SANDERS CUP CONTEST.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21266, 21 February 1931, Page 10

SANDERS CUP CONTEST.

RESAIL OF THIRD RACE. CANTERBURY’S FIRST WIN. YOUNG CREWS SUCCESSFUL. Avalon and Betty were badly beaten in the third (resailed) race for the Sanders Memorial Cup yesterday morning. The race was sailed over a windward and leeward course, and Colleen, the Canterbury representative, won a well-judged race by 35 seconds from the Southland boat Bona. The young crews were again to the fore, and deserved their success, as the boys sailed with more judgment than the skippers of the Wellington and Auckland boats. Avalon and Betty were overweighted with heavy crews, and both boats were almost lifeless in the light airs. The Canterbury and Southland skippers filled the leading places as a result of their skill and judgment. Over six miles of the course these skippers fought out the issue board for board. Before the competing boats left the boat harbour the indications were for a strong blow, and Avalon and Betty carried four men, w’hile Colleen, Rona, and Eileen were each manned with three light men. The breeze moderated before the race started, and was variable throughout. The work of the Canterbury crew was excellent an and oS the wind, and the spinnaker work by the boy in Rona was perfect. The Otago • defender, Eileen, again failed to show to any great advantage with a light crew, but her skipper would have filled third place had he kept Avalon more under Eileen s lee. In the last 50 yards at the end of the race the Auckland boat luffed up to pass to weather of the starter’s boat. The course was one of nine miles —three times round, the windward mark being a buoy moored opposite Ravensbourne, on the eastern side of the harbour, and the lee mark a pile off the Kitchener street wharf. A large crowd watched the race from the wharves and other vantage points. The crews were: — Betty.—A. Johnston (skipper). F. G. Harlen, W. Corrin, L. Roberts Oh. Avalon—D. Rodgers (skipper), r. Cloke, I. H. Larritt, M. Jones. Eileen.— I W. J. P. M'Culloch (skipper), J Robertson, C. Pettit Colleen.—G. Brassell (skipper), R.Forman, F. Collins. ... Rona.—V. Bragg (skipper), L. and G. Bragg. A splendid- start was made at 10.3 a.xn., all the boats being bunched. Eileen was first across the line. Within a few seconds Avalon and Betty were fighting for the weather position. Both stooa in to the wharves to get the influence ot the ebbing tide. Eileen did not hold her position for long, and Rona and Colleen made a losing board. When Rona, Colleen, and Eileen crossed after break-i-mr they were to weather oi Avalon and Betty. The Wellington boat fell away to leeward Near the channel wall Eileen, which was under working jib, sailed into second place. The wind now fell light, and Avalon and Betty did not make the speed that the other three boats made. M Culloch sailed his own race. When the other four boats stood to the eastern shore Eileen tacked along the channel wall, where she received assistance from the tide. In five boards Rona and Colleen were to weather of Betty, while Avalon was some distance astern. With the wind freshening from the north-east. Rona and Eileen weathered Avalon, Colleen, and Betty. The Southland boat continued to sail on longer boards further inshore, and rounded the weather mark 2min 26sec ahead of Eileen. Spinnakers were set very smartly tor the run to the lee mark. Rona carried the best breeze, but .in the flight air Avalon sailed past Eileen. 1 Betty was very disappointing* She fell off the wind, and showed none of her speed in the light weather. The wind veered a point or two more to the north, which placed Betty in an improved position. The Wellington boat gradually came ahead, and opened out a lead from Colleen, while Avalon and Eileen fell astern. The Otago boat later passed Avalon, and Konas lead was reduced. There was a hard battle rounding the mark. Colleen worked her way through, and four boats made the turn within eight seconds of one another. , „ , The wind freshened when the fleet was close-haulfed, and there was a fight for positions. Eileen beat Betty for the weather berth. Betty and Avalon sailed into a calm, while on a tack to star* board in the channel Rona, Colleen, and Eileen heeled over to the puffs Rona and Colleen, standing down channel, raced away When the fleet stood on a board to the eastern shore the breeze freshened, and Avalon showed her sailing powers. Pointing high into the wind, Colleen weathered Rona on a long board, and fetched the mark 37sec ahead of the Southland boat, with Avalon 4min 50sec astern. The wind again fell light after the boats commenced the second run. The slight gain of four seconds which Rona made on Colleen was due to the Southland boat carrying her spinnaker to the Kitchener street wharf mark. Eileen and Betty overhauled Avalon on the run. The Otago skipper scored when he crossed Avalon’s bow, and then luffing up caused Avalon to give way. Colleen and Rona now had a big lead. Changing their tactics, the two skippers stood across the harbour and worked the eastern shore. This course was also followed by Betty. The Wellington boat pointed high and, sailing very fast, easily weathered Avalon and Eileen, The Wellington boat, however, received the increased wind pressure too late to enable her to overtake Colleen and Rona, which were now fighting for supremacy board for board off the eastern shore. Avalon and Betty sailed well to windward, and Avalon placed the Wellington boat under her lee. Eileen fell further astern. She was unable to carry her leader, and her speed was affected to a marked degree. On the beat Rona gained only eight seconds ' on Colleen, and turning the weather mark for the last time Colleen had an advantage of 25 seconds. Her spinnaker was hoisted very quickly as she turned for the run home. The leading boats lost the wind for about a minute, and Eileen, beating up to the mark, greatly improved her position, being only 32 seconds astern of Avalon and 12 second ahead of Betty. The Southland boys proved themselves to be experts with the spinnaker twice on the run, and when Colleen and Rona turned the pile at Kitchener street wharf for the short beat to the line the Canter- • bury boat was only nine seconds ahead Colleen gradually drew away to win by 36 seconds. Eileen drew away from Avalon on the run, but was beaten at the line by the Auckland boat for third place. The sailing times were:— Colleen, 2hr 25min 46sec 1 Rona, 2hr 26min, 31sec 2 Avalon, 2hr 33min 21sec 3 Eileen, 2hr 33min 49sec 4 Betty, 2hr 35min 43sec 5 FOURTH RACE TO CANTERBURY. AUCKLAND BOAT DISQUALIFIED. The fourth race was sailed in the afternoon over a triangular course. The wind was light and tricky, and all the boats carried very light crews of three. The race was notable for the splendid performance put up by M'Culloch, the Otago skipper, who sailed his boat with great judgment and placed'- Eileen in the limelight. The Auckland skipper also sailed his boat very skilfully, especially in the fourth round, when he brought Avalon from fourth to first position. Opening up the lead every minute, the Auckland boat had the race well in hand, but her crew was again dogged by illfortune. The wind was very flukv when the fleet was on the run to the Vauxhall mark. Rona turned the mark with a lead of 15sec. Colleen, Avalon, and Betty fetched the mark In a bunch, and in making the turn Avalon’s bow fouled Colleen’s stern. The Auckland boat continued in the race, and it was a question whether she could finish within the time limit. The breeze held fresh and steady, and Avalon crossed the finishing line 2min 15see ahead of Colleen. After the boats had finished the judges called the skippers cf Avalon and Betty together and heard their evidence.concerning the foul. The •videnee was placed before a meeting of Dominion delegates later, and it was decided that Avalon was at fault, and she was disqualified and the race awarded to Colleen.

