DOMINION YACHTING CONFERENCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20335, 17 February 1928, Page 8

DOMINION YACHTING CONFERENCE.

SANDERS CUP ARRANGEMENTS. ELIMINATION AGREED TO. FIRST RACE THIS AFTERNOON. (Special to Daily Times.) HALFMOON BAY, February 16. Ideal summer weather is anticipated for the annual contest for the Sanders Cup. To-day there was a gentle breeze from the north-east, and the smooth waters of Paterson's Inlet sparkled in the bright sunshine. The contest has aroused considerable interest throughout New Zealand. The island is crowded with visitors from all parts of the Dominion, and the tug Southland brings further contingents every day. All the crews are greatly impressed with Paterson's Inlet, which, they state, is the finest and most picturesque stretch of water to be found in any part of the Dominion.

The various crews spent the morning in preparing their boats for the ‘contest. The Auckland boat Avalon is perhaps the most pleasing to the eye. The Otago boat Eileen and the Canterbury representative, Betty, the holder of*the cup, were the only boats out to-day. Eileen sailed very fast in the fickle breeze. Avalon only reached the sheds at Thule on Wednesday morning. She was nearly seven days on the journey from Auckland, but reached th© island in perfect order. The stage is set for the contest, which gives every promise of being one of the most interesting since th© inception. The crews are very keen, and every one is sanguine of success. The Stewart Island folk gave th© crews and the visitors a rousing reception on Wednesday

evening. The annual Dominion yachting conference was held this afternoon, when delegates representing the five provinces competing in the Sanders Cup contest were present. The delegates were: Messrs A. B. Moffett, C. Hansen (Southland), J. Hislop, J. Patrick (Auckland), J. Moffatt, J. B. L. Jukes (Wellington), A. T. Round, G. G. Andrews (Canterbury), and J. T. Paul and H. Camp (Otago). Mr Moffat (Wellington) was chairman. It was decided that the first race be sailed on Friday over a windward and leeward course, starting at 1-30 p.m. It was also decided that the judges, together with Messrs C. Hansen and T. Bragg, fix the courses before each race. It was resolved that all the boats entered for the contest be accepted without question.

The following judges were appointed for the contest; —Messrs H. Camp, J. Moffat, and A. B. Moffett. Mr W. 0. Martin (Otago) was appointed timekeeper, and Mr J. B. Jukes (Wellington), P. 0. Wheatley (Otago), and J. Watson (Stewart Island) starters.

Mr Paul, in reply to a question by a delegate in regard to appointing a Dominion measurer, said that the Otago and Auckland Associations were not in favour of the appointment of such an official. Mr Paul explained that the Auckland body was the governing body so far as the Sanders Cup contest was concerned. The delegates agreed with this, and it was later stated that the question of the appointment of a Dominion measurer had been dropped. Mr Paul said that in view of the fact that the Sanders Cup contest was a great asset to the young generation in the way of training young men for the sea the council should approach the Government with the request that all crews competing in the contests should be carried free. Mr Moffett said it cost a great deal of money to sent boats and crews from one province to another, and as the contest was a memorial to a brave New Zealander the Government, and also the Union Steam Ship Company, should be asked to assist the Dominion Council. A resolution was carried to the effect that the Government be approached bw a deputation representing the various provinces with a request that free transit should be provided for boats and crews competing in all Sanders Cup contests. On the motion of Mr Paul, it was decided that the second and subsequent races should be sailed alternately over windward and leeward courses, and that the time limit for each race should be three hours.

Mr Paul said he was in favour of continuing the contest until one boat had secured three wius. As some of the toats had come a tong distance, he thought none of them should be eliminated. Mr Hislop said he did not think this could be carried out, as the governing body controlled the contest. He contended that if a boat could not secure one win in four races it should not be considered. If non-elimination was agreed to, there was a possibility of the contest being drawn out to 11 races. Mr Moffett said he did not think it would be wise to decide to allow a 1! the boats to sail to the end of the contest. He was in favour of eliminating all boats which did not secure a win in four races. An amendment moved by Mr Moffett that elimination take place after the sailing of four races was carried.