SANDERS CUP CONTESTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18088, 12 May 1922, Page 4

SANDERS CUP CONTESTS.

QUESTION OF CONTROL.

DOMINION BODY SUGGESTED

THE SPECIFICATION" QUESTION.

[BIT TELEGBAI'fT. —OWN CORKHSPGNDENT.J

DUNEDIN. Thursday. Tho question of conditions for the future control of the Sanders Cup inter-provincial yachting races is at present exercising the minds of local enthusiasts, particularly with respect to tho specifications and deeign of tho boats. The existing arrangements were arrived at in June, 1921, at Auckland, but it has been suggested that too much latitude exists, and that various boat* recently built, while conforming generally to the restrictions laid down in regard to build, show great divergences from one another. In some quarters it i:s felt that these variations seriously disregard the fundamental principles that led to the adoption of the 14ft. class of boat, and several suggestions have been made for securing a more uniform basis.

j Now th-it the Sanders Cup has become I the recognised inter-provincial trophy j yachtsmen consider that the races should jbe conducted under a .Dominion council, | this council to have full authority in all i matters, including tho dictation of the | specifications and design of fFTe boats. To | introduce at this late hour an absolutely j one-design boat is viewed with anything > • ; but favour, and it would certainly not | seem in the interesls of tho contests. The ! whole question, it is felt, ought to be rc- : ferred to a Dominion conference and a set ! of conditions laid down that will not exI elude more than a few of the craft i already built. It is quite recognised that i the original conditions were not definite I enough, but local yachtsmen do not seem to think that any one centre should ! arrogate to itself the laying down of the I conditions, the question being cue that affects the whole Dominion. ! Another aspect of the one-deyign boat is ; that if builders strictly followed one design the sailing qualities of one boat I would be identical with those of another. I Tho races would then be a test purely 'of i seamanship. While the value of this I would be great yachtsmen feel that in i inter-provincial racing the skill of the | boat builder should not be ignored. Boats j may comply precisely with measurements ■ yet their lines may be such, as to make | great differences in their sailing qualities. ! Xn this connection it may bo stated thafc ! two of tho boats buiit locaily while comI ing strictly within • the 1921 condition!; ! show a- difference of 10 minutes more than j tho Heather over ihe official, sailing ! course.