THE SANDERS CUP

Otago Witness, Issue 3595, 6 February 1923, Page 58

THE SANDERS CUP

FIRST RACE OF THE SERIES. A WIN FOR CANTERBURY. (I rom Ouk Special Representative.) AUCKLAND, January 20. lhe first, eoisode in the Sanders Cup toay «as the civic reception tendered to the visitors for which Mr 11. E. Moller, commodore cf the Otago Yaoht and Motor ■t>oat Association, returned thanks. In the early afternoon, in excessive heat, with a moderate southerly blowing, the first test over a windward and leeward course was started. The following boats and crews faced the starters:— Rona (Auckland). —A. Mathews (helmsman), Brown, and F. Burke. Eynin (Wellington).— E. Bailey, M. Craw- ; ford, and C. Harris. Linnet (Canterbury).— S. Sinclair (helmsman), C. Henderson, and R. Sinclair. Winifred (Otago).-G. Kellett (helmsman), E. 1 reurn, and O. Connor Murihiku (Southland).—T. Bragg (helmsman), x. Widdowson, and H. Hansen. It was 1 bad start, in which Winifred O ot a.way last, Rona, Eynin, Murihiku, ar ‘, Lmnet preceding her in that order. Inside five minutes, on the run before the ur- V R J ona dp °PPed behind Murihiku, and V\ mitred moved up, accompanied by Linnet Murihiku led Winifred by 23sec at the eastern tide deflector, the order being Lin--L nIn ' and . Rona. Winifred overhauled Murihiku entering Hobson’s Bay, the order being Winifred, Murihiku. Linnet, Rona, and Kynin. Winifred and Murihiku were now fighting for first place, which Winixied won, and 24 minutes after the start Linnet sailed into second place. Rona’a spinnaker skied with a freshening of the wind’ and passing the sandspit beacon Winiired was only lsec ahead of Murihiku and 4sec ahead of Linnet, Rona being Hmin away and Eynin another £min behind Rona. Passing the North Head Winifred led Murihiku and Linnet, a few seconds only separating them. Several slight changes in the positions occurred approaching the white 1 jxV tne L ,f xtrem e turning ‘point. Winifred Murihiku round by lOsec and Linnet by tfdseo while Kona followed 2min and Eynin 3min later. In the beat to windward to the North Head all the competitors, with the execution of Eynin, took the port tack, and the Wellington boat here destroyed any chance of success which she might have had Winifred went about first, followed closely by Muri“*ku - Rona hugged the Head more closely than the others,. and at the end of several short tacks Winifred led, with Linnet following close. Murihiku was far out on the starboard tack. Rona came up very fast at this stage, passing close under Winifred s stern, Murihiku now assumed the lead from Rona, passing the Sandspit Beacon lmin lOsec ahead of Rona; Winifred was third and Linnet was fourth, with Eynin quite out of the race. In the further beats to windward very little separated Murihiku, Rona, Winifred, and Linnet, which were sailing in that order on different tacks. At the end of an hour and 20 minutes’ sailing Murihiku was first, Winifred second, and Kona third. At this stage of the race much speculation took place as to the tactics of the various skippers. With the exception of Winifred all-the other boats tacked to starboard, Winifred keeping a good course, sailing well into the wind. Unfortunately Vv inifred struck a calm patch for a second or so, though the wisdom of her tactics was proved by a piece of exceptionally dever sailing, aided by circumstances. Murihiku cut Winifred out of first place at the mark boat turn. As showing the close position of the boats at this point of the race — the first- round—the times were: Murihiku, 3hr 32min lOsec; Winifred, 3hr 32min l2sec ; Linnet, 3hr 33min 46sec; Rona, 3hr 33min 52sec; Eynin, 3hr 38min 44sec. Winifred had a little trouble with her spinnaker after leaving the mark boat, but she was being handled well. Leading Linnet and Rona, she sailed a straight course for the sandspit beacon, while Murihiku stood far out to starboard. The race w'as now a procession, and Winifred led Murihiku round the beacon for home by 22sec, Linnet by 38sec, and Rona by lmin 9sec; the Wellington boat being 2min 40sec behind Rona. On the boat to weather Winifred stood furthest out, in a measure reversing the tactics which helped her a few minutes earlier in the same waters. At this stage Murihiku failed to hold her own, and was not again dangerous. The final struggle for supremacy appeared at this stage to rest between Winifred and Rona, with the probabilities strongly favouring the Otago boat Linnet was also in a very handy position, and disposed of the Auckland defender’s chances. At this ■ point the interest was intense. With the issue in doubt, and only a few seconds to go, Winifred and Linnet went about when close to the line, and in a sensational finish Linnet defeated Winifred by Ssec, the finishing times being:

