SANDERS CUP CONTEST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21086, 21 January 1932, Page 11

SANDERS CUP CONTEST.

EXCITING STAGE REACHED. BETTY AND AVENGER EQUAL. LATTER WINS YESTERDAY'S RACE DECISION POSSIBLE TO-DAY. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Wednesday. After holding the lead for practically the whole length of the nine-mile course, Avengef (Canterbury) won the fourth qualifying race of the twelfth Sanders Cup contest this afternoon. Avenger went to the front shortly before rounding the second mark near Kanvarra, and, once having established the lead, withstood all challengers. Avenger went on to win by 3m 46s from Betty (Wellington), the present holder. The contest is now at an interesting stage. Betty and Avenger both have two wins to their credit. As the rules provide that the cup shall go to the first boat to win three races, if either Betty or Avenger win to-morrow morning's event the 1932 contest will be decided. There was little to choose between the performances of the skippers of Avenger and Betty, George Brassel and Arthur Johnston respectively. Both sailed splendid races and it could be truthfully said that neither made a mistake. With the exception of Heather at one stage, the other boats were never in the picture. The race was sailed in a light northerly over a triangular course, set from Clyde Quay Wharf to Point Jerningham, to the Coromandel buoy (off Kaiwarra), back to Clyde Quay, three times round. Rangi (Auckland) was first across the line, facing followed by Betty, Yal (Southland), Avenger and Heather (Otago). For most of the way down to Point Jerningham Betty held the lead, but as the mark was being approached Rangi and Avenger got the advantage of some unexpected puffs of wind. Rangi assumed the lead and rounded the buoy three seconds ahead of Avenger, with Betty following third six seconds later. The long beat up to the Coromandel buoy was made in a very fluky and erratic wind. Brassel put in some smart work with Avenger when coming up on to the buoy, and she rounded the mark lm 13s ahead of Rangi, with Betty third. At Clyde Qay, on the completion of the first round, Avenger was leading from Betty by lm 4s, with Heather following in third place 20s later. Rangi was fourth and Val fifth. At the end of the second round Avenger had a very substantial lead of 2m 10s and, if anything, she had still further increased the distance between herself and Betty. Heather passed the mark 5m 3s after Betty. Brassel sailed a sterling race on the beat up to the Coromandel buoy for the last time. Betty went out on the long leg toward Somes Island, but gained no advantage from the wind there. Avenger rounded the Coromandel buoy 2m 40s Bhead of Betty. Rangi, Val and Heather rounded in that order, but were well behind. Forman. for the second time in the race, had trouble in setting Avenger's spinnaker, dropping it in the water again. The delay, however, did not make any difference to the result, as Avenger had established such a strong lead. She raced across the finishing line 3m 46s ahead of Betty. Rangi, Heather and Val were well behind. The actual sailing times were as follows : Avenger, 2h 21m 20s. Betty, 2h 25m 6s. Rangi, 2h 31m 555. Heather, 2h 32m 10s. Val, 2h 32m 20s.