RONA'S DISQUALIFICATION

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 25, 30 January 1924, Page 8

RONA'S DISQUALIFICATION

AUCKLAND PRESS COMMENTS.

(BT TILEGIIAPH.— SPECIAL TO TBI POST.)

AUCKLAND, This Day. Commenting on the .{results ef the Sanders Cup races, the': "New Zealand Herald says: "There was, the regrettable incident of Saturday, when, after, being first heme, the Rena was disqualified. In the circumstances, it .will-per-haps oe generally allewed as fertunate that the Rona ,has proved the winner. There will certainly be continuous arguments over .the rights and wrongs of the occurrence, but nothing: to compare'with what would'-have-arisen had the deprivation of this race meant also the loss pf the cup. In one ,of the earliestcontests an acrimonipus dispute occurred, over a question of sportsmanship. Since public interest has been aroused to such an extent, it would be infinitely regrettable if it were quenched in part by recurring arguments as the annual event pccurred." ''■•■.- Referring tp th? same incident, the "Star" says: "A-careful study of the lengthy reports which' have appeared fails to indicate that the result of the race was in any way affected by the trouble at the start, -when the Rona fouled a competitor and bumped the starter's launch. The mishap was slight, and the boat that was touched did not suffer in the start, nor, did the Rona gain any advantage, the incident being purely the outcome' of crcwding on the line when getting away. Np dpubt the judges arrived at the cerrect decisien in disqualifying the Auckland boat, but the sportsmanship of those who lodged the protests _i_ # at least questionable. The Rona- has since vindicated her position, And we do not wish to overstress' the. point; but in the interests ef the future of a class ef racing that it is highly desirable te enceurage, it requires te be fointed cut that if public interest is tee _c maintained the races must be sailed in a true sporting spirit, and there must be ne captious attitude on the part of any of the competitors."