SANDERS CUP CONTEST.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20022, 12 February 1927, Page 12

SANDERS CUP CONTEST.

WINIFRED’S CHANCES BRIGHT. FIRST RACE TO-DAY. MOHEH ATE WEATITER FORECASTED. (From Oun Speciai. Reporter.) CHRISTCHURCH, February 11. This year's Sanders Cup contest at Lyttelton has attracted hundreds of visitors from all parts of the Dominion. Yachtsmen from Auckland to the Bluff are seen about the streets in Lyttelton, and everyone is waiting anxiously for the starting gun of the first race to-morrow. The conditions to-night are very favourable, and there is every indication of moderate wether prevailing to-morrow. Winifred, which will carry Otago’s colours, has keen given a good try-out., and the boat has greatly pleased not only the critics, but also the crews from the other provinces. A prominent Auckland yachtsman expressed the noinion this evening that Winifred will romp home if light weather prevails. Muriliiku 11, Southland’s new boat, has also created a very favourable impression, and she lias a large following. Canterbury supporters are firm in their belief that Betty cannot bo beaten, but the general opinion amongst visiting yachtsmen who have been watching closely the trial spins of the various boats during the past two days is that the final will be between Winifred and Mnrihiku II if the weather is_ light. Rona, Auckland's champion, is strongly rigged and excellently manned with one of" Auckland’s champion crews. Ilonas skipper, when conversing with the Daily Times representative to-night, said that he strongly favoured Winifred's chances of winning the Cup, as she was sailing beyond all expectations. Avalon has not yet created any great impression in the hands of the Napier crew, and Peggy has not been tried out. The first race is timed to start at * P«m. The annual meeting of the Cornwell Gup delegates was held at Lyttelton this afternoon. In the ballot for boats for the first race Southland drew Gad I'ly, a new boat built by George Andrews, the builder of Betty, and reputed to be very fast. It /as decided that when a member ot a Cornwall Cup crew was required to make np a Sanders Cup crew a substitute would be allowed in tbe former. Two courses were approved—a triangular and a windward and leeward. The first race will be held at 2.30 p.m. to-morrow. CIVIC RECEPTION. A civic reception was tendered to visiting yachtsmen at Chrustchurch this evening by Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P., in the absence of the of the Mayor (Mr J. K. Archer). Mr Sullivan said that he was sure that the interest of the public of Christchurch whicli bad not been shown in the response to the appeal for funds, would be awakened during the contest. He hoped that the best skipper, the best crew, and the best -boat would win. Mr J. B. Johnson (president of the Auckland Yacht and Motor Boat Association) said that the sporting_ spirit was the main thing connected with the contest, and not the winning of the cup. Immediately after the Christchurch function the yachtsmen were convoyed to Lyttelton by ’motor car, where they were tendered a reception by the Moyor (Mr F. E. Sutton) in the Borough Council Chambers. YACHTING CONFERENCE. EXTRA ELIMINATING RACE. Delegates representing the competing provinces attended the Dominion Yachting Conference held to-night in the Borough Council Chambers. Mr J. B. Johnson (president of the Auckland Yacht and Motor Boat Association) presided. Mr W. A. Wilkinson (Auckland) was appointed timekeeper and starter, and Messrs E. A. Davys (Otago). J. Moffatt (Wellington), and IV. T. Lester (Canterbury) were appointed judges. The time for the first race was fixed for 2.15 p.m. to-morrow, over a windward and leeward course. It was decided that the time limit for t)ie windward and leeward courses be three hours. The question of eliminating all boats which have not secured a win after three ■races have been sailed was discussed. The Southland and Auckland delegates expressed the opinion that as the contest had been conducted satisfactorily in the past they would only be looking for trouble if it were altered now. Mr J. T. Paul said it was hard on a province to scud a boat a long distance and, perhaps, to sail in only three races, and be advocated the introduction of a points system. Mr W. A. Wilkinson moved—“ That tlie present system be adhered to, -with the addition that there bo four instead of three eliminating races.”—The motion was carried. In view of the decision to sail an additional eliminating race, it will be necessary to sail two races in one day after boats have been eliminated. The chairman said it would not be wise to extend the contest over a long period, as it would mean heavy expense, and it would be necessary to sail two races a day. It was decided to start the second race at 2.15 p.m. on Monday, the third at 10 a.ra. on Tuesday, and the fourth at 2.30 p.m. on the same day. The conference will meet on Tuesday evening to decide the starting times of all subsequent races if any arc necessary. A remit was moved by the Wellington delegates to tbe effect that only Rona type boats be allowed to sail in all future contests. Mr J. T. Paul said it would not be a fair proposition for the provinces with boats which were not of the Rona type, and it would not be fair to the men who had put their money into the sport. If fh.o Rona type were so superior then time would prove whether that type should be favoured. It was absolutely impossible to build two boats alike. Mr A. B. Moffitt said it would be a shame to rule out Peggy and Winifred, the only two boats in the contest which are not of the Rona type. Ho thought they should leave these boats in in fairness to the young men now sailing them. Mr J. B. Johnson said there should be a time limit put on all restricted boats. The remit was not adopted. THE CORNWALL CUP. (Per United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, February 11. At the annual Cornwell Cup conference at Lyttelton to-day the officers elected were:—Chairman, Mr O. Mnllcr; secretary, Mr A. K. Smith: judge, Mr \V. Riddell; starter and timekeeper, Mr \V. Toomey. Despite the Dunedin request that the conference be not held until to-morrow morning, it was decided, in accordance with the rules, to jirocced with the conference tills; afternoon. It was decided that in the event of any member of the Cornwell Cup crew be big required to make np a Wanders Cup crew, substitutes be allowed in the Cornwell Cup crews. The draw for boats in the first race resulted; —Auckland, Wee May; church, Wctn; Lyttelton, Winsome; Napier. Comet; Dunedin, Bea Pearl; Halfmoon Bay, Gad Ely; Wellington, Kai Iwi. The spare boat is Ti-o.