantage over Murihiku and Linnet. Five minues after the start Murihiku took the lead, i Murihiku and Winifred increased their lead, and when they entered . Hobson Bay, Winifred passed Murihiku. The wind drew slightly ahead out of the bay, but both boats had some trouble with their spinnakers. A soft patch was then experienced. Linnet was fortunate in carrying the breeze from astern, and came tearing along at a great pace. She passed Murihiku, but was replaced shortly afterwards by tho Southland boat.' In the meanwhile, Rona's spinnaker gave her crew a lively few seconds. The breeze was now steady and all were making good headway. Winifred led round the sandspit, Murihiku, Linnet, Rona, and Eynin followins within three minutes. At North Head Winifred was passed by Murihiku, and Linnet dropped a little 'further astern. Rounding the Ranjjitoto Channel mark, Murihiku led from Winifred. It was a beat to the King'e Wharf, and an getting round the buoy all flood on the port track except Eynin, which carried on on the starboard tack. Winifred was first round, followed by Murihiku and Rona. Linnet stood well inshore towards North Head before breaking tacks. Murihiku and Linnet were sailing a little freer than the other boats. Rona. doin? better on the wind, crossed to windward of Linnet. Murihiku was now well to windward of Winifred, which stood across, the harbour on the starboard tack. Eynin was a long way astern. .At the sandspit, Murihiku was leading Rona by lmiD sseo, the latter having passed Winifred after rounding the North Head. Linnet headed the Rona off Point Resolution. The times on. completion of the first round were : Murihiku, 3hr 32min lOsec; Winifred, 3hr 32min 13sec; Linnet, 3hr 33min 46sec; Rona, 3hr 33min 52eec; .Eynin, 3hr 38min 44sec.

On' the run to the Bandspit the Eona and Murihiku set their spinnakers. There was no change in the position in the run down the harbour, and at the beacon for tlia beat back again, the times were: Winfred, 3hr 55min 4sec; Murihiku, 3hr 55min 22sec; Linnet, 3hr 55min 38sec; Rona, 3hr 56min 96ec; Eynin, 3hr 58min 40sec.

All stood on the starboard tack, and then came back on the port except Murihiku, which carried on right across tho harbour, falling back five seconds to fourth. Up till ithen' Murihiku looked like the winner, as the conditions suited her. Winifred and Linnet were fighting it out, and ricrht up till the finish the issue remained in doubt. Winifred, however, appeared to have the better chance, but she failed to make the mark, as did Linnet, and when they both broke tacks .-ucav Lii nel, weathbre'i Winifred, and «:-is,s«d the line the winner. The times were: Linnet, 4hr 14min 25sec,' 1; Winifred, 4hr 14min 34sec, 2; Rona, 4hr 15min 30sec, 3 ; Murihiku. 4hr 18min 34sec, 4; Eynin, 4hr 25min 20sec, 5.