FOUR BOATS CAPSIZE.

Grey River Argus, 15 February 1929, Page 5

FOUR BOATS CAPSIZE.

IN SANDERS CUP. • Sensational Squall. (Per Press Association). AKAROA. February 14. The first race in the Sanders Cup contest, which was started at two o’clock this afternoon, ended sensa tionally fifteen minutes later when four of the contestants capsized in a fierce southerly squall, whi*e the fifth boat, the Colleen, retired and ran for shelter. , ’ 1

AH of the boats carried light weather crews, except the Otago boat, which carried a heavy third man. The Muri hiku was fortunate in securing the use of the Betty’s sails from Mr Georg? And: ews.

At the -start, the AvaFa rounded the starter’s launch a* the gun was fired, and was the first away. She was followed by the Murihiku, Colleen.

'lyde and Edeen. The Avalon took the '.cad, and, pointing well, stood well to windward, with the Clyde, Murihiku, Eileen and then the Colleen in that order. The Colleen was losing ground to leeward. The Avalon had a long lead. The southerly was freshening considerably, and the sea was inc leasing. Just as the boats cleared Green Point, the gale struck them. The Clyde was the first to be capsized. The Murihiku and the Eileen followed her in overturning. The Avalon attempted to come up into the wind and lower her mainsail, but she was just too late, and over f»he went. The Colleen, which had. been last and well to windward, had sufficient warning to enable the crew to lower and run for shelter under the jib only. The following launches, however, were quickly alongside the capsized boats. One launch which went to the rescue of he Avalon ran over her bow, breaking the bowsprit and damaging the p’.anking and decking.

AH of the boats were towed in as they were, and the large crowd on the wharf watched the Clyde, Eileen and Avalon uprighted and bailed out. It was found that, in addition to her broken bowsprit, the Avalon had three top planks split by the starchainplate, and her decking was sprung for a couple of feet. She also has several small holes in her sails. Repairs will be effected by tomorrow morning. The only other boat to sustain damage is the Clyde, which lost her working jib. The race was declared abandoned, and the first race will be sailed tomorrow morning at 10 o’clock, over a. windwatu and leeward course, and the second race will start at 2.30 p.m.