RONA WINS TWO RACES BY SECONDS ONLY

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 139, 10 December 1923, Page 8

RONA WINS TWO RACES BY SECONDS ONLY

PROVES FAST ON THE WIND. .;. (BY TSXIGIUPH.—PItESS, ASSOCIATION.) AUCKLAND, 9th December. ■Rona again scored a double win in the test races to decide on a defender for the Sanders Cup. The first course was a triangular one, a westerly wind afiprding a fair test •on all points of sailing. The competitors were. Eona, Queen March, and Joan. From a good start, Rona drew slowly ahead of Joan, rounding the first mark three seconds ahead. of Queen March ; rounding the Becpnd mark Rona led by 15 seconds frpm Queen March, Joan tuning five seconds later.. On the beat.back to the starting ppint Rona showed her old form .on the wind, beating Queen March by 68 seconds, Joan being another 72 seconds astern. .In the second test the cpurse was a windward and leeward pne. Rona' was first away frpm a very good start, followed by Joan, Queen March being to windward. Rona slowly worked ahead, but Queen March crossed her, when they broke tacks. Rona'rounded the weather mark 28 seconds ahead of Queen March, who was five seconds ahead pf Joan. All set Bpinnakers to starboard for the long rim against the tide to the finishing line. Off the western wall Rona had a lead of 34 seconds from Queen March, who was 10 seconds ahead of Joan. Rona cphtinued to lead, but Queen March and Joan caught her a little. Hearing the finishing line, Joan ran up on Queen jrfarch, and passed the post one second ahead of her. Rona won by twenty seconds.