SANDERS CUP

Evening Star, Issue 22249, 29 January 1936, Page 2

SANDERS CUP

THE FIRST RACE WON BY CANTERBURY . [Pm United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, January 28. The first race for the Sanders Memorial Cup was decided on the Waitemata this afternoon, and was won by the Canterbury boat Avenger by 53seo from Larina (Wellington), with which she had been engaged in a close duel throughout the afternoon.' Irene, last year’s winner of the cup for Canterbury, which 'in this contest represents Southland, was third. -Val (Otago) was, fourth; Aileen (Auckland) folded the first mark when rounding it m close company with Avenger and Lavina, and retired immediately. The course was a' windward and leeward one, commencing off Hobson Bay and extending to a buoy in the Rangitoto channel, twice round. At the gunfire : spinnakers were set smartly for a flat run of about two miles and a-quarter. Otago was well to leeward, and Wellington, Canterbury, and Auckland were closely bunched, with Southland some: distance astefh.Otago, rounded the mark first, with a lead of 26sec, and Canterbury, Auckland, and Wellington reached’the buoy together. - Auckland had the inside berth, with Canterbury slightly ahead. The Auckland boat hit the buoy on her starboard bow and immediately put about and retired. Otago had in the meantime-put around and, on the port tack, was stemming the strong ebb tide. M'Grath soon realised his mistake, but, on putting about again, found he was about 100yds astern of Wellington and Canterbury, who were separated by ,only ,two boat lengths. Canterbury had the leeward position, but Sinclair, sailing his boat free and fast, _ outpaced Wellington, and on splitting tacks in order to weather the Bean Rock lighthouse he had a lend of nearly 30sec. Once past Bean Rock both Canterbury and Wellington stood in to the shore. Johnston, the Wellington skipper, showed excellent judgment 'and did not put .round until well out of the tide. When the boats again crossed tacks he had gained a substantial lead and rounded the Hobson Bay ;xnark lmm-20sec ahead of Canterbury. Both Southland and Otago kept too far out in the‘tide-and were well astern. On the run out to the Rangitoto channel mark Wellington slightly increased her lead On;;Cahterbfijy,. while’ Southland moved a little closer up to the leaders. Canterbury was sailing very well, and slowly caiight up with Wellington. Once Bean Rock had been weathered the two boats stood to the shore as before, but, profiting by his previous - experience;- Sinclair took Avenger as. close to the shore as possible, while Wellington went round on the port tack some 20sec earlier. The boats ’ crossed tacks once again, and Canterbury was to windward. Sinclair sailed board - for board with his opponent, thus maintaining the advantage and finishing with 53see in hand. Southland sailed well on the last beat but Otago dropped further astern. The race was started at 2.10, and the finishing times were;— Canterbury (Avenger), 4h 30miu I2seo 1 Wellington (Lavina), 4h 31miu ssec 2 Southland (Irene), 4h 32min 42sec 3 Otago (Val), 4h 38min 49seo ~, ... 4