YACHT RACING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20807, 25 February 1931, Page 17

YACHT RACING.

BY STINDMFX

CONTEST FOR SANDERS CUP.

INCREASED INTEREST IN RACES.

AGE-LIMIT ON AUCKLAND CREW

Several years have elapsed since so much interest has been taken in Auckland in tho annual contest for tho Sanders Cup. To a great extent tho reason for the revival of interest is that Auckland sent away a skipper and crew under 21 years of ago to represent the province in tho contest. In addition to this all the yacht clubs in Auckland and the Manukau had the opportunity of nominating one or more members for possible selection in the crew of Aval on. While only five clubs actually guaranteed to assist in the matter of financing their own particular nominee, the populiar feeling among those interested in yachting was that tho Auckland Yacht and Motor-Boat Association had dono the right thing in limiting tho crew to under 21 years.

Even in tho south, where a great deal of opposition to restricting the age limit has been raised in the past, there is now a feeling in fonie quarters in favour of the race being confined to youths under 21 years. Generally speaking, however, tho southerners do not hold with the age limit, although quite a number of the youths who took part in this year's contest were under 21 years of age. Of course, it is too early to say whether Auckland will again send away another, crew under 21, hut judging on the renewed interest shown in this year's contest, it would appear that to keep the race alive, so far as Auckland is concerned, the proper course to follow would be to restrict the age limit. Avalon Unlucky.

So far as this year's contest is concerned it must be admitted that Avalon had all the luck against her and, under ordinary circumstances, she would more than likely have brought the cup back with her. On two occasions she was in the winning position when the races were called off on account of the time limit being exceeded. In another race she finished first, buti was disqualified on a foul, while in a further race she was unfortunate enough to touch the rounding mark with the end of her boom and withdrew. She was then holding a commanding position. The 1931 contest was the longest drawnout on record, no fewer than eight races being sailed to decide the holder of the cup.

The following table shows how the various boats were placed :

Boat. Ist. 2nd. 3rd. 4th. sth, Betty . .. 3 1 1 1 Colleen .. 22 - Bona .... 1 2 3 Avalon .. 1 2 1 Eileen .. 1 1

Two additional races were held, but as both exceeded the time limit of three hours they were ordered to be resailed. In each of these races Avalon was the leading boat. The record of the contest to date is as follows:—

Year. Boat. Province. Where Held. 1921 Heather Otago Auckland 1322 Desert Gold Auckland Dunedin 1923 Kona Auckland Auckland 1924 Bona Auckland Wellington 1925 lona Otago Auckland 1926 Betty Canterb'y Dunedm 1927 Betty Canterb'y Lyttelton 1928 Betty Canterb'T Stewart Is, 1929 Avalon Auckland Akaroa 1930 Eileen - Otago Auckland 1931 Betty Well'gton Dunedin

Devonport Olub's Regatta,

Perfect weather conditions prevailed on Saturday for the Devonport Yacht Club's annual regatta. Generally speaking, good entries were received, and with one or two exceptions all the boats which had entered faced the starter. The various events were started to time, and some very pretty starts were witnessed, especially in the races for classes H, L and N and V and S. A northerly breeze prevailed throughout the afternoon, and as the greater portion of the courses was sailed with cased 6heets, the races all finished very early. A feature of the racing was the contest for class M, in which Maratea (R. Goodwin) and Maroro (D. Logan) had a great tussle from start to finish. Maroro got tho better of the start, and led Maratea until after passing the White Light buoy, where Maratea took the lead. There was very little between the two boats on the beat out and on the run back again. At tho Resolution buoy Maratea had a lead of 15 seconds from' Maroro. The latter was now gradually gaining on her rival and the issue was in doubt until the finish, Maratea gaining the verdict by one second. Manene did not sail up to her usual standard, and was never prominent. The launches Kenya, Linda, Raira, Doris and the j'achts Twilight and Ngaru 11., which have been cruising at the Great Barrier and other places, returned "to Auckland on Sunday. The crew of Twilight secured two large blue sharks at the barrier, one weighing 3001b. and the other 2001b. Both were caught on the rod, the former taking an hour and a-half to land. The Ponsonby Cruising Club will hold its annual regatta on Saturday. Races will be held for all classes.

Mr. E. R. Davis, vice-patron of the Victoria Cruising Club, will entertain the crew of H.M.S. Veronica at the clubhouse to-morrow evening. The function will take the form of a smoke concert.