When Avalon rounded the last mark at the wharves she had 12min in which to complete the race, and she accomplished it with about 6min to spare. The crews were:— Colleen: G. Brasell (skipper), F, Forman, R. Henry. Avalon; D. Rogers (skipper), I. H. Larritt, P. G. Cloke.

Rona: V. Bragg (skipper), L. Bragg, R. Bragg. Betty: A. Johnston (skipper), F. G. Harlen, W. Corrin. Eileen: W. J. P. M'Culloch (skipper), J. Robertson, G. Reynolds. The wind was light and fluky from the north-west when the boats weer sent away with Rona, Colleen, Eileen, Avalon, and Betty crossing the line in that order. Eileen worked into the lead, but on the next board Colleen weathered the Otago boat, and a few minutes later Avalon passed to windward of Eileen., M'Culloch improved his position on the next board, being close to Avalon when the boats crossed on opposite tacks. Rona was sailing very fast at this stage, and she soon weathered Colleen, and then Avalon and Eileen. Sailing remarkably fast on a board along the eastern shore Betty and Avalon passed to windward of Eileen. Rona made the weather at the castle beacon in the next board and rounded with a lead of 35 seconds from Colleen, 47 seconds from Avalon, Imin 40sec from Betty, and Imin 51sec from Eileen. The wind was light when spinnakers were set for the run to the Vauxhall mark. Avalon and Eileen lost the wind for a time, but Betty caught a light air and closed in on Avalon. Rona gained two seconds on Colleen on the run, and the Southland boat eased her sheets with a lead of 37 seconds. Eileen, was soon in difficulties, as M'Culloch could not hold her on the wind with the leader. The sail was housed and a working jib set. Colleen gained as the result of splendid handling, and when Rona came on the wind after rounding the pile at the Kitchener street wharf, the Southland boat had a lead of only five seconds. Avalon now held third position, Betty fourth, and Eileen fifth. The Otago skipper sailed a mid-channel course, while the other four boats stood to the eastern shore. Avalon sailed into second place off Waverley Point, weathering Colleen in two boards. Eileen held to her mid-channel course, but M'Culloch gained little advantage, although she improved her position Iqter under the influence of a fresh breese. Rona increased her lead in the next two or three boards, and when she same off the wind for the second time she led Avalon by 4min, Colleen by 4min 13sec, and Eileen and Betty by nearly 6min. The strength had gone from the wind again, and Avalon, Colleen and Eileen made little headway for a time. There was a quick change in positions on the run to the Vauxhall mark. Colleen sailed into second and Eileen into third place. The Canterbury boat gained over two minutes on Rona on the run, and when she rounded the Vauxhall mark the Southland challenger had a lead of only 52 seconds. Only seconds separated Colleen, Eileen, Avalon and Betty _at the mark. It was a beat to the Kitchener street wharf mark in this round, as the wind had veered a point or two. Avalon went, away to leeward, and when she crossed later she was some distance astern of Colleen and Betty. The Wellington boat pointed right into the wind and made up, a lot of leeway, sailing into second position. Rona now led Betty by 47sec, and Colleen by over a minute. A change in the wind to the west gave the boats almost a lead to the weather mark. Kona’s skipper attempted to set the spinnaker, and this resulted in a setback to the boat. Betty gained over 30sec on Rona, and there was only a margin of Imin 30sec between Rona, Betty, Colleen, and Avalon at the weather mark: Eileen was then about 4min 30sec astern of the leader.