SECOND RACE WON BY MURIHIKU , AUCKLAND, January 31. In a very light nor’-east wind, which at times was almost a flat calm, competitors having to be towed to the line, the second test race for the Sanders Cup was sailed to-day over a triangular course, the race starting at 11 a.m. 'lhe Auckland defender carried a new crew, V. Lidgard, who sailed Desert Gold to victory in the third race of the series in Otago Harbour last year, replacing yesterday’s skipper. Winifred and Murihiku carried the same crew as yesterday, and with the single exception of the defender the helmsmen were unchanged. Eynin led over the starting line, and Winifred was close at the rear. Rona took the lead early in the race, but Linnet soon sailed through her lee. For a time little change took place in the positions, but the different tacks were productive of slight changes, on account of lucky puffs. Winifred stood out to port away from the other competitors, and this tactic was undoubtedly a failure. Eighteen minutes after the start the order was: Murihiku, Linnet, Eynin, and Rona, Winifred being far in the rear. Murihiku slightly increased her lead, and Winifred was the only boat not using her leading jib. The only change passing

Uevonport wharf was that Eynin displaced Linnet for second position. Kona passed all her competitors at 44min, she having the advantage of a breeze which for the others had petered out. At the Sandspit Beacon (the first turning buoy) the timings were: Rona, 49min 45sec. Murihiku, 50min. Eynin, 51min lOsec. Linnet, 51min 30sec. Winifred, 54min lOsec. With their boat 4min 25sec to the bad the supporters of the Otago challenger were not jubilant, but in the run across to the next turning buoy, off Orakei Point, she improved her position slightly with a little more wind. The boats were sailing better, and Murihiku closed in on Rona, the timings on the turning buoy being: Kona, lhr smin llsec. Murihiku. lhr smin 30sec. Linnet, lhr 6min 30sec. Eynin, lhr 6min 38sec. Winifred, lhr Emin 50see. In the long run to the mark boat Rona led Murihiku, the other boats retaining their positions, except that Winifred in the early part of the run did very badly, but retrieved some lost ground in the latter part. The timings at the mark boat, which completed the first round of the race, Were : Rona. lhr 28min lOsec. Murihiku, lhr 28min 33sec. Linnet, lhr 30min 15sec. Eynin, lhr 32min 15sec. Winifred, lhr 32min 45sec. Linnet was here favoured with a good lead of wind, which freshened and favoured all the boats equally, though Rona got a good breeze off the land. Murihiku sailed along in capital style, and passing Devonport wharf was,3ssec ahead of Linnet, who had temporarily come into second place, anu was lmin 29sec ahead of Rona. The boats passed Orakei buoy in the same order, the timings being: Murihiku, lhr Bmin 22sec; Linnet, lhr 9min 20sec; Rona, lhr 9min 25sec; Eynin, lhr lOmin 32sec; Winifred, lhr llmin 20sec. , The wind was now a shade more northerly and a little stronger, and as Rona headed Linnet very quickly and gained slightly on Murihiku on the run, Auckland’s hopes ran high. At Resolution Buoy there was only 46seo between the Southland and Auckland boats, and the northerners felt that all was not lost. In desperation Linnet hoisted her spinnaker, but it was useless, and she lost ground. Winifred was now sailing better, but her display on the day was most disappointing. Not once did she appear to be in trim and happy, and she viewed the whole race from afar off. Murihiku won from the defender of the

