THE CORNWELL CUP.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20317, 27 January 1928, Page 10

THE CORNWELL CUP.

RULES OF YACHT RACING. VIEW OF OTAGO ASSOCIATION. APPEAL TO GOVERNING BODY. Matters in connection with the unsatisfactory result of the Cornwell Cup contest, sailed at Auckland last week, were dealt with at a meeting of the Otago Yacht and Motor Boat Association, held last evening. The President (Mr J. T. Paul) said that Mr G. (F. Bewley, the association’s delegate to the conference and contest, would submit his report, Mr Bewley read his report, which dealt with the sailing of the various races. The report was received. The President briefly explained the action taken when it was announced from Auckland that the enp had been won by the Auckland crew. In view of the widespread dissatisfation which had been raised in Otago, it "'as his duty to say something. In the first place he had not found anv dissension from the aclion taken by the Otago Association. Mr Paul then analysed the whole position. The point was whether Otago wpn the cup outright in three races. If it was proved that Otago did not win, then the association’s must fall to the ground. In referring to the fifth race, Mr Paul said that where the Sailing Committee made a mistake, and a most grave mistake, was in re-sailing the fifth race. The published reports showed that Otago showed superior speed and skill in four races. In regard to the rule quoted bv the Sailing Committee, he was of the opinion that the man overboard rule did not apply in this instance. The Cornwell Cup rule 3 was so vague that it would mean anything or nothing. What such a vague rule was inserted for was beyond his comprehension. He felt that Otago had a strong and sound case to cite to the Yacht Racing Association for a decision. The Otago Association would not be doing its duty to the sport unless it cited such an unsatisfactory ruling. The Sailing Committee had made a mistake in restricting the re-sail race to Otago and Auckland. The point to consider was whether Otago won the fifth race fairly, and if it did win, was the province entitled to claim th e cup ? The foul had nothing whatever to do with Otago. The only rule that applied to a resail was where a. man was overboard, when the Y.R.A. rule slated that competing boats must go to the assistance of a man or crow. This was a case of dire peril. He felt that the Sailing Committee’s decision absolutely deprived Otago of the cup. Ho felt the position very keenly. He felt sure that the decision which deprived Otago of the cup knocked the heart out of the Otago boys. The boys put up a wonderful performance, and Otago was justly proud of them. It was a great pity that a yachting contest should have such an unsatisfactory ending. Mr T. Anderson said it was not fair that Otago should have to pay the penalty for another crew’s misfortune. Otago had honourably won the Cornwell Cup. It was the duty of the Otago Association to take such steps as would bring forth a recognised ruling from the Y.R.A. Such an unfair decision as that given by the Sailing Committee no doubt affected the spirit of the Otago boys. No one could expect them to sail their best after such a ridiculous decision had been given. Otago had no desire to quarrel with Auckland, but Otago did ask for fair play. They should let the public realise that Otago was not fighting with Auckland. Otago was only asking for fair treatment, and was only endeavouring to uphold the honour of the province and to strictly adhere to the rules of yacht racing as defined by the Yacht Racing Association. The President said it was Mr Bewley’s duty to communicate with the Otago Association immediately such a decision had been given by the Sailing Committee. If Mr Bewley had done so, he (Mr Paul) would have called the members of the association together, and, having received their views, he would have instructed Mr Bewley to withdraw the Otago crew from the contest. M r Bewley had not done so, and, therefore, had made a mistake. ~

\Vhen questioned by several delegates, Mr Leiyiey said he never anticipated such a position arising. He had not received any definite instructions before his departure from Dunedin. H e added that the ‘-ailing Committee took every precaution and carefully considered every point betoie coming to a decision t 6 resail the tilth race.

~T he President said that rule 3 of the LornweU Cup contest was so meaningless that he could not conceive of any bodv of experienced yachtsmen basing any decision on such a rule.

The meeting was unanimous with the views expressed by Messrs Paul and Anderson, and after the matter had been discussed for dose on two hours the following resolutions were carried : “ That the Otago Yacht and Motor Boat Association, having carefully considered the action of the Sailing Committee, in deciding to ' resail the fifth race in the Cornwell Cup series of races, and all the rules and ordinary customs of the sea, together with the published defence of its actions by the Sailing Committee, is firmly of the opinion that such decision was contrary to the Yacht Racing Association rules and yacht-radng practice, and therefore wrongly deprived the Otago crew of the race and the honour of holding the cup. The association further resqlves that the decision is of such importance as to warrant a case being stated for the opinion of the Y.R.A. (the highest authority in the yacht-racing world), such case to be impartially prepared and agreed to by the Takapuna Boating Club and the Otago Yacht and Motor Boat Association. That a copy of these resolutions be forwarded to the Takapuna Boating Club and the Auckland Yacht and Motor Boat Association.

The President said that the Otago Association and the Takapnna Club should be able to act jointly in coming to a decision in regard to forwarding the resolution to the Yacht Racing Association. It was a fair statement of the position, and it was for the future 1 ettevment of yachting that a ruling should be obtained from the Yacht Racing Association. There was no reason why the decision of the Y.R.A., whatever it might be, should not be accepted by the Takapuna Club and the Otago Association.