YACHTING

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 152, 24 December 1926, Page 20

YACHTING

by 'Mainsail- 1

COMING EVENTS.

February 12 —First Races Sanders and Cornwall Cups, at Lyttelton. February 14—Second Races Sanders and Corn« well Cups. February IS —Third Races Sanders and Corn* well Cups.

ON LEVEL TERMS

SEVENTH CUP TRIAL

THE ALL BLACK'S GOOD

SHOWING.

Even if it did not provide action suf« ficient for the many spectators who watched its progress, the seventh Sanders Cup trial on Saturday afternoon served to bring out one surprising fact —that where the breeze permits the use of leaders on the wind, the Wei-lesley-All Black type of boat is not inferior to the Peggy class, as so many people imagine. On the lead from the Clyde Quay Wharf to Jerningham, the All Black and Peggy were almost on terms, and under equal conditions since both were carrying leaders. The Wellcsley did well under'her leader until she was well down the harbour, when her working jib went up in its place. Thereafter her display was not out of the ordinary. A run down to Coromandel followed, and here again the All Black had the lead from the Peggy, when the mark was reached. Up to this stage the breeze had come out of the east and. the south alternately fairly steadily, but it began to drop when, the beat for the finishing- line was commenced, and the race was called off, with the All Black keeping her lead from the P*eggy, and the Wellesley fairly close behind in third place. It was now resolved to tow the boats over tp the head of Evans Bay, where a steady;" breeze was noticeable, and this was done, Mr. F. Kiernan's launch Manutai taking the' 14-footers in tow. The skippers and crews were also changed round, White handling the All Black, Crawford the Peggy, and Sterling the Wellesley. The boats were sent away; with spinnakers set before a nice south* erly and kept almost abreast for quite a while.' Then the All Black went to the front and rounded 13seo before the Peggy, with the Wellesley third. Pointing up better than the Peggy, the All Black snaffled all the wind that wag going on the beat back, and the light.weather Peggy was unable to weather her until Jerningham was only a hundred yards a.way. Th"en the All Black,' which had put up her best performance for a long time, was becalmed, and the Peggy, running into a slant, beat her to the mark. The Wellesley had hard luck with the wind at this point, but even so, had no chance of beating the others. Considering that Sterling had not previously sailed her, he did very, well, although he did not appear to be' at home in the boat. An Appeal for Funds. An earnest appeal to the sporting public to assist in the campaign for funds with which to send Wellington* challenger for the Sanders Cup and her crew to Lyttelton- in February is made in a circular which the Wellington Provincial Yacht and Motor-boat Association has issued. "The Sanders Cup is really an Australian and New Zealand event," says the circular, "and is Neir Zealand's greatest yacht race. Graceful and expensive craft from all the provinces will this year be assembled at Lyttelton in an endeavour to wrest this much-coveted soldier memorial cup from its present holders. It is believed that your provincial boat and crew will be able to bring the Cup back, and that next year the race will bo sailed in your waters. . . . Yachting is such * clean, healthy sport that we feel you will be gratified to render your assistance in an endeavour to place your province in the premier position in yachting circles." Donations towards defraying the considerable eest of sending the boat and crew to Lyttelton for the elimination races may bo sent to the association's box, No. 982. Winifred a Popular Selection. Congratulations to George Kellett and his crew on being selected to represent Otago in the Sanders Cup contest of 1927 (states a Dunedin exchange). Winifred, with the best combination of a. crew in the harbour, lias been remarkably consistent season after season, and there is probably no other boat of her size in New Zealand that has such a big total of wins to her credit. Winifred is undoubtedly, a much-improved boat since she represented Otago in the contest sailed at Auckland in 1923. Kellett, too, has shown remarkable advancement, since then, and to-day he can be placed in the lilt - of "first-class" skippers. Then there is Kellett's crew.. The two Connor* and Hill were taken in hand by the Bavensbourne lad. He trained them, and to-day Kellett has a splendid combination. A Desirable Change. While we are sorry to lose, even tot a year, such a good boat as the Avalon, it is pleasing to know that she will again be competing for the coveted trophy at the next contest,, even if she carries the colours of another province (says an Auckland writer). Messrs. M'Carthy and Gillies should be proud of their representative. It certainly wanted something in the nature of a change like this to keep alive the interest in the Cup so far as Hawkes Bay was concerned, for apart from winning the Boss Cup at the Anniversary Eegatta two years ago, the Konini nev«s got into the prize list. Notes. The well-known Auckland keel yaoMi Ladye' Wilma has been purchased by Mr. R. Lidgard, formerly owner m: Alexa and Celox. Ladye Wilma, which' is at present hauled up _in Freeman's Bay, js 40ft overall and has a beam of 9ft Gin. She is a Logan-built craft and is a fine roomy cruiser. No tiiajj will be lost in getting her ready fat, the water. The lift Jellicoe boat Eoua, owned by, Mr. C. G. Macindoe, has been seloote4 to represent Auckland in the annual contest for the Sanders Memorial Con, which will commence at Lyttelton on Saturday, 12th February. Having regard to the past record of the Bonal and her performance in the heats this season, the Selection Committee considered that no further trials were necessary (says the "New Zealand Herald"). Built in 1922 by Mr. Chair, Bailey for Mr. A. E. Gifford, who sold her about two years ■ago, the Bona has twice won the Sanders Cup. Her first success was at Auckland in 1923, when she defeated five other competitors. The next year she went to' Wellington and again won the Cup. Last year th.B Bona had to give placo to the Avalon, but the latter lost the Cup to the. Betty, representing Canterbury. Mr. J. Hutcheson's 40ft launch has been repainted royal blue with a white band on her waterline, and is a decidedly handsome acquisition to the Evans Bay Club's fleet.

The Evans Bay Club held its first picnic at Shelly Bay on Sunday, when, despite a moderate blow, a most enjoyable time was spent. Soveral boats ■were prevented from participating bjj tho weathor, those to cross the bay be^ ing. the lolanthe, Venus, Nautilus, »nJ Euna, and the launches Trixie and Nikau. Tho Wairerc 1., the lolanthe, and the launch Wai-Iti are expected to lcav« to-morrow morning for the Sounds. The Evans Bay clubhouse jetty ki' now completed, and boats oaa MMflft UynffMQ In fair comfpcU ,™*<