Each boat received the benefit of fresh puffs on the run. Eileen made up a lot of leeway. Colleen beat Avalon to the mark at Vauxhall, which Rona rounded with a lead of 15sec. Only seconds separated the next three boats. M'Culloch showed good judgment when Eileen came on the wind. He worked open water and stood away for the wharf mark with a free sheet. The Auckland skipper was also sailing a well-judged race, and Avalon soon weathered Rona, Colleen, and Betty. Eileen and Avalon converged at the mark, and M'Culloch made it a second ahead of Avalon. i

Another change in the wind gave the boats another beat to the lower harbour mark. The Wellington skipper settled his chance -by sailing to the channel wall, where Betty stemmed the tide and made little headway for several minutes. The wind was now fresh and steady from the north-east. Rona’s skipper made a great recovery on a splendid board, and the Southland boat weathered Colleen and Eileen. Rounding the weather mark for the last time Avalon led Rona by lOsec, and Eileen turned Bmin after the Auckland' boat. Betty was left in a flat calm at the mark. Eileen and Colleen stood well out before squaring away for the run. Colleen caught a strong puff, and raced away at a great speed. Avalon led Rona by Imin 48sec at Vauxhall. The sailing times were:— Colleen, 2h 54m 18s 1 Rona, 2h 55m 41s .. .. 2 Eileen, 2h 56m 6sec 3 Betty, 3h 1m 12s 4 Avalon’s sailing time was 2h 52m 3s. TO-DAY’S RACES. Two races, if necessary, will be sailed to-'day. The first will be over a windward and leeward course, starting at 10 a.m., and should Avalon,. Rona, or Eileen register a win the other race will be sailed over a triangular course, starting at 3 p.m. DOMINION CONFERENCE. MEETING OF DELEGATES. The Dominion Conference of the Yacht and Motor Boat Association of New Zealand met last night in the library of the Daily Times building, Mr J. T. Paul, president of the Otago Association, presiding over a full attendance of delegates. The principal business before the meeting was introduced by a letter from the Auckland Association regarding the proposed use of steel moulds in the building and measuring of Sanders Cup boats. There was considerable discussion on the advisability or otherwise of adopting this method, and it was pointed out that a remit to the last conference had been passed for the adoption of steel moulds. Mr A. Burt (Auckland) asked why the requirements of this remit had not been carried out. He wished to know why steel moulds had not been produced and used. ' The remit had been passed by conference and its requirements should have been carried out. Delegates were of divided opinion on the question, several speaking in favour of the use of steel moulds and others against the proposal. Mr W. H. Wagstaffe (Wellington) pointed out that a builder’s view of the construction of a boat might not concur with an architect’s view. He maintained that if steel moulds were to be used, they should be made according to the plans and specifications of the Rona type boat, and not copied from an existing. boat. This would ensure all provinces being on an even footing. The chairman said that the boats were constructed according to plans and specifications supplied by the Auckland Association. Boats had been accepted by conference, had been given the measurer’s certificate, and some had now competed in several Sanders Cup contests. Things appeared to have been running smoothly, but, from time to time, people had got the idea that certain boats were unbeatable—and they had subsequently been beaten. He asked what was going to happen if steel moulds were obtained and the boats were measured before each contest, with the result that one or more boats were disqualified. If that were to happen, the provinces concerned would probably become disgruntled, and it would mean the beginning of the end of the contest. He pointed out that the Auckland Association was the governing body and that remits passed by the conference had to be approved by that association before they became law. Mr Burt questioned this, but was assured by several delegates that it was the case. After further discussion the lollowing motion was put before the meeting:— “ That the Auckland Yacht and Motor Boat Association be recommended to give effect to tbe remit regarding steel moulds, which was passed at last Dominion Conference.” The motion was discussed, and was finally put to the meeting, being defeated by five votes to four. The voting was as follows: —For the motion —Auckland (1), Canterbury (2), Southland (1); against the motion—Wellington (2), Otago (2), Southland (1). Conference was then adjourned till this evening.