SANDERS CUP CONTEST.

Otago Witness, Issue 3755, 2 March 1926, Page 81

SANDERS CUP CONTEST.

AUCKLAND’S SECOND VICTORY. (See Illustrated Papes in this Issue.) Avalon registered her second victory in the 1925 Sanders Cup contest by winning the fourth race after a close and exciting contest with Betty, the Canterbury representative, on the upper harbour on Tuesday afternoon. The spectators who lined the wharves were provided with a spectacle seldom seen on any harbour as regards skill displayed in small boat sailing. The race was thrilling, and claimed the close attention of the spectators from start to finish. It was by far the most beautiful and one of the closest races ever sailed in a Sanders Cup contest. Tho seamanship displayed by botl# skippers was attractive. Some very, smart movements were executed. For instance, when the two boots were closing on the Castle Beacon turning mark in the third round there was very little difference between them. The Auckland boat held on to starboard for about 10 yards before making the mark. Then Andrews made a beautiful turn with Betty, and was to weather of Avalon. The Canterbury boat was only three seconds astern of her northern rival, but Patrick again gave an example of his skill by the advantage ho gain ?d on Andrews in the subsequent beat to windward. Avalon got away badly at gunfire, Patrick miscalculating the distance just before the last flag fell. He was compelled to gybe, and when the last Hag fell Betty was away with a lead of about two boat lengths. That was the only time the Canterbury boat held the lead, as Avalon led her rival on each run, each beat to windward, and each lead. The boats sailed very close at times, and Betty once drew level with her rival when running before the wind. On the thresh to windward in each round of the course the boats sailed board for board Patrick had Betty under his lee each time, and he skilfully kept her there, although Andrews fought hard to come to windward of the Auckland boat. As the boats completed each round with only seconds between them the excitement become intense, and rousing cheers were wafted across the water when each boat sailed round the pile at the starting line. Two champion boats met on even terms under idea l , sailing conditions. Avalon had a lead of 30sec when the boats set-out on the last lead to the finishing line. She increased the lead in the last two or three hundred yards, and sailed over the line a winner by 48soc. The judges met in the morning and decided to postpone the race from 10.50 a.m. until 2 p.m owing to the heavy rain and the absence of wind. It was a wise decision, as the two boats bad an even break in the fresh wind in the afternoon. The wind was fresh and steady from the south-east, and heavy rain fell just before the race started. The wind shifted a point to the west and fell light towards the Each boat carried a heavy-weight crew of four, as follows: Avalon—J. Patrick (skipper), T. Patrick, F. Cloke, 11. Brown. Betty—G. G. Andrews (skipper), A. T. Round, I.- G. Treleaven. G. Douglas. The course gave the boats a lead, a short run. a dead beat to windward, and then a leacl to the starting line, lhe boats sailed over the course four times, and registered fast times. The two boats were sent away at 2.20 p.m. in a steady full-sail breeze. Betty was first away. Avalon was compelled to gybe, and crossed only two boat lengths astern of the Canterbury boat. It was a lead to the Castle Beacon mark, and both boats set leading jibs. Avalon almost blanketed Betty, but the latter caught a good puff and led the Auckland boat when nearing the Peninsula. When closing on the mark Avalon went into the lead, and had a length advantage of Betty. The boats were sailing fast with free sheets. The times rounding the Castle Beacon were: Avalon 2h 31m 42s Betty 2h 31m 47s Avalon did well on the run. Betty was. pointing better when the boats were beating to the mark off Anderson's Bay. When the boats broke tacks and stood to the Peninsula Avalon was pointing better than Betty, but both were sailing close. Avalon was sailing faster than the Canterbury boat, and was pointing well to windward, aiid led Betty by about half a minute. Both boats stood well out in open water on a long leg to port. Avalon was the first to break tacks. Betty immediately following. Avalon was still sailing faster than her rival, and led the Canterbury boat by fully a minute. The boats stood on a long leg to the Anderson’s Bay shore to starboard, Avalon still sailing beautifully. The Auckland boat had to make only one short board to port to fetch the mark. The times of iounding were:— Avalon 2h 48m 17s Betty ’. 2h 49m 16s The Auckland boat now led Betty by 59sec. It was a lead to the starting ine, and both boats sailed at a great pace with free sheets. The boats rounded the pile at the line as follows: Avalon 2h 54m 3s Betty 2h 54m 55s The Canterbury boat thus gained 7sec on Avalon on the lead from the Anderson’s Bay mark to the line. Within a minute of commencing the second round Betty broke out her spinuaker, and Avalon quickly followed suit. Avalcn’s big sail filled to a nicety, n§d she raced for the Castle Beacon at a great .peed. Betty’s spinnaker was not holding the wind as well as Avalon’s. Times rounding the Castle Beacon were:— Avalon 31i 0m 22s Betty 3h lm 27s Avalon gained 13sec on the run before the wind and led Betty by lmin ssec. Betty headed well into the wind w’hen the second beat to windward was commenced. Both boats still carried a good wind. After working the Peninsula shore on short boards, both boats stood out in epen water on a board port. Avalon w r as the first to break tacks, and the boats sailed board for board. Betty was again pointing well into the wind, and she gained a little on the Auckland boat. Nearing the powder hulk on the Anderson’s Bay shore Betty was carrying more wind than Avalon and gaining steadily.

