YACHTING

Evening Star, Issue 20687, 9 January 1931, Page 5

YACHTING

[By Foe’ard Hand.] YACHTING CALENDAR. —1931. January 17.—Ravensbourno Club races; Otago Club races. February 21.—Ravensbourno regatta. February 28.—Burkes-St. Leonards regatta. March 14.—Vauxhall Club’s regatta. March 21.—Otago Yacht Club race*. April 18. —Vauxhall Club’s races. .SANDERS CUP CONTEST. The dates for the first three races of the Sanders Cup contest are as follow February 17, 1,8, -and 19, 1931. OTAGO’S DEFENCE. MOST SATSIFACTORY DECISIONS. Probably tho majority of tho general public and yachtsmen will be befogged by tho decisions of the association on the selection of the crow to- defend the Sanders Cup, but when they ultimately sec the effect of the decisions, they will find them entirely satisfactory. To state that tho sailing committee was not unanimous over the selection of a light weather skipper is not divulging any secret, as the committee’s problems were openly discussed prior to the meeting of tho association. The choice lay between C. Pettit and A. Hunter, and the association was pronounced iu its views, Pettit being selected.

Despite the attempts in some quarters to drop AV. J. R. M'Culloeh from the crew, he was selected as tho heavy weather skipper. Pettit is to hgve charge of the boat and to he skipper during tho tuning-up practices, but who will be skipper on tho race days rests with the committee of four appointed. In the meantime the positions are nominal; but in the contest, either Pettit or M'Culloeli will be at Eileen’s helm. Tho fact that Pettit has been selected to take charge of the boat up to tho day of the first race need not bo accepted as an indication that he will be the skipper. The decision is a very satisfactory one, and will meet with general accord. Hunter. Reynolds, and Robinson arc the other members >of the crew, _ nml the first-named will find tho experience in tho centre of the boat of groat value to him. Next year will doubtless see him much improved. M'Culloch’s years of contest experience cannot possibly ,bo overlooked, while Pettit is to bo congratulated on his selection. As skipper of Squib he has proved himself a most promising young skipper. He has ability, and is exceedingly popular among his Club mates as a man always willing to fall in with reasonable proposals. As yet he lacks experience, but he is the type that will abide by the Sailing Committee should the officials decide that, in any race, M'Culloeh is to be in charge. The aim of most members of the association is to attempt to retain the Sanders Cup, and from now on tho crew will be working together. Any feelings of rivalry evinced during the trials should be dropped for the sake of tlvo province; and the writer is satisfied that the young fellows will pull together. After a spell of practices the crew should make a fine combination, having experience coupled with youth and dash.

it was a gracious act on tho part of the association to allow Mr R. P. Hunter to assist in preparing Eileen, in conjunction with the Sailing Committee, for the contest, as it is frankly admitted that he cherishes his association with the champion. But a personal explanation must be made by the writer iu reply to a letter’ to tlvo association by Mr Hunter, in which he insinuates that tho writer was responsible for the broadcast of a threat that Eileen would not bo available for tho contest. Mr Hunter’s assurance that Eileen would be handed over to the association was given in a letter dated December IC, yet it was on December 13 that he made his declaration before a number of officials on the Victoria wharf. Mr Hunter was himself responsible for tho publication of tho report, which was not.a rumour. CONGRATULATIONS TO BURT BROTHERS. From tho very first race, E, and J. Burt impressed as likely Otago contenders for tho Cornwell Memorial Cup and their selection by the association will bo generally applauded. They arc the two most promising lads seen out on the harbour for many years, and Otago can have confidence in the representation. Tho brothers combine excellently, and their prospects of lifting tho trophy are decidedly favourable. Otago authorities are very optimistic. On the score of ability they will concede nothing to the other challengers, and tho defenders while an added qualification is their knowledge of the Auckland waters, on which the contest will bo sailed. Jn tho last contest tho Auckland boys, the Tabatcau brothers, _ treated Dunedin watchers to fine exhibitions of boat handling, yet it is known that if the Burt brothers had not removed to Dunedin shortly before the selection of tho Auckland crew, they would probably have been the Auckland representatives.

