EXCITING YACHT RACE

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 124, 22 November 1923, Page 8

EXCITING YACHT RACE

SANDERS CUP TRIAL,

The second yachfc race in connection with the Sanders Cup selection tests was held on the harbour last' evening, and a most exciting finish resulted. The winning hoai/ was Claire, owned by Messrs. B. Clarke and D. K. Blair, which won by a few seconds from Peggy, the third boat, Eynin, being two minutes away. The skippers and crews were the same as in the previous race, sailed a few days ago. The breeze was a light southerly, which blew steadily right throughout the race, and the course was one of about eight miles—from Clyde •■Quay Wharf .to " the Coromandel buoy (off the Pipitea, Whaf) and back to the starting line, twice round. The boats got away well together, and glided around the Coromandel buoy in a close procession, Eynin having the lead, followed by Claire. Then came the real test or seamanship, as the boats turned to beat back to the starting line. Handling his boat skilfully, Mr. A: Johnston, m charge of Claire, took the lead, rounding the home buoy 3min 6sec ahead of Eynm and 4min Msec ahead of the third contestant, Peggy. After the 'turn Olaire raced merrily away, and the result appeared to be a foregone conclusion. Claire had increased her lead from Eynin by a minute on rounding the Coromandel buoy, and was smin 22 sec ahead of Peggy. After the turn for home, Peggy and Claire took a long board towards Evans Bay, while Eynin stood well in towards the Pipitea Wharf Uaire was maintaining her distance. But soon the steady breeze dwindled, ■"I £ 8?? was Bailin 8 in her element when both vessels turned up the harbour on a direct run to the final line. Nearer and nearer crept Peggy, while speculation and excitement were rife on the wharf. The two boats were not 50 yards from the line, when, the breeze again freshened, and Claire shot ahead, lhis advantage won her the race, and v ? ros f sed the line barely 15 seconds ahead of Peggy. Eynin was some two minutes away._J Peggy and Claire have now won a race each. A third test will-be sailed next Saturday. Mr. W Duncan was starter, and Messrs. W. Duncan and D. Wall were the judges.