CENTENNIAL HOPE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 132, 7 June 1939, Page 17

CENTENNIAL HOPE

AUCKLAND REGATTAS

BOATS FROM ABROAD

THE EIGHTEEN FOOTERS

(By Telegraph —Press Association.) AUCKLAND. June 6. One of the outstanding features of the Centennial regattas to be held, at Auckland early next year will be the world sailing championship for 18-foot boats. In view of the tremendous interest aroused in Auckland last February, when three of the fastest of the Australian 18-foot boats competed with the best of the Auckland fleet, it is expected that there will be a large entry for the race, including several new boats now in course of construction or in contemplation. Recent advice from Sydney indicates that a number ot representative boats of this class will, in all probability, be sent across the Tasman. Further interest is likely to be lent to the contest by the possibility of such famous yachtsmen as Mr. Harold J Vanderbilt, New York, and Mr. T. O. M, Sopwith, London, sending boats ro Auckland to take part. Though better known for their part in the recent America's Cup race, when they competed with big yachts of the J class, Mr. Vanderbilt and Mr. Sopwith have both sailed in boats of the smaller type, and have a keen interest in the sporl generally About three months ago the Mayoi. Sir Ernest Davis, who is also chairman of the Auckland Provincial Centennial Council, wrote to Mr. Vander bilt and Mr. Sopwith. suggesting th;it each ol them might consider buildiog and sending to New Zealand in 1940 an 18-foot sailing boat to take part iv the contest. There has not yet been time to receive a considered reply to j these letters, but Sir Ernest has asLsured them that, if they decide to be represented, this will be greeted as gesture of good will that will be greatly appreciated by New Zealand. There is also a hope that participa jtion of these two outstanding yachvs, imen will result in other English and American owners deciding to take pan Two years ago Mr Vanderbilt was in communication with the New South Wales 18-footers' League as a result of his interest in the type of boat used in the league's Sydney races, and a copy of the specifications governing the construction of these boats was sent to him.

Showing the likelihood ot Australian clubs sending champion boats to Auckland next year, it was stated in Sydney recently that a special £200 gold cup and the J. J- Giltinan trophy, worth £75. would go to the winner of the New Zealand race. A further statement made in Sydney in recent weeks, which should go far to remove all traces of unpleasantness which marred the contest in Auckland last February, was that it was now unlikely that the New South Wales 18-footers' League would carry further Mr. Bert Swinburne's protest against the disqualification of his boat Taree.