SANDERS CUP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22948, 28 January 1938, Page 11

SANDERS CUP

FIRST RACE HELD WIN FOR WELLINGTON OTAGO BOAT SECOND" AUCKLAND FINISHES lAST [bv telegraph—owx correspondent] DUSTEDnT, Thursday Leaving her opponents well in the rear once she took the lead half-way through the first round, the Wellington representative, Kitty, capably handled by her skipper, Nigel Blair, won the first race of the 1938 Sanders Cup contest this afternoon in convincing fashion. Sailed over a windward and leeward course in a fresh north-easterly breeze which whipped up a fairly choppy sea, the race was an interesting one only until the Challis buoy was rounded, and after that Kitty increased her lead at every mark. Otago's challenger, Eileen, which has previously' won the cup, took second place fronf Canterbury's Manihi. Auckland's representative, Aileen, was last practically all the way. The race was started at 2.30 p.m. in the presence of a large crowd of spectators on the wharves and at various vantage points around the harbour. The finishing times were: —W ington (Kitty), 4h 14in 17s, 1; Otago (Eileen), 4h 18m 21s, 2; Canterbury , (Manihi), 4h 19m 325, 3; Southland (Lavina), 4h 19m 40s, 4; Auckland (Aileen), 4h 25m 30s, 5. The next race will be commenced at 10 a.m. to-morrow on a triangular course. An Excellent Start Auckland was first across the line in an excellent start, being closely followed by Canterbury, Otago, Wellington and Southland in that order. All the boats went across on the starboard tack, Otago holding the weather position. Canterbury was first about, Southland following a few seconds later, but the other three craft held on close to the wharf. Blair, at the tiller'of Kitty, even made a short board in an endeavour to gain the windward position but Eileen was to weather of him on a long board over to the peninsula. Cuthbert held his position with Wellington next, but Southland and Canterbury were well to leeward.

The Auckland representative was first about, the others holding on until they were close under the lee of the peninsula, and when Canterbury finally changed tar-ks Eileen was to weather of Wellington. Auger, skipper of Aileen, worked the peninsula side of the harbour on the long beat down to the Challis mark, but he gained no advantage from the falling tide. The rest of the fleet was out on a mid-channel course, leaving the Auckland boat "well behind.

Otago, Wellington and Canterbury staged a grand tussle as they worked down the harbour. Cuthbert's knowledge of the course stood him in good stead as he. strove to keep his slight lead over Kitty. As they laid the mark Cuthbert was stijl in the weather position with Kitty and Manihi fighting it out board for board. Brasell, in the Canterbury 14-footer, made a short board, apparently not being high enough up, and Cuthbert covered him, both boats overlaying the buoy. Blair took Kitty from under their lee and rounded first about 22s ahead of Eileen, with the Canterbury craft only 10 seconds behind. Lavina, last year's winner, followed nearly two minutes later, Auckland being last. Spinnakers Smartly Set

With the exception of Aileen all spinnakers were smartly set for the run down to the Kitchener Street pile and Blair, keeping his craft beautifully trimmed, planed along at a great speed, ( increasing his lead every minnte.', Manihi gradually overhauled Eileen and took second place before Castle Beacon was passed. Southland and Auckland were well back. At the Kitchener Street pile, where the official placings... were taken, the positions were as fol-'-lows:'—Wellington, 3h 20m; Canterbury, 3h 21m ss; Otago, 3h 21m lis; Southland, .3h 22m ss; Auckland, 3h 23m 15s. " " *

It was apparent at this stage th'&fe unless Kitty struck trouble she had the race well in hand. The Canterbury skipper made a mistake when he failed to cross the starting line between the buoy and Victoria wharf, and "was recalled, losing valuable seconds. Eileen was thus given second place, while Lavina Just weathered Manihi as she came round the starting buoy. Substantial Lead The Wellington boat had •& substantial lead as she beat over to the peninsula, but Eileen, sailing well, reduced the distance considerably on the next board. Kitty held on to the weather position, however, and gradually pulled away again as they approached the Challis buoy for the second time. She gybed round smartly, set her 'spinnaker quickly and sthrted off on the last run about three minutes ahead of Otago. Canterbury and Southland followed close together with Auckland still last. Kitty continued to gain ground on the run and rounded the Kitchener Street pile 3m 55s in front of Eileen, Canterbury following 1m 30s later. Southland was close behind with the Auckland boat, planing beautifully at this stage still last. Two short boards took Kitty to the finishing line, which, she crossed 4m 4s ahead of Eileen. Canterbury was in third placfe, lm lis later, 8s ahead of Southland. Auckland finished 4m 50s after Southland. ADDITIONAL DISTRICTS LARGER SCOPE FOR CONTEST [BV TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] DUNEDIN, Thursday A decision to allow separate representation apart from the usual provincial districts in future Sanders Cup contests was made at a conference to* night of the Sanders Memorial Cup Contest Committee. Other districts which will bo eligible to take part in future Sanders Cup races will be Stewart Island, South Canterbury (Timaru), Bay of Plenty (Taurangai), and North Auckland (Whangarei).