Yachting

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 145, 16 December 1933, Page 24

Yachting

By "Miinnil."

STRONG COMBINATION

SANDERS GUP SELECTION

Z CLASS CHAMPIONSHIP

This season there appears to be a general feeling of confidence in Wellington that N. D. Blair and his crew in the Lavina will play a prominent part in the Sanders Cup contest at Lyttelton. Blair very nearly succeeded with the Lavina in the last contest at Lyttelton, and with his experience of cup racing on tho same -waters he should be able to hold his own without much trouble. He has been given a sound crew, and provided that he has reasonable luck, no more and no less than the others, ho should acquit himself well. There is no doubt that the three eelectors, Messrs. L. Eobertson, E. w. Hargreaves, and R. Kcrr, did everything possible to arrive at a fair and logical conclusion. Their report, presented to the association on Wednesday night, was painstaking and constractive, as the following extracts will show:— "It is. interesting to note in connection with the Lavina that she was the only boat to go through the trials without mishap to hull or gear. It is also worthy of note that had last Saturday afternoon's race been an'actual Sanders Cup race the Lavina would have been the only boat to complete the course. Consequently it cannot be impressed too strongly on skippers that the constant inspection of both hull and gear is absolutely necessary for consistent performance." Regarding the choice of -P. Harlen, skipper of the Betty, as niainsheet hand, tho report stated: "Our choice of Harlen was governed by the following reasons We deemed it advisable to build up, if possible, material for future representation by giving one or other of the two unseleeted skippers (both of whom have shown such good forni in the present trials) the opportunity of gaining as much experience as possible of the actual contests. Owing to Blair weighing 11J stone it was necessary to select a light man. In this respect Harlen is admirable, as he weighs only 9 stone., .In the ease of McKenzie (skipper of the Avalon), however, his weight, 11 stone, would under the present circumstances make his inclusion impossible. We are satisfied that Harlen can do justice to the position.'' In conclusion, the report made the following general comment on the trials: "We desire to place on record our appreciation of the fine spirit of sportsmanship exhibited by all .concerned throughout the trials, this being particularly exemplified prior to the trial in which the crews of the Betty and the Lavina were transposed.. The crews in question could not have gone to more trouble in explaining to each other the details of the gear of. their respective boats."