Both boats stood for the Anderson’s Bay mark on the starboard tack, and they rounded as follows: Avalon 31i 18m 45s Betty 3h 18m 55s The Canterbury boat thus gained 53sec on Avalon on the beat from Castle Beacon to the Anderson’s Bay mark. Both skippers sailed for the pile at the line with free sheets. There was little difference between them, as the times of rounding show:— Avalon 3h 24m 22s Betty 3h 24m 31s Betty gained lsec on the lead to the line, and Avalon held a lead of 9see. The Canterbury skipper gybed smartly on rounding and drew almost level with her rival when spinnakers were smartly set. Avalon's spinnaker set better than Betty’s, and the Auckland boat held a slight leal to the Peninsula when Betty drew level with her rival. Both boats squared away for the Castle Beacon mavl:, Avalon having- assumed the lead. The times rounding were:— Avalon 3h 31m 53s Betty 3h 32m Os Betty gained two seconds on Avalon on this run, the Auckland boat having a lead of seven seconds- The boats again stood to the Peninsula on a board to starboard in falling wind. Avalon was the first to break tacks, and Betty quickly followedWhen the boats met again on opposite tacks. Avalon held a lead of fully half a minute. Both skippers .gain worked the Peninsula shore on a long leg to starboard. This particular stretch of water again favoured Betty, as she closed on Avalon, as in the second round. The boats carried a freoh. steady breeze when nearing the Anderson’s Bay mark. 'The times rounding were Avalon 3h 46m 5s Betty 3h 46m 26s The Auckland boat gained 14 seconds on Betty in the beat to windward, and Avalon had a lead of 21 seconds when the boats sailed for the line for the third time. The boats made a quick passage, carrying a steady breeze. They rounded the nilo at the starting line as follows: Avalon 3h 51m 17s Betty 3h 52m 2s Avalon gained 24 seconds on the Canterbury boat on the lead from Anderson’s Bay mark, and Patrick had a lead of 45 seconds. Spinnakers were set smartly for the last run to the Castle Beacon, and both boats raced at a great speed for the mark. The rounding times were:— Avalon 3h 57i 19s Betty 3h 58m 4s Betty squared away from the beacon to house the spinnaker, and made a bad turn, losing several precious seconds in conseqence. On the last beat to windward both boats again stood to the Peninsula before coniine about on the port tack. Avalon niissed stays twice, and -*he lost headway in consequence. On a long board to starboard along the Peninsula shore Betty was sailing faster than Avalon, but the Canterbury boat was well to leeward. When the boats crossed on opposite tacks it wa9 seen that, the Auckland boat had a fair lead. Both skippers were now Gghting hard for supremacy, each following the other board for board. Andrews was searching for a breeze off shore. He appeared to find more wind at times, but Patrick was well to windward, and appeared to have the race in hand. Still the two skippers fought board for board. The two boats now stood for the Anderson Bay mark on a short board, and rounded as follows: Avalon 4h 13rn 52s Betty 4h 14m 27s Avalon led Betty by 30 seconds on the last lead home. The Auckland boat raced for the line with a free sheet, and Patrick registered his second win of the contest. The following are the official sailing times:— Avalon Ih 59m 8s Betty lh 59in 56s BETTY WINS TROPHY. A magnificent race resulted in Canterbury at last winning the coveted Sanders Cup on Otago Harbour on Wednesday afternoon The race will live long in the memory of the thousands who were privileged to witness it. The victory was the most popular since the Sanders’ Cup contest was established. Auckland and Canterbury possess two very fast and pretty boats in Avalon and Betty. The boats can be classed as champions of a very high order. In Tuesday’s race Avalon proved the victor in one of the most exciting, spectacular, and closely-contested events ever sailed in a Sanders Cup contest. Yesterday’s final race was even more thrilling and spectacular Betty’s victory over the Auckland/boat stamps the Canterbury boat as the champion 14-footer of the Dominion. Groat credit is due to her builder, owner, and skipper, Mr G G. Andrews, for the skill displayed in producing such a wonderful boat, and for his skilful handling of his charge in the five races. Betty Was under a cloud before she was brought to Dunedin, as there was considerable controversy whether she complied with the conditions governing the construction of Rona type boats. However, a certificate was given stating that she complied with all the conditions. and the yachting section of Lyttelton and Christchurch which opposed her selection must now realise the worth of the boat. Wednsday’s race was closely contested from start to finish, and the two skippers were called upon to display their highest skill. It was again a case of brains being pitted against brains, and this time Andrews came out on top. Patrick and Andrews each made a serious mistake during the race, but the Canterbury skipper retrieved himself later. This is the first Sanders Cup contest Andrews has sailed in. His performances in the five races put him amongst the foremost yachtsmen of tlfe Dominion, placing him on a plane equally as high ns men like Joe Patrick ami other Auckland skippers as regards small boat, sailing. Betty led her rival throughout the first throe rounds of the course, when Andrews blundered and Patrick sailed into first position. The Auckland hoat, led Betty throughout the fourth and fifth rounds, and only seconds separated them when making the turn at the starting line. Betty, however, proved the faster on the run, anil only a boat’s length separated them when running for the Castle Beacon for the last time. The Canterbury boat overhauled Avalon in the beat to windward in the fifth round. Andrews kept his

