SANDERS CUP

Evening Star, Issue 21005, 20 January 1932, Page 12

SANDERS CUP

- ' HEATHER TYPE OUTCLASSED NEW MEASUREMENT RULE [Special to the ‘ Star.’] WELLINGTON, January 20. No fault could be found witlx the crew of Heather in either of yesterday’s races in the Sanders Cup contest. The simple fact remains that she was beaten by a better boat ; and the races showed that it is practically useless to pit an old, restricted class boat against the later Rona-Jellicoe craft. Heather did well in the early stages of both yesterday’s races, and in both cases was sailing a close third when the first long run was completed. It was when she got on the wind that she lost ground, and by the time half of the course was completed she had fallen hopelessly behind. By the performance of the five boats in the four races it is apparent that Betty and Avenger, as boats, greatly overshadowed the other three —Rangi, Val, and Heather. The crews of the three latter boats are excellent, but they have the almost insuperable handicap of having second-rate craft. Arthur Johnston, Betty’s skipper, sailed his boat very consistently in both races yesterday, and in the morning was only just beaten on the line by the tactics of a very clever hoy. He could not he caught napping in the second race, and once having established the lead, maintained it and went on to finish by a substantial margin. The course for the afternoon race was a windward and leeward one, and almost the same as was followed on the previous afternoon, when Betty was also successful. A remit put forward by Auckland and adopted by the Sanders Cup Dominion Conference last evening will mean, if brought into effect, that all heats competing in future contests will he measured before the races each year. The practice in the past has been for the controlling ■ authority to accept a certificate that the boat conforms to the specifications when the boat first entered in the contest, and let that stand for all time. Of late this has caused a considerable measure of dissatisfaction, and in order to ensure that all competing craft should be absolutely identical, the Auckland Yacht Association brought the matter forward and secured the approval of the conference. The Otago delegates had been instructed to vote against the measure, hut they refrained from recording their vote. ‘ “ Now that this remit has been adopted, I am satisfied that we will see more boats in the next contest,” commented the Chairman, Mr O. A. Moller. “It has been wanted for many years, and I am sure it will be a good thing for the sport. It will remove all the unpleasantness caused through doubt.

A remit that there be strict enforcement of the weight limit in contests was rejected. _ Mr C. H. Palmer (Auckland) said that northern, yachtsmen felt that the Sanders Cup contests were not being carried out in the way originally intended—that was determining the best provincial crew, and not the best boat. Auckland had decided not to compete again unless the boats were quite identical. Failing that they sought a restricted class. The Chairman said Wellington agreed with Auckland, but felt the proposal was not sweeping enough. The idea should be to evolve the contest to a state practically fool-proof. He thought the winner only should be measured. If that were so, then the responsibility would be thrown on the shoulders of the owner, builder, and the local association, which would be 1 ' right. The winner should allow the moulds to be put on after the race. Conference left it to Auckland to prepare the necessary moulds and other arrangements. Only one race will bb held to-day, to commence at 3 p.m. If the race is not held, two races will be held to-morrow. It was considered that the crews needed rest after two days’ strenuous racing. The weather is gloriously fine, with a light breeze from the north.