ABANDONED

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11735, 24 January 1924, Page 3

ABANDONED

FIRST SANDERS CUP TRIAL TWO BOATS CAPSIZE ifa SODTHERLY GALE. BONA IN THE LEAD. ! An eminent visitor once likened We 1 - lington’s weather to the little girl with a cnrl on her forehead. When she was good she was very good, but when she ohose not to he good, the same little girl was very bad indeed. This very accurately applies to the weather experienced during the past two days for the Sanders Cup regatta meeting. Anniversary Day was well nigh perfect, while during yesterday Port Nicholson gave the visiting yachtsmen a glimpse of her very worst harbour conditions. FIRST OF THE TRIALS. The first of the trials for the Sanders Gup, the most coveted honour in New Zealand yachting circles, took place in what practically amounted to a southerly buster. Although a start was made with the first race, two of the entrants, through displaying too much spinnaker, were capsized, and it was necessarily called off. Weather conditions were far too boisterous. The Rona (Auckland) was 1 well in the lead when this took place, and, indeed, was the only boat to round the buoy off Point Jerningham. It was here that the race was abandoned. Most o‘ the competitors had had enough of it during the comparatively short run from Evans Bay, without tempting Providence by essaying the run before the wind to the mark off Kaiwarra. ' They would undoubtedly have had a very difficult time in returning, so perhaps the wisest course was adopted. When the final summons came for the Rona to make for the boat harbour, instead of crossing tq the other side in continuation of the course, as was the intention of her crow, the Auckland boat was the only one left in the contest. If the Aucklanders had 1 csired, they could have claimed the race, as it was theirs, until they were advised by the official launch to return. The manner in which both the June Otago) and later the Konini (Hawke's Ray) capsized, demonstrated the fact that ihis light class of craft are quite unsuitable in Wellington harbour in weather conditions such as was experienced yesterday. It was somewhat significant that the Wellington representative, the Peggy, did not start; perhaps she was more acquainted with the vagaries of Poneke. It was intimated, however, that there had been «omo trouble with her gear. THE CREWS. The crews were as follow: — Rona (Auckland) —Messrs J. Gifford (captain), . H. Brown, A. Willetts, and E. Matthews. Konini (Hawke’s Bay) —Messrs Neil Gillies (captain), I. Gillies, S. Gillies, and W. Anderson. Linnet (Canterbury)—Messrs S. Sinclair (captain), R. Sinclair, C. Williams, and W. Morton. June (Otago)—Messrs C. French (captain). G. Kellett, D. Paterson,, and A. Booth. Murihiku (Southland) —Messrs T. Bragp (captain), W. Johnston, R. Bragg, and J Carson. IN THE RAIN. There was much delay, which incidentally did not add to the comfort of the crowds standing in the drizzling rain on the various points of vantage along the waterfront. It was not until 1.30 when a start was made for the first race in the Saunders .Cup contest. The start was a good one. The Konini was the first to get her spinnaker out, which incidentally eventually proved to be her undoing. The Linnet and Rona followed. In the heavy wind the Murihikq did not run np any extra sail. The June was the first to experience trouble, capsizing within six minutes after leaving. Her crew were promptly rescued by an oil launch. The Konini kept the lead quito comfortably with the Canterbury and Auckland boats following in the rear. ANOTHER, CAPSIZE. The Konini, well out of the water, with more spinnaker than was perhaps advisable under the circumstances, then turned over, landing her crow into the sea, which left the Rona leading. All

the boats shipped a good deal of water. With the exception of the unfortunate Hawke's Bay representative, canvas had been reduced. fc>he was leading from the Ron a by at least 200 yards when she met with this mishap. if the Napier crew had followed the decision of the others to reduce canvus, the results might have been very different indeed. The pace was too dangerous to last, as the Konini, well in the air, and with her bow out of the water, flew to her doom. Some declared that the spinnaker fouled the top of the mast, but this was , not verified, though still a possible explanation of the mishap. A HOWLING GALE. The Rona encountered a howling gale off the point, but she rounded the buoy successfully, reflecting great credit on the seamanship of lieT* crew, and was proceeding on her way across the windswept and decidedly choppy harbour to the other mark, wnen she was called back by the official launch. The Auckland, craft then turned and made for the boat harbour, in which forcution the Linnet wo a already proceeding. The Linnet was tne first to arrive there, the crew landing with a wet and very bedraggled appearance. They were welcomed by a smaLl knot of enthusiasts, who had braved the elements and watched the progress of the race from the seafront. The Canterbury men were greeted by one bystander with the query: "What dc- you think of our harbour?" The re-, ply of the skipper, fortunately, was not heard, but his expansive grin caused a hearty laugh. The Rona was the next, In. The other boats had returned to Evans Bay. TRIAL ‘'DECLARED ABANDONED. In the circumstances the race was offiscially declared to have been abandoned. A good deal of criticism was levelled in connection with the changing of the course, and in this connection it might bo said little consideration was shown by the management committee towards the public. There was much interest evinced in the contest, and before the official starting hour of 11 a.m. there was a good sized crowd waiting in the vicinity of the Clyde quay wharf. Heavy rain was falling at the time. No notice was given to the spectators that the route had been changed, a decision that the sailing committee had arrived at earlier. It would have saved much needless waiting in the ram at various points if a notice to the effect that the race would commence from Evans Bay had been placed on the Clyde quay wharf entrance. A considerable proportion of the public ! wore also of the opinion that, in view | of the weather conditions the race should ; never hav'e been started, but having ' been commenced it should have been continued while the boats left in the water were sailing so well. The next race will take* place on the harbour to-day ENTERTAINMENT POSTPONED. On account of the inclemency of the weather, the "joy night" carnival to i have been held in the Boat Harbour last night as part of the programme for tne j entertainment of the visiting yachtsmen has been postponed. Prospective patrons »! are advised to watch for an announce- j • ment t>y advertisement fixing another date