SANDERS CUP TRIALS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19965, 6 December 1926, Page 13

SANDERS CUP TRIALS.

WINIFRED’S FOURTH VICTORY. FURTHER RACES UNLIKELY. Skilfully handled by George Kellett and his crew, Winifred secured another decisive victory in the fifth Sanders Cup trial race, sailed on Saturday afternoon over a triangular course. The wind was fresh and steady from the south and south-west. Winifred went into the lead on the first beat to windward, and increased her advantage over every stretch of water, finally crossing the finishing line 3min 49sec in the lead of Heather, and nearly 6min in the lead of Kia Ora. As Winifred has won four races and secured a second in the other trial, her position cannot be disputed, and she must represent Otago in the Sanders Cup contest to be sailed at Lyttelton early in February. The boats sailed three times round the course, a distance of about seven miles. The time limit was two and threequarter hours. Winifred gave a very fine exhibition of her sailing qualities, and sailed twice round the course in Ihr Imin 19sec, and completed the three rounds under Ihr 36min. The boats were sent away to a splendid start at 3 p.m.. Winifred being tne first to cross the line, closely followed by Heather, with Kia Ora several lengths astern Spinnakers were set smartly for the run to the Castle Beacon. Heather went into the lead, and rounded 25sec before Kia Ora, which had cut in on the mark and rounded 2sec ahead of Winifred. When Heather and Winifred met a minute or two later on opposite tacks Kellet put Heather about, and the Ray'ensbourne boat held the lead. Winifred gained 27sec on the first two boards, and led Heather by 39sec round the Anderson’s Bay mark. Kia Ora was 2min astern of the leader. Winifred drew further away from Heather on the lead to the starting line, and commenced the second round with a lead of Imin 15sec. Kia Ora gained 27sec on Heather on the lead from the Anderson’s Bay mark. Winifred gained another Issec on the run to the Castle Beacon, and commenced the second beat to windward with a lead of Imin 6sec. Kia Ora lost over 40sec on the run to the beacon. Sailing beautifully, Winifred increased her lead by 45sec on the close haul, and led Heather by 2min 45sec rounding the Anderson’s Bay mark. Kia Ora lost Imin 20sec on the beat to windward. ' Win.frcd crossed the starting line at 4hrs Imin 19sec, and commenced the third round with a lead of 2min 25sec from Heather, and 4min 46sec from Kia Ora. Kellett’s boat added another lOsec to her lead on the run before the wind, and commenced the last beat to windward with a lead of 2min 35 sec from Heather, and 4min 44sec from Kia Ora. Still sailing well, Winifred gained Imin on Heather on the last close haul, and led M’Culloch’s boat by 3min 34sec, and Kia Ora by smin 46sec, rounding the Anderson’s Bay mark for the last time. Kia Ora lost Imin 2sec on the beat to windward. Winifred gained another 15sec over Heather on the final lead to the line. 'Kellett and his crew were heartily cheered by the large crowd that lined the Victoria wharf when Winifred crossed the line. The official sailing times are as follows: Winifred (G. E. Kellett), Hi 35m 55sec 1 Heather (A. Booth), lli 39m 44s .. 2 Kia Ora (C. M. French), lb 41m 58s 3 The points secured by the three boats in the five races are as follows: Ist. 2nd. 3rd. Pts. Winifred 4 1 Kia Ora • 1 1 2 10 Heather —2 1 6 In view of Winifred’s unassailable position, it is not likely that any more trials will be sailed. The Sailing Committee w.ill be called together this week to decide the question. RONA WINS AUCKLAND TRIAL. (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, December 4. Only two boats, Rona and Nyria, competed in the first Sanders Cup trial race, Rona winnnig by one minute SO seconds.