HEATHER SELECTED

Evening Star, Issue 20981, 21 December 1931, Page 4

HEATHER SELECTED

SANDERS CUP REPRESENTATIVE WINIFRED BEATEN IN LIGHT WEATHER Contrary to expectations, Winifred, which is generally looked upon as a fast boat in light weather, was soundly trounced by Heather with C. Pettit at the tiller in the final Sanders Cup trial on Saturday afternoon. After the race, tho selector (Mr E. A. Davys)

chose Heather to represent Otago in the contest to be held at Wellington. Pettit will have as his crow I. M'Grath,. A. Shanks, R. Reynolds, and. J. Burl. The trial was three times round a course from Victoria wharf to a pile off the boat harbour and back to the Kitchener street pile. This, in the flukey south-easterly which prevailed, gave a quarterly run and a lead back. All boats made a good start, Joan (A. Reeves) and Heather crossing the line almost together, followed by Winifred (I. M'Grath) and Squib (A. Hall), in that order. Spinnakers were run out, and Joan went into the lead. At the same time Squib closed up on Winifred. For a short time the Inst throe boats raced nock and neck, but when the first mark was reached it was seen that Heather was in the lead, with Winifred second. Squib was next, and Joan last. Winifred set a spinnaker, but it did not appear to be of much use

with the wind broad on tho beam, and she was headed by Squib, and the big sail was replaced with a leading jib. On tho reach to the Kitchener street mark Heather established a good lead, and rounded 50sec in the load of Squib. Winifred came next, and then Joan. Heather’s for’ard_ hand gave a fine display with his spinnaker, and had the extra sail drawing in a few seconds. When off tho cement works Squib found a nice puff, which closed her up on Heather, leaving Winifred and Joan well astern. When near tire lower mark Squib was knocked off by a change in the wind, and lost several seconds—rounding 80sec after Heather. Winifred and Joan had dropped further back. Heather made a snort board towards the Peninsula, but it was a mistake, 'and Squib closed up on her and rounded'tiro Kitchener street mark 47sec astern of Heather. Pettit’s for’ard hand again got his spinnaker

out in good time, the sail being set and drawing in ssec. Winifred was next, 3min 24sec after Heather, and Joan 2nun 4sec later. The wind eased away when the boats were running down-channel, but Squib managed to close up on Heather and rounded 35sec alter her.'- Winifred and Jorfn lost the wind for a short time, and lost about a minute at the pile oil’ the boat harbour. The wind continued to fall away; and Joan withdrew from the race when off the boat* harbour. Heather continued to draw farther away on the lend to the wharf, and rounded the mark Imin losec in the lead of Squib. There was no change on the short run to the finishing line, and Heather finished first, with Squib G3sec Intel), and Winifred 4min 53soc alter the first boat. ‘ 1 The selector’s decision is sure to be a j popular one, and Pettit sailed a fine j race, while Squib’s skipper also showed up well.