SANDERS CUP

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22479, 25 January 1935, Page 10

SANDERS CUP

FIRST RACE TO CANTERBURY SAILED IN HEAVY SEAS OTAGO BOAT CAPSIZES (Pee United Press Association) HALF MOON BAY, January 24. The first race in the 1935 Sanders Cup contest wa s held this afternoon in Paterson’s Inlet under conditions which demanded expert seamanship from the competing crews. A windward to leeward course of six miles was sailed twice in a heavy south-west wind, and for over two hours the spectators in the following launches were treated to many a thrill as the little craft breasted the heavy seas. Irene, the Canterbury boat, was first past the judge, and throughout the race she was handled in a competent manner. In the morning the sun shone fitfully, and there was promise of rain in the sky. but it was hoped that the weather would improve during the race. Rain squalls and a driving wind-, however, made matters very uncomfortable at times for both the crews and spectators. 11l fortune followed in the wake of the Wellington and Otago boats, and both capsized when running before the wind from Price’s Point to Thule. Betty broke her tiller and instantly went out of control in the heavy seas,. while Monica’s spinnaker became unruly and was the cause of precipitating her crew into the water. Evelyn, Southland’s boat, finished second, well behind Irene. The times were as follows: — 1 Irene, 2hr 30min —4hr 40min 51see .. 1 Evelyn, 2hr 30min—4hr 47min Sosec 2 The boats and crews were as follows; Irene’ (Canterbury).—E. O. Sinclair (skipper), H. May, F. Forman, R. Henry. Evelyn (Southland). —I. Gough (skipper), H. Gough, G. Gough, and R. Ferguson. Betty (Otago).—-I. M’Grath (skipper), J. M'Laren, W. Mason, R. Kennedy. Monica (Wellington).—D. M'Kenzie (skipper), C. Hollis, J. Nolan, J. Elliott. On the beat from Thule to Price’s Bay Monica was early in front, followed by Irene and Evelyn.- Betty, standing in towards the shore, struck a bad patch and took some time to beat, and she lost considerably on this tack. Soon afterwards Irene weathered Monica and increased her lead gradually to the mark, which she rounded half a minute ahead of Evelyn. Monica, through mistaking the mark, rounded a minute later.. Betty was now well astern.

On the first run back to the finishing line Betty and Evelyn s broke out leading jibs as spinnakers. Monica, in breaking out her spinnaker, forced Irene end Evelyn to follow suit. About halfway down the course Betty had the misfortune to break her tiller and capsized. Finishing the run the boats presented a very pretty sight. Irene was well in front, with Evelyn and Monica filling second and third places respectively. The Canterbury boat was giving a great exhibition of planing, but the Monica; in third position, was also showing a very good turn of speed. The last-named boat lost her spinnaker just as the buoy was reached. Irene, Evelyn, and Monica rounded the buoy in close succession, and on the beat to Price’s Wellington’s representative weathered Southland and took second position. At the Island Canterbury’s boat made a beautiful board through the channel, which materially increased her lead. Irene was followed round the mark by Monica a minute and a-half later. Evelyn turned four minutes and a-half after the leading boat. Monica, in pressing hard, skied her spinnaker and capsized. Canterbury’s boajt later took in her spinnaker to prevent trouble, and was content ,to pass the finishing line under the mainsail and jib. The next race will be sailed to-morrow afternoon over a triangular course. RULES OF THE CONTEST DESIRE TO AVOID CHANGE. (Per United Press Association) HALF MOON BAY, January 24. At a meeting of the Sanders Cup Conference to-night, after a full discussion,' it was agreed unanimously to recommend that the rules of the contest, as ratified after the conference, be not altered for a period of three years except with the unanimous consent of the associations comprising the New Zealand Yachting Council.