Big Names For Centennial Regatta

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 132, 7 June 1939, Page 8

Big Names For Centennial Regatta

Vanderbilt and Sopwith May Come WORLD SAILING CHAMPIONSHIP AT AUCKLAND Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Last Night. One of the outstanding features of the Centennial regattas to be held in Auckland early next year will be a world sailing championship for 18-foot boats. In view of the tremendous interest aroused in Auckland last February, when three of the fastest of the Australian 18-foot boats competed with the best of the Auckland fleet, it is expected there will be a large entry for the race, including several new boats now in course of construction or in contemplation. Kecent advice from Sydney indicates that a number of representative boats of this class will in all probability be sent across the Tasman. Further interest is likely to be lent to the contest by the possibility of such famous yachtsmen as Mr. Harold J. Vanderbilt, of New York, and Mr. T. O. M. Sopwith, of London, sending boats to Auckland to take part. Although better known for their part in the recent Americas Cup race, when the competed with big yachts of the “J” class, Messrs. Vanderbilt and Sopwith have both sailed in boats of a smaller type and have a keen interest in the sport generally. About three months ago the Mayor (Sir Ernest Davis),* who is also chairman of the Auckland Provincial Centennial Council, wrote to Messrs. Vanderbilt and Sopwith suggesting that each of them might consider building and sending to New Zealand in 1940 an 38-foot sailing boat to take part in the contest. There has not yet been time to receive a considered reply to these letters, but Sir Ernest has assured them that if they decided to be represented, this will be greeted as a gesture of goodwill that will be greatly appreciated by New Zealand. There is also hope that the participation of these two outstanding yachtsmen will result in other English and American owners deciding to take part. Two years ago Mr. Vanderbilt was 1a communication with the New South Wales 18-footers League as a result of his interest in the type of boat used in the League’s Bydney races, and a copy of the specifications governing the construction of these boats was sent to him.

As showing the likelihood of Australian elubs sending champion boats to Auckland next year, it was stated in Sydney recently that a special £2OO gold cup and the J. J. Giltinan trophy (worth £75) would go to the winner of the New Zealand race. A further statement made in Sydney in recent weeks which should go far to remove all traces of unpleasantness which marred the contest in Auckland last February was that it was now unlikely that the New South Wales 18-tooters League would carry further Bert Swinburne’s protest against the disqualification of his boat, the Taree.