SANDERS CUP RACE

Hokitika Guardian, 15 February 1929, Page 3

SANDERS CUP RACE

FOUR BOATS CAPSIZE. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) AIvAROA, Feb. 14. The first race in the Sanders Cup contest, which was started at two o’clock this afternoon, ended sensationally fifteen minutes later when four of tlie -contestants capsized in a fierce southerly squal, while tho fifth boat, the Colleen, retired and ran for shelter. All of the boats carried light weather crews, except the Otago boat, which carried a heavy third man. The Muriliiku was fortunate in securing the use of the Betty’s sails from Air George. Andrews.

At the start, the Avalon rounded the starter’s launch as the gun was fired, and was- the first- away. She was followed by the Murihiku, Colleen, Clyde, and Eileen. The Avalon took the lead, and, pointing well, stood well to windward with 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- "'as increasing. 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 she went. Tho Colleen, which had been last and well to windward, bad sufficient warning to enable the crew to lower and run for shelter under the jib only. ’Phe following launches, •-however, were quickly alongside the capsized boats. One launch which went to the rescue of the Avalon ran over her bow. breaking the bowspriut and damaging the planking and decking. All of the boats were towed in as they were, and the large crowd on the wharf watched the Clyde, TlTieen 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 starboard chainplate, and her decking was sprung for a couple of feet. She had also so' oral small holes in her sails. Repairs will he effected by to-morrow 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 windward and leeward course, and tlie second race will start at 2.30 p.m.