Mr Hector C. Brown is to bo congratulated on his selection ns manager and delegate. Ho has for long been an enthusiast for tho Takapuna class, and ho can bo retied on to show judgment in the deliberations at the conferences and at the contest.

A word of praise is deserved by Cufilbert and Davis, the St. Leonards crew, m the Cornwell trials. Tboir sailing was excellent, but in light weather they were too heavy a crew.

SANDERS CUP AGE LIMIT. PROPOSAL CREATES WIDE INTEREST. Tho proposal to fix as twenty-ono years the ago limit of crows competing for tho Sanders Cup is likely to be keenly debated. Although tho contest was introduced with the purpose of encouraging yachting and to develop tho finalities in young yachtsmen, a precedent against an age limit was set from the very first series of races, when. Lord Jellicoo actually held the tiller of Iron Duke in a race.

The greatest argument against so low an age limit as twenty-one years is that the Cornwell Cup has a limit of nineteen years. After graduating from the Takapuna class the lads will no sooner bo picking up the points and experience to qualify them to represent their respective provinces in the major contest before they are debarred from competition by the age clause. AVhilo provincial authorities in the past have not shown any pronounced desire to pit the youth against experienced men, they cannot bo blamed. It would bo foolish to expect the boys to show up against men with many years of sailing, under varying conditions, behind them. The contest is for the best skippers, irrespective of ago: However, Auckland intends to make a departure this year, and the experiment will be interesting. In the South Island a strong prejudice is always held against any proposals emanating from Auckland, and tho feelings of doubt about the latest proposals are strong in some quarters. Sinister aims are not imputed, but it is evident that if the proposal is carried Auckland will have, practically an octopus grip on the Sanders Cup. _ There is no doubt about Auckland having the host youths, as they are able to indulge in much more practice than the boys in other centres, owing to the earlier summer and the finer stretches of water. If an age limit clause he introduced it behoves the authorities to see that it is not too low. After all, why should a man in his prime bo barred from sailing for the cup if he and tho provincial body hold that ho is equal to the dominion’s best skippers? ]IE AI INI SCE NT OF BAST DAYS. AVELL-RUN REGATTA AT BROAD BAY. Yachtsmen and motor boat owners wore assembled in largo numbers at Broad Bay on New A’car's Day. Tho thirty-seventh regatta was held under conditions that suited competitors in all races, and was favoured by an attendance well above the average at fixtures of tho past several seasons. “ Reminiscent of the old Broad Bay regattas,” was a remark passed generally throughout the length and breadth of the bay on the latest occasion. Tho sun heat scorchingly down from a cloudless sky, and tho harbour donned its most picturesque coat. 'Pile shore was closely crowded by several thousand residents and visitors. Tho long programme was put through without delay, and the authorities are to be congratulated on tho success of the • euture.

Scenes that will probably remain impressed on the minds of practically all present that day were those formed during tho yacht races for 14-footers and 20-footcrs. The nor’-eastcr, sufficient to propel the sailers, but failing to ruffle the surface of the sea, gave the yachts a lead from the starting line to tlio first buoy off Grassy Point and a beat back to Cemetery Point, where the course gave a run to tho starting line. Under full canvas spectacular racing in the events gave tho spectators something of what good aquatic sportsmanship can offer. Sailing men turned most of their attention to tho Jellicoo class race, in which six boats set off at gunfire. Eileen went right out ahead, followed by Winifred, and the rest of the competitors remained practically in a bunch. Tho leader went on to make a splendid gap, and-at the halfway buoy Eileen had 25sec to the good. There was little alteration in the positions, except for the continued improvement of Eileen. At the finish she crossed some time before Winifred, hut disappointment was expressed all around when it was worked out that she had tailed to make up Winifred’s handicap by only a Jew seconds. The race, to say tiio least, was wonderful to watch, and was a decided attraction in itself. .Shamrock (third). Agnes, Mavis, and Squib also covered the course, and, although present, tho .Heather did not compote owing to misunderstanding over Jhc crow.

Only four yachts—Dawn, Miti, Shadow, and Vera —contested the 20ft and over event, which also provided an excellent race, it was a straight-out go. Dawn getting there with ease. The finishing places were the same as tho order in which the boats arc mentioned above.

