YACHTING

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 41, 18 February 1937, Page 6

YACHTING

CUP CONTESTS

LOCAL PERFORMANCES

Performances of Wellington representative yachting crews in the recent Sanders Cup contest at Lyttelton, which was won by the Lavina, and in the Cornwell Cup contest at Tauranga, were the subject of reports presented to last night's meeting of the Wellington Provincial Yacht and Motorboat Association by Mr. G. H. Tanner, manager of the Sanders Cup crew, and Mr. H. G. Stutter, manager of the Cornwell Cup crew. "In his report of the 1936 contest," said Mr. Tanner, "the manager recommended as an ideal crew in weight one man of 12 stone, two of about 10 stone, and a skipper of about 11 stone. It is interesting to note that this year's crew approximated this recommendation and for future contests I support it. Not only upon the result but upon the ; close observance of each boat, the Lavina appeared the most perfectly balanced boat in the contest.

. . . I strongly recommend that in future seasons the choosing of the boat and crew to represent the province be carried out at the earliest possible dates, thereby giving the crew every . opportunity to perfect themselves in team work, as team work is every bit as important as any other factor in gaining success. This was apparent in previous contests and more especially in Canterbury's long run of successes.

"In this year's contest the Wellington crew both individually and collectively were undoubtedly superior to the other representatives and this is attributed to their keenness and their regular practice in all weather conditions," said Mr. Tanner. The.manager placed on record his appreciation of the assistance of many helpers. Delegates expressed the thanks of the association for the work of Mr. Tanner, who in turn paid a tribute to the conduct of the crew, J. Coleman (skipper), J. Nolan (mainsheet hand), B. Williams (forward hand), and J. Sandford (fourth man). "The crew surpassed themselves and their competitors," remarked Mr. Tanner. CORNWEIX CUP CREW. Wellington's Cornwell Cup crew were the youngest the province had sent to the contest, the skipper being 14 years old>and the forward hand 12, said Mr. Stutter in his report. .They were also the lightest crew requiring 121b of ballast to make up the minimum weight of 17 stone. There were some very experienced crews at the contesbsuch as the Plimmerton crew, the winners, with four years' experience. Christchurch with five years', and Hamilton with two years', Wellington performed very creditably against them and they and Whangarei were the only competitors to finish every race. The boys lacked experience, but greatly improved with every race. ■ ■ '

•The contest was exciting from start to finish and there was an excellent variety of winds. A remarkable feature was the keenness shown by the competing crews who could be found at their boats from 5.30 a.m. onwards, preparing for the racing.