THE CORNWELL CUP.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20318, 28 January 1928, Page 20

THE CORNWELL CUP.

TO THE EDITOR. Sin, —1 fed sure that the majority of yachtsmen throughout the country are amazed at the extraordinary decision of tho Cornwell Cup Committee in ordering a race to bo re-sailed because two of tho competitors (neitnor of them the ultimate winner) were involved in a collision under the Port and Starboard Rule. In a lifelong connection with yacht racing I have witnessed quite a few fouls under the above and other rules, and have, myself, had my boat disabled by collision with another boat which was attempting to cross me on port tack (which is, therefore, an exact parallel of the Auck-land-Canterbury case), yet never have I known, hoard of, or expected a race to be re-sailed because of such breaches unless the winner was concerned in the foul. I am certain that, in dealing with the numerous cases which have occurred in the past, always provided (as was the case with Otago on this occasion) that the winner was not involved, no committee of any recognised clubs under Y.R.A. jurisdiction has ever, in the history of yacht racing, enforced such a decision. It is ’grossly unfair to deprive Otago of a race which ho fairly and squarely won. Dunedin would be well advised to forward an appeal to the Y.R.A., for there can bo only ono decision in the matter, and thereby make sure that a precedent is not established whereby any competitor in future who carries away his rigging, or is prevented from completing the course, can claim a re-sail on the grounds that “only for this or that happening—he might have won ” ? It was no doubt hard luck on Auckland having to retire as the result of an accident for which she was not to blame, but noverthloss this is all in the “ luck of the game ” and has been the lot of most of us, at some time or another, but inevitably accepted without protest, and none would ever have expected a “ re-sail,” or that the winner should forfeit her race, if she was in no way responible for any foul that occurred between other competitors in that race.—l am. etc., John Auchdale-Irvixe, L.E.Y.C., and lion, member R.Y.A South Wellington, January 25.