YACHTING

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 22, 26 January 1929, Page 20

YACHTING

Br "MAINSAII"

CUP CANDIDATE

THE CLYDE SELECTED

EXPECTED TO DO WELL

It is ironical that one of the boats, which was to have been eliminated from the local Sanders Cup trials, should be selected to represent the provinco at Akaroa. Up to the point when Mr. F. \V. Franco made the decision,-which was to have such far-reaching effects, the Clyde certainly had done nothing to justify her being further tried out. That she should have shown such marked improvement in the remaining races orjly goes to prove that a new. boat needs a lot of handling before her proper trim can bo ascertained.- Always, in the last few races, interest centred on the doings of the Clyde and the All .Black. The Wellosley 11. also came in for close attention, and she sailed better with N. D. Blair at the tiller than she has done for some tinie.

The Clydo is a boat with a lightweather reputation, although she ia capable of holding her own in a breeze, and if the conditions at Akaroa are to her liking, she will be a hard boat to beat. It is not merely that she has impressed the selector above all the others; she has revealed sailing qualities which stamp her as well worthy to represent the province. In former years Wellington has always challenged in vain for the, Sanders Cup. .Now, at last, the prospects of success are bright. N. Eountree, the Clyde's skipper, knows all there is to be known about the boat. 'In addition, he has had considerable cxperieneo of sailing at the contests,* having been one of the Wellington crew four times in succession. This experience will stand him in good stead, and with a good crew to assist him, he can be relied upon to get the best out of the Clyde. Auckland's Challenger. Both Auckland and Wellington, have been unfortunate this season in having trouble with their Sanders Cup, trials. If anything, the northern city seems to have fared worse than Wellington ia this respect. There was a considerable delay before the trials were commenced, and when a start was finally made, only; three races were held before the selection of the Avalon as the Auckland challenger. This was the signal for a wholesale criticism of the selectors. The owner of the Val and tho Ron a (Mr. C. G. Macindoe) announced that, ho was "fed up" with the trials, and that ho was getting out of the whole .thing while matters continued in such a farcical state. It seemed to him that the selectors had made up their minds that the Avalon was. to represent Auckland at this year's contest, even before tho commencement of the trials. It was a loss of prestigo to him, he declared, to remain associated with men' who were managing the sport in that unsatisfactory manner. Mr. Macindoo said that he was absolutely convinced tho Yal,- if adequately tried out, in all winds, would show superiority over the Avalon. Yet she was not given a fair chance to prove her worth. The skipper of tho Val (A. Matthews) also questioned the selection of tho Avalon, considering it was impossible for the selectors to say that she was tho best boat on the three trials held. Ho thought it would be fair to extend the series to five races. In view of this protest, tho Selection Committee held a special meeting, at which it was decided that further trials were not necessary. The members said they were satisfied that the Avalon was the best boat, although she was not superior to an outstanding degree to either of the, others. A Series of Mishaps. The stiff northerly and moderate sea on Tuesday provided a marked contrast to the conditions which have usuallyruled in the past for the Anniversary Day regatta. In former years, the 'weather was so light that many of the starters were becalmed, and consequently finished very late, but on Tuesdayeven the keelers had all the wind their crews could wish for, while the centreboarders should never havo been sent out in the afternoon when the wind freshened to half a gale. Under sucli conditions, it was inevitable that accidents should occur. Five of the centreboarders went over, the Sylvia during the progress of a race, and the Shirley, Wellesley 11., Banshee, and Ngaio-as they were making for the Boat Harbour after their respective events. Unsuccessful endeavours were made to attract the attention of those taking part in. the launch race, and some delay resulted before assistance was obtained from the launches in tho Boat Harbour. It was not an ideal day for racing, by any moans; but the spectators wore given their full share of thrills while watching the rescues being made. In one or two cases, assistance came to hand just in time. The races for the Takapuna boats and outboardors were very wisely postponed. Had they been sent-out, and it is doubtful whether their, crews would have gone out, a further series of mishaps could have been expected;A remarkable incident occurred during one of the races for keelers. . One yacht came into collision with another, without inflicting any damage, but her bowsprit picked up a member of the latter Js crew as neatly as if he had been caught in the hook of a crane. ;In the excitement which followed the collision, tho incident escaped attention, until those on the first yacht found that they had a stranger aboard. The yachtsman swung himself up into safety and an explanation was forthcoming. He was promptly enlisted as a member of the crew. Masport Cup Retained. Great interest was taken in the racing for the Masport Cup for speed boats at the .Wanganui Regatta/ on Tuesday. Commenting on the race, the 'Wanganui Chronicle" says that'there was only ono boat in it—J. and J; She leapt out from a good starts-establish-ed a big load on her three competitors, and held it to tho cud. The competing boats were: One Step, J. and J., Little Jim, and Hobo. Miss Cleveland wa3 ineligible, not being fitted with a clutch. Little Jim came to grief after completing three-quarters of a lap, stripping her gears. J. and J. was splendidly handled, and made the turns cleanly without losing ■ time on the course. It was noticeable, however, that her euginc was not running as smoothly as usual, an occasional miss breaking the rythmic purr. Hobo put up a consistent performance, her en* gine running with a steadiness "whici contrasted with that of the higher-pow-ered J. and J. One Step lost ground in every lap, and Sid not develop smoothness in running until towards the final stages. As lap succeeded lap it was evident that J. and J., barring accidents, could not be beaten, and she finished with half a lap to tho good ou Hobo, with One Stop, well back, third. This is the third year in succession that J. and J. has won this coveted trophy, annexing it in 1927 and 1928. In 1925 the cup was won by Fleetwing Junior, and in 1926 by Miss Virginia.