, taflight and Silver Surf fought out the under 20ft and over 12fb Gin yacht race the former very soon making up her handicap and going on to win with case.

The sailing dinghies made a good showing, and (ho nine boats were an impressive sight as they covered the two-mile ‘course. Tho limit boat. Harlequin, was on a good handicap, and won from Suzotto (Imin) and Frolic (3min).

Entries for the launches’ events were large, and considerate handicapping made the races cion and worth watching. As many as twelve boats set out in one race, and all four events for these craft proved quite interesting. Liveliness is required anywhere to add variety to the. programme, and at Broad Bay this part was contributed by the speedsters, whoso roaring motors and snappy speed kept the eyes of everybody riveted strictly on them throughout their races—two being foxspeed boats and other two for outboards. Miss Bruce, after a loss at Macandrews, made up points for the C. C. Wakefield Cup by winning the heat at Broad Bay, the other live boats being placed: Argo, Musketeer, Mist, Mi ss Blake. However, in her next run Mi ss Bruce developed engine trouble, and Miss Blake, the only other contestant, romped home. The outboard championship of the harbour was carried off by Argo in a good race, the winner getting there LI sec ahead of Mist, \ ith Musketeer in third place. Mist, Argo, and Sirena started in the only other outboard race, but Argo experienced (rouble with I lie engine,

Sirena pulled out altogether, and Mist was able to cover tho four miles nearly 2min faster than Argo. Tliis regatta, the second of the season, was successful iu every way, the authorities being lucky to have _ such fine weather, and they are again to be complimented on tho manner in which the events were carried through. FLOTSAM AND JETSAM.

R. Cardno and A. Booth have been on a holiday trip to Timaru in tho Kiwi. They arc due to return this week. Imp, which has been purchased by J. Thompson, lias had her deckhouse cut down very considerably. From her appearance her owner is going to make a much better looking beat. Pacific was up on the Yacht Club’s slip this week for a scrub. She will bo in the water again for the weekend.

Gleam, ex Shamrock, has been purchased by tho son of tho of the Boat- Harbour, and he is getting good use out of her. A meeting is to be held by the Vauxhall Club on -Monday to put in hand arrangements for tho annual regatta. Auroa has made her headquarters at Broad Bay over tho holidays. At Middletown, Connecticut, in November, Walter Widegren, of Long Island, sent all records for competitions to tho board when ho drove his Flowers Falcon, with a Johnson outboarder, at 46.153 miles an hour. Perfect weather for oarsmen and speed boatsmon but useless for sailing was that experienced on New -Year’s Day at the Bluff regatta. There was an entire absence of wind, which, one Southland paper says, is “ a factor ‘which is usually associated with the Bluff regatta.” ‘ This absence of wind was especially noticeable in regard to the sailing events. The open yacht race, a new feature on the programme, although started at schedule time—took nearly three hours to completein fact, during the latter part of the contest the race developed into a drifting match. The absence of wind was also responsible lor tho adjournment of the Jellicoe class sailing races. Inaugurated only last year, Hie Ply-mouth-Santamlcr race attracted a fine fleet this year, which included boats from Great Britain, France, America, and Colombia; eighteen, entries and thirteen starters. The big class, Jor yachts over GOft 1.w.1, racing for King Alfonso’s enp, did not materialise, so Lord Stalbridge withdrew his Cetonia ij,t the last minute when nothing had turned up to race against her. Two French Boats, Hygio and AVi-Ki, and tho British cutter Loyalty did not arrive in time to start. The committee, exercising its right to refuse any entry it deemed unsuitable for tho race, turned down the little cutter Blue Crest. The course was from Plymouth south-westerly around U shanty a 120miles heat to windward, leaving the light to port. Thou southward to Santander. 320 miles across tho Bay of Biscay. The run across the Bay was a reach. Tho race was won hv Neptune (Lieutenant-colonel G. L. Chambers), with an average speed of 4.5 m.p.h., wliilo last year’s winner, Jolie Brise. was second. Among the fleet was Amaryllis, in which Mulhausor sailed round the world. Seventeen outboard bulls are under construction in the woodworking departments of as many high schools in California.