THIRD RACE WON BY RONA. AUCKLAND, February 1. The third race for the Sanders Cup was started at 11 a.m. in a full sail, fresh nortn, north-east breeze, over a windward and leeward course. The boats sailed into hard driving rain, and though the weather was great for yachting it was most disagreeable for the spectators. Winifred was first across the line, Rona following, and the other competitors close at hand. After the first board, in which Winifred had the decided advantage, Rona. sailing to leeward, assumed the lead, which she held uninterruptedly To the finish. Five minutes after starting the order was: Rona, Winifred, Eynin, Linnet, and Murihiku. To those who had only' seen Rona in placid waters her sailing qualities were a revelation. With a buoyancy which can only be described as remarkable in a 14footer, she was quite at home in the chop, the long rolling, or the cross seas. Winifred sailed very well at times, but Rona sailed well all the time. After a series cf short boards Rona turned the Sandspit Beacon 29min 30sec after the start, and W inifred followed 50sec later. The order of the other boats was: Eynin, Linnet, and Murihiku. After leaving the Sandspit for the very Ipug run before the wind, Rona gave a fine display of speed, and the leading boats travelled at a speed of over eight knots. Linnet overtook Eynin and Winifred, but when .. inifred hoisted her spinnaker she left Linnet for a short time. Winifred relied on her leading jib used as a balloon, but later hoisted her spinnaker. At Stanley Bay, a point opposite the mark boat, the timings were: Rona, 36min. Winifred. 38min 30sec. Linnet, 38min 30sec. Murihiku, 39min 57sea Eynin, 40min 30sec. On the long run to the Watchman Buoy, Rona, Winifred, and Eynin sailed a course to leeward of several steamers anchored in the harbour, while Murihiku and Linnet kept to windward. Eynin showed to worst advantage in this run, being at times quite stagnant, despite the strong wind. Rona gave a magnificent exhibition of planing in the heavy sea, preserving an almost even keel. Winifred hud more than one close call in the squall when approaching the Watchman, but her helmsman (L*. Kellett) and his crew gave a good exhibition of seamanship. At this point the boats were almost lost in the flying scud, and as they passed the turning buoy the timings were : Rona, 57min 4sec. Winifred, 59min 15sec. Linnet, 59min 46ssc. Murihiku, lhr 25seo. Eynin, lhr 3min 38sec. Rona set out on the first board on the long beat to windward. Winifred followed Rona, but Linnet and Murihiku took a slightly different course. At this stage of the race the competing boats passed the launches and yachts, of which there was a large number out in spite of the heavy rain. They made an impressive sight, the respective crews managing their craft with skill and daring. At times the men were more out than in their boats in the effort to keep them upright. At every point in the race Rona was the best boat, and easily held her advantage. Her helmsman (A. Matthews) certainly had the advantage of local knowledge, but he had the best boat for the day. A few minutes before the final gun, when the race was Rona’s beyond all reasonable doubt, Linnet outsailed Winifred and assumed second position. Murihiku was obviously not at home in the heavy stuff, and Eynin was in even

worse straits. In full view of the crowded wharves Rona sailed in a winner to the wild plaudits of an obviously elated crowd. The order of finishing and the official times were:

