SANDERS CUP CONTEST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20474, 28 January 1930, Page 12

SANDERS CUP CONTEST.

RECEPTION TO YACHTSMEN.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE HELD. FIRST RACE THIS AFTERNOON. > THE USE OF LEADING JIBS. The visiting yachtsmen taking part in the annual contest for the Sanders Memorial Cup for 14ft. Jellicoe boats, were tendered a civic reception by the Mayor, Mr. G. Baildon, at the Royal Now Zealand Yacht Squadron rooms yesterday. There was a large attendance of visitors, including a number of ladies. In extending the southern yachtsmen a welcome to Auckland, the Mayor said they all knew the Sanders Cup contests had started in honour of a young New Zealanclcr who had done his share in the Great War, and he hoped these races would long continue. He was not sure whether all the provinces that had taken part in the contests had had their share of wins, but ho hoped the cup would go to the best boat. It was in the interests of the contest that the trophy should go round.

Mr. M. H. Wynyard, chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board, welcomed the visitors on behalf of the board, and added that ,as far as the board was concerned it would do anything to assist in the carrying out of the contest.

Mr. C. H. Palmer, chairman of the Auckland Yacht and Motor Boat Association, thanked the Mayor for attending the reception and assured the visitors that his association and Auckland yachtsmen generally would do their best to' m»ko their stay an enjoyable one. Mr. E. B. Webster, chairman of the Anniversary Regatta Committee, invited the visitors on board the flagship on regatta day. Messrs. J. T. Paul (Otago), C. Holmes (Wellington), J. Watson (Canterbury) replied on behalf of the southern yachtsmen. DOMINION CONFERENCE. APPOINTMENT OF OFFICIALS. At the conclusion of the reception the annual Dominion yachting conference was held. Mr. C. H; Palmer . (Auckland) was elected chairman, Mr, C. Holmes (Wellington) vice-chairman, and Mr. A. J. Collings (Auckland) secretary. The following racing officials were appointed:—Judges, Messrs. W. Duncan (Wellington), C. Woodward (Canterbury), T. H. Anderson (Otago); starter, Mr. W. A. Wilkinson (Auckland); timekeepers, Messrs. G. Mobberley (Auckland), and W. H. Wagstaffe (Wellington); measurers, Messrs. C. Trevithick (Auckland) and E. 11. Bailey (Wellington). S

Mr. Anderson, Otago, .introduced the question of the use of leading jibs on the wind. Hq thought the measurers should have a definite ruling on tho question as to the size leaders should be. It was /iot right that leaders should be cut and used as. jibs. He knew of one province that had four different sizes of leaders. ■

After further discussion it .was agreed that all leading jibs' must conform to measurements laid down. It was pointed out that boats could carry leaders on the wind, provided'' they were correct in measurement.

The use of brackets fixed on boats for the purpose of setting light sails was prohibited. On the motion of Mr., Paul it was decided that the method of deciding the contest be the same as last year, i.e., all boats be allowed to compete in each race until one boat has secured three wins.

Some discussion took place over , rule 3, which reads: "Boat not to be interfered with and no person to leave or join a boat during the race."

In reply to Mr. Paul the chairman said the rule was designed to safeguard racing craft from interference by other competitors in a race or by outside influence. Mr. Paul said the rule over-rode the Vacht Racing Association of Great Britain rules and was dangerous. Jn any case, the rule had been found almost'impossible of definition, as it was too wide in its scope. He thought the rule referred only to interference by an outside boat or object and not to any incident between the competitors. He proposed and Mr. Anderson seconded "That for this contest the words in rule 3, 'boat not to bo interfered with and,' be deleted." After further discussion the motion was carried, all but the Auckland delegates voting for it. The first race for the cup will' bo sailed on the Waitemata to-day over a windward and leeward course, starting at 2.30 p.m.

The challengers arc Clyde (Wellington), Eileen (Otago) and Colleen (Canterbury) and the defender Avalon (Auckland), The course will be decided upon shortly before the start of the race. The boats will iake part in the Auckland .Anniversary Regatta to-morvow and the contest will be continued on Thursday, when two races-will be held, one starting at 10 a.m. and the other at 3 p.m. A timelimit of three hours has' been placed on all • races and the length of the course will be nine.miles.