WOMAN’S BIG BID IN KING’S CUP AIR RACE

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6668, 23 July 1928, Page 8

WOMAN’S BIG BID IN KING’S CUP AIR RACE

TENTH AT END OF STAGE. British. Official Wireless. RUGBY, July 20. Competitors in the 1000 miles handicap air race round Britain for the King’s Cup completed tho first stage to-day at Renfrew aerodrome, a distance of 540 miles. Miss Spooner, the only woman competitor, who flies a Moth machine, made a great bid for victory. Starting third from Hendon, she was second to arrive at Norwich, and was first at Birmingham. She was still leading at Leeds, but afterwards lost her advantage. First to arrive at Renfrew was Flying Officer Atcherley in a Gloster Glebe, his time being 5 hours 19 minutes 27 seconds.' Miss Spooner was tenth in 5 hours 47 minutes 54 seconds. The leading machines at the end of tho first day’s stage are;— - Flight Officer Atcherley, Gloster Glebe, 40 minutes 56 seconds start, arrived 5 hours 19 min. 27 secs, 1 Captain Broad, de Haviland Moth, 94 minutes 35 seconds start, arrived 5 hours 20 mins. 53 secs. .. 2 W. Hope, the holder, de Haviland Moth, 115 minutes 40 seconds start, arrived 5 hours 27 mins. 19 secs. .. .. .. ..... .. ..... 3 C.’ Unwin, Bristol machine, 34 minutes, '4l seconds start, arrived 5 hours 34 mins., 12 secs. 4 Received Monday, 1 a.m. Later. The result of the King’s Cup race was:— W. Hope’s Mot!} (the holder) .. 1 C. Nivin’s Bristol Fighter .... 2 Miss Spooner’s Moth 3 Captain Broad’s Moth 4 The winner averaged 1054 miles an hour over the full distance of 1097 miles. Captain Summorson, in an Avro' Avenger, put up the fastest time. Miss Spooner won > tho trophy for members ’ light ’plane clubs.