When examining Winifred after the race her skipper discovered that the spider band at lhe top of the mast had slipped down over two inches. This seriously interfered with the general set of the gear, and handicapped her in the beating to windward. To-day’s race eliminates Winifred and Eyrun, and the Sanders Cup must go to either Canterbury or Southland or remain *ti Auckland. The official programme provided for another race this afternoon, but though the sea had moderated and the wind was no stronger than in the morning the • ailing Committee, much to popular disappointment, ordered a postponement. The next race will be sailed to-morrow morning over a triangular course, starting at 10.30. AUCKLAND RETAINS THE CUP. AUCKLAND, Februurv 2. j ? i ’ r ’ ra sense of the word the fourth and fifth contests -for the Sanders Gup were not ruces—they were processions, in which the defender so quickly and decisively took the lead as to make the issue quite beyond doubt. On to-day’s sailing, Rona was in a class by herself, neither Murihiku nor Linnet extending her at any point, or exceiling her in any single sailing quality. The superiority of the Auckland boat robbed the contests of .interest as races, but the breeze was heavy and the sea big enough to provide an ever-present element of danger to the crews. The morning race was over a triangular course, and after the first half-hour Rona hail a substantial lead and a p-ood position. Linnet, as a gamble, tried an original tactic, sailing short boards on the windy side of the harbour, though the mark-boat was far to leeward. It was all to no purpose, however, and she retired before completing half the course. Murihiku sailed a plucky race, but at each corner of the triangle was farther behind the Auckland flier, and Rona eientually sailed in with Bmin ssec to the good. The afternoon race was over a windward and leeward course, in the Rangitoto Channel outside the harbour The strong breeze had continued, and the sea was high. Rona was first away, and made an exciting run with sails and spinnakers full. From the starting line to the first turning-point at the white Light the issue was again beyond doubt. Murihiku and Linnet had one reef in, while Rona carried full sail. The beat to windward in the heavy sea tested the% crews, and the boats. Rona again proved herself a fine heavy-weather boat, and lifer crew- (under A. Matthews) handled her with skill and daring. Murihiku was much more tender, and she carried a new helmsman in G. Honour. Linnet had the veteran S. Sinclair in charge, and at the mark-boat: turn, after a deal of spinnaker trouble, she capsized. Several launches rushed to the assistance of the crew, and the boat was towed into safety. Meantime Rpna flew before the wind, Murihiku not even risking a spinnaker. Rona lowered hers long before she reached the buoy on the second round, and the race was simply a matter of time. Muhihiku sailed for safety, and there was no need for Rona to take risks, and the gun announced the finish 14min 14sec before Murihiku crossed the line. NEW CONDITIONS PROPOSED. PLAN OF NEW BOATS. A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. (From Our Special Representative.) AUCKLAND, January 31. Another meeting of delegates representing the various provinces interested in the Sanders Cup contest was held this afternoon. The meeting was not open to the press, hut I understand some important decisions were arrived at. At a later stage these will be transmitted to the various yacht and motor boat associations. In the first place, it appears clear that the Auckland Yacht and Motor Boat Asso ciation, to which the cup was originally donated, will not under any circumstances agree to it being handed over to a Dominion Council, though if allowed to exercise a controlling voice in any important decision the association will agree to the contests being managed by such a council. The most important decision of to-day’s meeting concerns the design of future boats for the contests for the cup. All boats at present built, which have competed in test races for the cup. are to be deemed eligible, and will he registered. New boats must, if the recommendations are finally agreed to. be built to the plan and type of Rona, the present defender of the cup. A limited variation of three-eighths of an inch will be allowed in each half-section beam. Special care will be taken to give builders an accurate model from which to build new boats. It is also proposed to institute another race at each cun contest, to be called the New Zealand championship. Only new boats on the Rona plan will be eligible for competition in this event.

H. M. S. Linnet 4 14 25 Winifred 4 14 34 Rona 4 IS 30 Murihiku 4 18 34 Eynin 4 25 20

Cup, the times being: Murihiku lhr 28min 45sec Rona lhr 29min 59sec Linnet ... lhr 31min 28see ftvnin lhr 32min 4sec Winifred lhr 32min 50sec

Kona ... lhr 34min 45seo Linnet ... lhr 33min 15sec ** inifred ... lhr 39min lsec Murihiku ... lhr 45min Msec Kynin ... lhr 52min 16sec