Both boats went on a board to port, standing for the Kitchener street wharf. Avalou was pointing beautifully, while Betty fell to leeward. When the boats reached open water they carried a fresh breeze. Avalon was the first to break tacks. The Canterbury skippei overstay l his mark, and Avalon held a good lead. The rounding times at the line were:— Avalon 3h 19m 53s Betty 3h 20m 29s Avalon gained 44 seconds on the beat from the Castle Beacon, and the Auckland boat held a lead of 36 seconds. Andrews made a serious mistake through standing on too far on the port tack before roundThe for’ard hands of both boats were again smart in setting spinnakers for the fourth run to the Castle Beacon. Spin nakers were carried almost to !!.. mark, the rounding times being as follows: Avalon 3h 28m 28s Betty 3h 28m 49s Betty gained 15 seconds on this run, and Avalon led the Canterbury boat by 21 seconds. Betty carried her spinnaker longer than Avalon, and thus gained an advantage. The boats heeled to the breeze on the first board to the Peninsula in the fourth beat to windward. Avalon still carried her leader, but Betty’s was dispensed with on the run to the beacon. At 3.35 p.m. Avalon showed her centre plate, being struck by hard puff. Betty did not improve her osition on the next 4 boards. The boats were now sailing on opposite tacks, and Betty did much better on her last boards. Patrick sailed on a long board to port before standing for i..e mark, while Andrews stood well into Anderson’s Bay before coming about.. When the boats cfossed on opposite tacks Avalon just weathered her rival. The rounding times a 4 the !e were:— Avalon 3h 43m 46s Betty 3h 44m 5s

Andrews made a wonderful recovery in this beat to windward, as the Canterbury boat gained two seconds from the Castle Beacon. Avalon commenced the fifth round with a lead of 19 seconds. The wind freshened when spinnakers were set for the run to the Castle Beacon. The extra canvas, which filled nicely to the breeze, was carried to port, as in the fourth round. Avalon was the first to house her spinnaker, but Betty carried hers for a minute longer. The times rounding the beacon were:—

