YACHTING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22743, 2 December 1935, Page 3

YACHTING

SANDERS CUP TRIAL BETTY’S FIRST WIN Betty registered her first win in this season’s Sanders Cup trials on Saturday, when the fifth race was sailed over a windward and leeward course from the Ravensbourne Boating Club’s shed. Conditions suited her perfectly, a light northeasterly prevailing for the .first round, but after that the breeze dropped, and for the remainder of the race was very puffy. Eileen took second place, after leading for the whole of the first round, and Winifred was third. Val put up a mediocre performance compared with her exhibitions in the previous trial?, and finished in fourth position nearly 19 minutes behind the first boat. At one stage even Squib, with her less experienced crew, gained four minutes on her in a run before the wind.

All the boats went away to one of, the best starts seen so far in the trials, Squib holding the weather position slightly as they crossed the line. Betty took the lead from Val after some close work inshore, but on the next board the positions were reversed, Betty having to pay away to let Val pass to weather. As the fleet approached the windward mark Val was in front, and Eileen had taken second place, closely followed by Betty'and Winifred. Eileen put in some good work on the board to the pile and rounded 35 seconds in front of Val, who had a lead of nine seconds over Betty, Winifred following 55 , seconds later. Then came Heather 3 minutes 30 seconds behind, with Squib another 1 minute 15 seconds away in last place. Smart spinnaker work was noticeable on all the boats, and they made fast time on the run down to the leeward mark. _Eileen maintained her lead, although it was reduced somewhat by Betty, who caught Val before they reached the pile. Eileen rounded 22 seconds in front, only two seconds separating the second and third boats. Winifred was round next, 1 minute 40 seconds later, but Squib and Heather had dropped back and were already out of the race. A lucky puff of wind, combined with good weather work, put Betty in the lead as they approached the club wharf. Up to this stage the race had been full of interest, but from then on it resolved itself into a procession. Val stood out into the channel on the second beat up the harbour, and she was caught by the incoming tide. All the other boats stood inshore. Winifred’s skipper showed smart seamanship and displaced Val in third position, but Betty was now well in the lead and was drawing away from Eileen every jninute. She rounded the bottom mark 3min 15sec in front of the second boat, and, receiving the advantage of a good puff of wind, gained a further minute on the run down the channel. She was round the top pile before some of the other yachts had made the leeward mark. It was at this stage that Squib was sailed particularly well and gained four minutes on Val. There was no change in the positions of any of the fleet during the closing stages of the race, Betty winning easily in the failing wind by smin 7see from Eileen, who was 2min 31see ahead of Winifred. Val, Heather, and Squib finished in that order about equal distances apart. The result was as follows: — /Betty, 2hr 1 min 30sec .. .. 1 Eileen, 2hr flmin 34sec .. 2 Winifred, 2hr lOmin .. .. 8 RAVENSBOURNE BOATING CLUB BETTY WINS OLIPHANT CUP. Although the yachting season was officially opened some weeks ago with a combined meeting at Port Chalmers, the Ravensbourne Boating Club followed its usual practice on Saturday of holding its own opening. Bright sunshine and a light, although variable, breeze made conditions perfect for yachting, and the meeting was easily one of the most successful of its kind conducted by this club. The organisation of the officials left nothing to be desired and the races were started punctually. There were about 20 yachts of all sizes present. The Oliphant Cup contest, for 14-footers, wps run in conjunction with the fifth Sanders Cup trial, and was won easily by Betty, with Eileen second and Winifred third. The Shamrock Cup, for B Grade yachts, was won by the holder, Starlight, the only other starters, Yvonne and Taroa, finishing second and third respectively. The Allcomers’ Yacht Race was won by Dawn from scratch, Vera, with a handicap of 7min 30sec, being second. Shadow was third.

Tlie official opening ceremony was conducted by the commodore of the club, Mr W. Webber, in the presence of a large crowd, which included the Mayor of West Harbour (Mr A. Smith), Mr J, W. Munro, M.P. for the district, and Mr A. Burt, representing the Otago Yacht and Motor Boat Association, all of whom offered their congratulations to the club. The following are the results of the races, the sailing times being given:—

OLIPHANT CUP, 14-FOOTERS. Betty (Imin SOsec), 2hr Imin 30sec 1 Eileen (3min), 2hr Omin 34sec .. 2 Winifred (4min), 2hr lOmin .. .. 3 Also started:! Val (scr). Heather (omin), Squib (7min),

SHAMROCK CUP, B CLASS YACHTS. Starlight (scr), Ihr 13min SOsec .. 1 Yvonne (4rain SOsec), Ihr 27rain

30sec , 2 Taroa (Omin), Ihr 34min 30sec .. 3 ALLCOMERS’ RACE. YACHTS OVER 20 FEET. Dawn (scr), Ihr 18min Ssee ... .. 1 Vera (7min SOsec), Ihr 29min 40sec 2 Shadow (3min SOsec), Ihr 31min losec 3 Als6 started: Irex (lOmin 30sec).