SANDERS CUP CONTEST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20475, 29 January 1930, Page 15

SANDERS CUP CONTEST.

FIRST RACE DECIDED.

VICTORY FOR OTAGO,

AVALON IN SECOND PLACE

OTHERS FAIL TO FINISH* The first, rare of the 1930 contest, for fne Sanders Memorial Cup for 14ft. Jellicoe class Lioats was sailed on the Waitemata yesterday, and resulted in a win for Eileen (Otago), by 8m 3s from Avalon (Auckland), the only other boat to finish. A fresh north-north-east breeze was'' blowing, and a big sea was running. The. course was a windward and leeward one, giving the boats a beat from the starter's boat off Orakei out to the white light buoy in Kangitoto Channel and a run back again. This was sailed tvricf, making a total distance of nino mil's.

Each skipper was supplied with a written course, but through somo misunderstanding Avalon (Auckland) and Clyde (Wellington) mistook tho green Ijrrht buoy for the whlto light, and found out their mistake only when Eileen was rounding tho white light buoy. This rave Eileen • a long lead, and sho maintained it throughout the race.

/ Eileen was well -handled by Mr. G. Kellett, and thoroughly deserved her win. Both Clyde and Coileen (Canterbury) met with mishaps and did not complete the course.

Personnel oi the Crews. The competitors and crews were:— Avalon (defender), Auckland.—J. Patrick (skipper), F. Cloke, H. Brown, E. Matthews.

Eileen, Otago.—G. Kellett (skipper), A. Dawson, J. Robertson, E. Robinson. " Colleen, ' ■ Canterbury.—F. Collins (skipper), F. 'Dobbie, E. Sinclair, £. Wheakley.

Clyde, Wellington.— N. Rountree (skipper), H. Aldred, R. Kerr, C. Rountree.

The race was started at 2.40 p.m., and at, gunfire Clyde crossed tho line first, followed by Avalon, with Colleen and Eileen in that order. Eileen immediately threw round on port and held on in shore toward Orakei Wharf. The other three went off on starboard for a little distance and then came back on port. Eileen was now doing well, and having kept out of the tide, weathered her rivals when she came round on the opposite tack. ; Her move was a wise one and she was- now in the lead.

Meanwhile Avalon passed Clydfl. The latter broke tacks, but she had no sooner got going when Avalon caught her on the wrong tack and put her around. Avalon then went about on The order passing Orakei Wharf was Eileen, Avalon, Clyde, Colleen.

Colleen Retires. All were on port tack, and just above the wharf Colleen carried away a back and side stay. She shook up into the wind and retired. The race had only been started 12 minutes when the accident happened. The wind was increasing in strength, and the crews had their hands full to keep .going. .-it the Bastipn beacon Eileen had a lead; of 50 seconds from Avalon, which was about the same distance ahead of Clyde. Below the lighthouse Avalon gained slightly on Eileen, but the latter, which was holding up better than the Auckland boat, again drew away. Clyde was now given a little more mainsheet than the other two, but went to leeward. At 3.35 p.m., when about 150 yds ahead, Eileen broke tacks and stood on starboard toward the white light buoy. Avalon carried on past until 3.20 p.m. and then went about, and a minute later Clyde followed her. It was now a question if Avalon and Clyde had not mistaken their mark, as they both held up for the green light buoy at least half a mile to windward of the white light buoy..

' Skippers Realise Mistakes. Eileen made a short board and rounded the correct buoy at 0.32 p.m. Only then did'Avalon and Clyde realise their mistake and the/ had to ease sheets jor the •white light. Avalon made it at oh 3om 4s and Clyde at 3h 40m 50s. On getting round the buoy Eileen did ' not set her spinnaker until well in toward North Head. She was tearing along afc a great pace and ms.de a. fast run to the starter's boat. Avalon did not hoist her spinnaker. Two minutes after rounding the white light buoy Clyde carried away the cooseneck on her boom and retired. This now left Eileen and Avalon in the race. The times o:a completion of the first round were

Eileen, 3h 4.7 m. Avalon, 3h 53m. Second Round! a Procession. The second round was simply a. procession, Eileen, improving her position all '•the time and pointing even higher than she did in the'first round. She was about half a mile ahead of Avalon at 4.8 p.m. She did not stand so long on port this tirrfe and at 4.13 p.m. threw hack on starboard. Another two boards enabled .her to round the white light at 4h 41m. Avalon followed at 4h 48m 20s. Seven minutes alter passing the channel mark Eileen set her spinnaker, but Avalor; ran in without her light sail. The finishing times were:— Eileen, 4h 57m. Avalon, 5h 5m 3s. ' Eileen won by 8m 3s. The Sanders Cup boats will take part in the anniversary regatta to-day and fhe second and third races for e ri -ip will be Failed tomorrow, the first race starting at 10 a.m. and the second at o p.m.