SANDERS CUP CONTEST.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19513, 23 June 1925, Page 4

SANDERS CUP CONTEST.

FIRST RACE IX FEBRUARY. 'ARRANGEMENTS FOR SPECTATORS. A definite decision in connection with the sailing of (lie Sanders Cni> l!)2(i contest was arrived at last night at a meeting of delegates of the Otago Yacht, and Motor Boat Association. The decision to sail the lirst race at the end of the third week in February was arrived at after the president had consulted with the harbourmaster on the question of suitable tides. Tlie Chairman (Mr \V. R. "Waters) said (hat after looking into (he question of tides, it was found that the races would have to he sailed at the end of the third week and the beginning of the fourth week in February. If the races were started early in February it would not. give the Auckland boat's crew time to get to Dunedin after frying out its boat in (he Auckland Regatta on January 20. In any case the tides during the third and fourth weeks in February would bo, far more suitable. If the lirst race was sailed on Friday, February It), it would bo almost flood tide. It was decided (hat the first race of the Sanders Cup contest be sailed on the morning of Friday, February 10. The second race will be sailed the next day.

Mr Davys said it was doubtful if there were sufficient depth of water at the north side of the boat harbour. It appeared to he very shallow there, and in view of the Sanders Cup races' being started from off the boat harbour he wished to know if anything was going to lie done to improve matters.

The Chairman said that he had mentioned Hie matter to the engineer of the Otago Board, and ho -had stated that soundings would tie taken.

Mr Goodwin also stressed the necessity of improving conditions at the bout harbour. He said that it was time the association considered the question of sailing the Sanders Cup races in full view of the wharves for (lie benefit of the public. Mr Davys said lie would like to see the races started from the wharves, but. the boats would be placed at. a great, disadvantage through losing the wind if any large steamers were lying at the wharves. The Chairman said that it might lie possible to start I lie races from the end of (lie Birch street wharf, and that question could be gone into. f Mr Davys said there would be one advantage by starting the races from off the wharves by reason of the .fact that the Victoria wharf would probably be barricaded its full length, and this would result in a big revenue. The Chairman said that they would view the water around the wharves during the lirst strong north-easter. They would (lieu lie in a better position to discuss (tie matter and make a recommendation to tlie Dominion Council. Mr Goodwin said that the present starting and finishing line at the boat harbour was dangerous. It was almost an obstruction, owing to the curve in the retaining wall. The Chairman said (hat they would thoroughly examine the wall and take every precaution to eliminate any trouble for the competing crows.