CANTERBURY INDIGNANT

Evening Star, Issue 19772, 24 January 1928, Page 6

CANTERBURY INDIGNANT

CORNWELL GUP RULING “ Canterbury yachtsmen indignant at flouting rules of game in resailing race, and consider Otago winner. Hope you will proceed with appeal.” This telegraphed message was received yesterday afternoon from Mr G. Andrews by Mr J. T. Paid, president of the Otago Yacht and Motor Boat Association. Tho Otago crew (H. Riddell and C. Churchill), accompanied by the delegate (Mr G. T. Bewley) and Mr Riddle returned to Dunedin from Auckland to-day. •‘With everything going so happily it is rather a pity to make a disturbing note, but “Speedwell.” does not agree with tho decision ol the conference on the protest lodged by the Auckland crew after the filth race, asking for a resail on the grounds that the foul between the Canterbury and Auckland boats spoilt their chance ot winning” (states that writer in the Auckland ‘Star’). The conference granted a resail, but the writer is firmly of the opinion that the rule on which the decision was partly based refers solely to a case of a capsize or other accident endangering life, and does not come into force when the matter in dispute is a. breach of the port and starboard tack rule or any other infringement of the sailing rules. The Otago boat completed the required course fairly and without any infringement of the rules, rounding all seven marks in the lead, and in “ Speedwell’s” opinion it does not effect her what the other competitors may do, outside of a capsize. No doubt there will be manv who differ on this point, and the conference must have had good reasons for their decision, but it is not in accordance with the generally accepted interpretation of the sailing rules on this matter. It would be interesting to get a ruling from the Yacht Racing Association, if only for future guidance.” Tho action of tho Sailing Committee of the Cornwell Cup contest in deciding to resail the fifth race has caused a lot of adverse comment in boating circles (states Friday’s New Zealand ‘Herald’).