SANDERS CUP THRILL

Evening Star, Issue 21639, 7 February 1934, Page 2

SANDERS CUP THRILL

LAVINA AND IRENE FIGHT EVERY INCH OF COURSE CANTERBURY BOAT'S SECOND WIN [Special to the Star.] CHRISTCHURCH, February 6. The spectators, and the members of at least two of the crews, voted the second race for the Sanders Cup, sailed to-day, the most exciting in the history of the contest. The race was sailed very fast in ideal conditions —a 1 nilgai!” breeze, with very little sea. The Canterbury boat, Irene, won after a thrilling battle with the Wellington representative, Lavina. over practically the whole course; and the result was in doubt until the winning boat had crossed the finishing line. The course was a triangular one, starting from the buov off the breakwater to the buoy off* Battery Point, thence around the "buoy off Payne’s Quarry; thence to the* starting line—three times round. All the boats carried foui men. In a spectacular start oft the wind Lavina was fortunate to secure a flying start, and had a slight advantage, but the boats flew away almost in line. Eileen made better speed off the winl, passing Lavina, and the order fit the first buov was; Eileen ( Otago], Irene (Canterbury). Lavina .(Wellington), and Val (Southland). Only seven seconds .separated the first and the last boat. ; . Eilepn held the Head on the beat tor Diamond , Harbour, and the boats turned in the order of Eileen, Irene, Lavina, with Val well back. On the lead for the pier the boats sailed very fast, and Lavina provided the sensation of the race. She caught a strong squall and planed along.at an amazing speed, which was held only because ol the superb skill of the crew. Uaviua went into the lead because of tins rush, and she held the lend until the very last leg of the course. The order at the end of the first lap was: — ■ Lavina, 3h Imin 16sec. , “■Eileen, 3h Imin 27sep. Irene, 3h Imin 39sec

1 Val, 3h 3min 29sec. Off the- wind attain spinnakers .were all set, and with all sails drawing well, the boats made a, fast run to the next mark. Lavina, in particular, excelled in this run, and improved her lead. Irene overhauled Eileen, and at the turn was 21sec behind Lavina. On the beat for the second time Lavina held the lead, but lost some distance to Eileen and Irene, which/ rounded the mark together ii few lengths behind. In the lead homeward the skipper of Irene tried to put out. his spinnaker forward, but probably gained nothing, and. had to take in the sail halfway along. Eileen also hoisted his spinnaker forward, and held if to the mark. The second round was completed at the following times: — Lavina, 3h 32min 13sec. Irene, 3h 32min 55sec. Eileen, 3h 33min 3sec. Val, 3h 36min 43sec.

With the last round to go there was less than a minute between the three leaders, and anything might happen. Lavina. however, looked to have the race in hand when she made astonishing speed on the run to the finishing niark, and -turned Imin 13seo ahead of, the Canterbury boat, with Eileen 47sec away. Val. rounded nearly 4min later. • Irene gained on the Wellington boat on the beat to the second mark, and succeeded at’length in weathering Lavina/ rounding slightly ahead. Lavina chased Irene hard in a thrilling race to the finishing line. Irene had her spinnaker out, and Eileen tried also to carry her spinnaker, with little success; V Irene and Lavina tried a desperate race, and the crews were as excited as the spectators. Lavina almost. caught the Canterbury boat. Only by sticking to the spinnaker could Irene’s skipper hope to keep his lead., The spinnaker hand in Irene had a hard battle with the sail, bnt he managed to hold it just long enough to reach the line. The finish was: —• Irene, 4h 4min loser. Lavina, 4h 4min 21sec. ■Eileen. 4h 6min Bseo

Val, 4h Bmin Msec. The third race will be sailed tomorrow afternoon over a windward and leeward course. Irene now has won twice, and if she wins again the contest' will be over - .