THE SANDERS CUP COMPETITORS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18774, 30 January 1923, Page 5

THE SANDERS CUP COMPETITORS.

. 11EGATTA RACES. ' TWO SOUTHERN WINS. (From Our Special Representative.). AUCKLAND, January 29. The anniversary of the founding of the province was celebrated to-day in glorious sunshine, which vjas rather too warm for the average southerner. The regatta w'aa a spectacular success, great interest being taken in the 14-footer r&ces. In tho morning the first- race for this class, in which all tho Sanders Cup representatives started, was sailed in a fluky breeze, which blew in a different direction at various points. At the start, 'in a light northerly* Nyria got away well, with Linnet (Canterbury) second, Murihiku (Southland) third, Winifred (Otago) and Rona (Auckland) being well in the rear,- Of the large field the Murihiku very soon ran out in the ' lead, and Linnet passed Nyria at the Sandspit buoy. Jibe times showed Mari* hiku with a lead of Imin 20soc over Nyria, and Linnet and Desert Gold rounding 2tnin 18seo later. In the run to Resolution buoy, Winifred improved her position, Murihiku rounding Imin ISsoo ahead of Linnet, with Nyria 20seo later, Winifred 2min 25see behind Murihiku. In the long close haul to the top mark off Watchman Island Murihiku maintained her lead, ’ Winifred slightly improving her position, and -Rona displacing Linnet for second place. Rounding the buoy the order was: Murihiku, Rona, Linnet, Nyria, Joan, Winifred, Desert Gold, Eynin, and Iron Duke, the other competitors being far in the rear. Murihiku led Rona by 3mia, linnet by 4min saec, and Winifred was 9min lOseo behind the Southland representative. In setting spinnakers for the run before the wind Murihiku was slow, and Winifred was fast. Bona got within 7seo of Murihiku, and Linnet within 83sec. The boat* closed together a little, and Winifred retired. Murihiku won from Rona by 6minu 3sec. Nyria. was third, Bmin 6sec behind. Murihiku, and Linnet crossed the line Bseo later. It wap by no means a fine race, but Mirfihiku’s win was well-deserved and popular. By her victory she wins and holds tlj® Ross Cup, valued at 60 guineas, for dueyear, and also wins a small cash prize. The second race, carrying with it the Auckland Anniversary Regatta Championship, was sailed in the afternoon, under better sailing conditions, the wind-having freshened. It was a grand start, seven of the boats being in perfect line when the gun was fired, the others being in a goqd position. The Otago and Auckland representative boats on the extreme outside positions, and a little later Winifred crossed behind the fleet to the inside. This move lost her some tiilie, and after passing Sandspit the order was: Linnet, Lypin, Joan, Iron Duke, Nyria, Winifred, Desert Gold, Meteor, Rangi, and Rona., the others following close. Linnet sailed round Resolution buoy about 20sec ahead of Nyria, fallowed in turn by Iron Duke, Rona, and Joan; then in the long beat to windward Nyria overtook Linnet, and Winifred slightly improved her position* but the most notable recovery was the Iron Duke, with Lord Jellicoe at the tiller. Rounding the buoy off the Watchmih, Nyria and Linnet led Rona by 36sec, Iron Duke by 48sec, and Winifred by Imaa 52seo, Murihiku being ' only 30sec bqhip-d the Otago boat. Desert Gold, Rangi, Joan, end Eynin followed in that order, the other 1 boats being far behind. In the run Winifred did not improve her position, and passed Resolution buoy in sixth position. Nyria .led with Linnet, Rona, Iron-Duke, Murihiku, and Winifred in that order. -la turning this buoy Rona collided with -it, but continued in the race and failed to notify the officials of her mishap. .-The accident was unfortunate, for she agiledl a good race. After passing the SancWpit, Rona having headed Linnet, tie competitors divided into two bunches: Nyria, Rona, Linnet, and Murihiku coming opt from the shore, and the remainder hugging it. The result justified the leaders, and after some clever work the Canterbury boat crossed the line a few inches ahead,. pf Rona, the Southland boat following, vritb Nyria close up. Linnet wins £25" in' this prize, an extra £ls having been added in consideration of the winning boat being owned by a. visitor and steered by a yachtsman outside Hauraki Gulf. .■■■:! ' Tlie question of Rona fouling a budy has not been officially considered, but, according to racing rules, disqualification follows such a mishap. The first race for the Sanders Cup will be sailed to-morrow afternoon, and tho keenest interest is being evinced in the contest.