SAILING DUEL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23275, 18 February 1939, Page 15

SAILING DUEL

AUCKLANDERS FIRST

LATER DISQUALIFIED

POINTS TO AUSTRALIA

EXCITEMENT OF FINISH

From the swift action, the disasters, the triumphs—and the disqualifications r—of yesterday's second raco of tho series of three for the world's IS-footer Bailing championship, one fact stood out as clear as Bangitoto on a sunny morning—that in the Jeanette Auckland has a boat of world championship class indeed, and that when her skipper, J. Fair, has had more experience he will be a very hard man to beat at the tiller in any company. He made mistakes yesterday, but in spite of them lie snatched victory ffrom the very 'brink of defeat—and then was disqualified for a breach of the rules.

It seemed hard luck indeed after that i(gruelling race; but one of the first -lessons racing skippers have to learn is ptkat the rules of yacht racing are—;«nd must of necessity be—as the laws Sof the Miides and Persians, and that it is the plain duty of officials to enforce them. < In all the long history of yacht racing Jfin Auckland, it is safe, to say, no more •exciting victory has been seen than the •Jeanette's triumph yesterday over vtlie Sydney boat St. George—now officially declared' tho winner. The cheers and shrieking whistles that signalled it expressed the pent-up emotions of a crowd |of watchers on over 30 launches and steamers, and lining the shores—a crowd . whose hopes and anxieties had seesawed with the changing fortunes of a kgreat contest, of which the end was in Ndoubt right to the hom.e stretch.

Thrills for the Crowds | No better conditions could have been Ordered than the calm sea and light but freshening breeze, and the crowds who 'came to see the Sydney boats at their £best were given their wish—and something more': they saw the famous ringtails and ballooners set, and cr6ws forking like beavers in handling sail, 3uid they saw too an Auckland boat handicapped by loss of gear and yet .ibeating the crack sail-carriers from over Hhe Tasman.

I It was Auckland's day for disasters, %>o. There was a curious quietness and *»ir of suspense as the fleet circled silently behind the starting line, with sheets eased and sails shivering in the •southerly breeze, until the gun cracked •and swinging to starboard they were jeff on the course for the Chelsea mark, fwith shouts of: "Look out!" and hands fending off'the crowding hulls. Leader Loses Mast The Auckland V-boats Lanai and •ijeanette drew to the front under the pull of their smartly-set leading-jibs, footing it a shade faster than the Australians on this point of sailing. Round they came at the mark, the Lanai leading the Jeanette, and both well clear of the traffic jam that developed astern of them as the mass of boats coming up ''to the buoy and gybing round passed through those still pressing on. The St. George and the Taree, with the wind finer on the bow, now began to pick up a little on the leaders. Then came the first disaster. There was a loud crack, and overboard went the lanai's mast. Ruefully her crew gathered in the wreckage as the'fleet swept past, with commiserating waves from rival crews and cries of "Hard luckl" from the crowded launches. ..

Up and tip on the Jeanette, now leading, crept the St. George, easily .the best of the Australians; and as she drew level with the St. Mary's Bay breakwater excited shouts from the spectators called attention to the setting of her ringtail, a wide hand of canvas that added feet to the breadth of her mainsail betwen peak and clew. Eunijlng Neck and Neck Only seconds ahead, the Jeanette swept past the buoy and broke out her spinnaker, but the St. George, her own iuge spinnaker swiftly ballooning from her peak, drew relentlessly up, and toon thev were running neck and neck. Farther 'back, the Taree and the Malyina had their "kites" set.too, but the latter's ringtail was dragging in the .water as her long boom dipped, and - jßras of little use. Round the Shoal Bay mark went the Jeanette and St. George, with the Taree next and the rest of the Jcfet fighting their own battle astern. Rearing Xorthcote point the Jeanette broke Ttacks, standing away on the starboard tack against the tide, but the bt. Georce held on longer, wisely, for at {the St. Mary's buoy again she was in the lead, for She first time, by seconds. Second Disaster Balloon ifbs wro set fcr tko next jec, jback to the, Chelsea Buoy, and then / . <came the second disaster. The Jeanette s ibirr sail s.icldeuly parted company from ;the spinnaker-boom on which it was cuyed outforwcird, and flapped aloitwhile the bopm splashed into the sea and was lost. With only her working sails, it seemed she must bo out or the race with her Sydney rivals, and indeed the Taree overhauled her before the Chelsea mark was reached. Spectators resigned themselves to hoping ior ibetter luck next time. The St. George was 43 seconds ahead ®f the Jeanette at the buoy, and the Taree led lie'r by nine seconds, while the Arline and .the Vaalelo were not far astern. , Now the breeze freshened, and with Bet teeth Fair chased the Australians down to St. Mary's again. Tno Jeanette herself seemed to sense the ■effort that was needed, and planing nobly under her working sail alone, she crept, up on tho Taree and presently Dassed the Sydney champion, big ballooner and all! It was a great moment for tho Auckland supporters. The Final Duel

j Tho Taree now safely astern, the gallant Jeanetto set out' after the St. tfeorge, 'which was tearing along under hfir huao spread of sail, her crew leaninc nut in a tense row. Only 13 seconds behind tho St. George at tho breakwater mark, tho jeanettc's skipper set his spinnaker with ■ difficulty 011 a small spars fcpar for tho vitally important last run down to Shoal Bay, and picked up valuable ground in tho freshening puff's. Then came his golden chance. _ Tho St. George, now labouring under her press of canvas, was unablo to gybe at the Shoal Bay mark, ran on ■past it, and came about. Tho Jeanetto shot round tho buoy and, amid tho wild excitement of the spectators, was more in the lead I It was blowing freshly now, and there was little doubt about the outcome of the,, beat back to tho finishing line, for thia Jcanette was pointing high and standing up to it easily, while the St. George had to be luffed 111 tho hard puffs. Sailing grandly, the Auckland boat came about for the last tune ' and crossed •the line lm los ahead of the St. George amid a great burst of cheers and tho enthusiastic tooting or steam whistles. Tho St. George's skipper ar»d crew were likewise given a and mechanical salute, for they ®ad sailed a splendid race*