Avalon 3h 51m 5s Betty 3h 51m 8s Betty gained 16 seconds on the run, and tho Auckland boat’s lead was now rereduced to 16 seconds. The two skippers eailed a different course on the beat to windward, both boats pointing towards the western shore before coming about on the port tack. Avalon’s leader was replaced with a working jib when on the run. Both skippers were fighting every inch of water board for board. Betty was sailing beautifully here, and when the boats broke tacks the Canterbury boat held the weather and leading position. Both skippers again fought every inch of water on a long leg towards the wharves. The two broke tacks together when they came round on starboard. It was now a true wind and fresh. Avalon was sailing well and there was little between the two as they stood on a tack to starboard for the pile at the starting line. Both boats made the mark on this board, and rounded as follows: Berty w. ... 4h 5m 8s Ava] °n 4h 5m 30s RfX e l ty ef inec ? 25sec on her rival on ihe htth beat to windward, and the Canterburv boat commenced the last round of the course with a lead of 22sec. Both boats had to square off to carry their spinnakers and Betty planed at a great pace, drawing further away from the Auckland boat. Andrews then squared away to the lee of the Castle Beacon, and housed his spinnaker at 4.12 p.m. Avalon sailed a direct line for the mark. The times rounding were: Betty ... ... 4h 12m 41s Avalon 4h 13m 17s Betty gained 14sec on Avalon on tho run. and the Canterbury boat held a lead of 36sec on commencing the last beat to windward. The boats worked the Peninsula shore on a long leg to starboard. Both skippers were fighting hard for supremacy, and neither was giving anything away. On the next board to port Avalon pointed into the wind better than Betty, but th e Auckland boat was still well to leeward of her aval. There was practically no change in the positions on the next ieg on the starboard tack. Avalon was the first to break tacks, but Andrews came about a second later. Patrick was fast closing the gap, and the boats stood for the line on the starboard tack Andrews finished in one more leg, and when the gun fired deafening cheering broke out from the thousands of spectators watching from the Victoria and Kitchener street wharves and tho additional crowds lining the decks of the oversea steamers Tainui and Canadian Spinner. Patrick was only a few seconds astern of his rival, but he was unable to make the lino on one tack, and was compelled to make one short board to sail his boat over the- line. But for this the finish would have been much closer. When the victor and vanquished sailed alongside the judges’ boat for inspection Andrews and Patrick and their crews were again greeted with* deafening cheering, inttrmingled with loud blasts from the whistle of the Canterbury Company’s steamer Storm. Betty crosssd the finishing line 41 seccvds in the lend of Avalon. Tne following i*:o the official sailing times:— Betty ... ... 2h 27m 24s Avalon ... 2h 28m 5a RECORD OF CONTESTS. The record of tho six contests is as follows: Where soiled. Won by Auckland, 1521 Heather (Otago) Dunedin, 1922 Desert Gold (Auckland) Auckland, 1923 Rona (Auckland) Wellington. 1924 Rona (Auckland) Auckland. 1925 lona (Otago) Dunedin, 1926 Betty (Canterbury)

HONOURING THE VICTORS. Yachtsmen from all parts of tho Dominion gathered In St. Paul's Schoolroom, Stuart street, on Thursday night, on the occasion of the presentation of the

rival under his lee by changing tack* simultaneously with Patrick. The Auckland skipper was then sailing a losing race, but he made strenuous efforts to grasp a victory in the last few boards to the line. Andrews, however, made no mistakes, and the Canterbury champion now had the race in hand. She sailed over the line a winner by 41se<-, amidst rousing cheers from the crowds on the wharves. It was a great victory in a contest the like of which has never been witnessed on any harbour in the Dominion. With one or two exceptions the spinnakers of both boats were set smartly, and the two contestants made au imposing spectacle as they tore through the water before the wind. There was a mere whisper of a bree/e when the race was timed to start (II n.m.), and in fairness to both competitors the sailing judges decided to postpone the start until 1 p.m. This was again a wise decision. At mid-day heavy rain fell, and continued throughout the afternoon. There was no appearance of the contestants at 1 p.m. The wind was then very light from the south-west. At 1.30 p.m. Avalon and Betty hove in sight, being towed from the boat harbour. The start was further delayed owing to th.s oversea steamer Tainui blocking the entrance to the basin. In the meantime the judges had gone out to lay h different course. They decided to send the boats around the Castle Beacon six times instead of three times around the mark off Ravensbourne. The course, if any thing, was thus lengthened, but it was more suitable for the prevailing wind. The start was between a channel pile and the starter’s launch due east of the Kitchener street wharf, the course being to windward and leeward. The boats carried a light crew of three, as follows: Betty—G. G. Andrews (skipper), I. G. Treleaven, R. G. Hampton. Avalon—J. Patrick (skipper), F. Cloke, H. Brown. The wind was very light from the southeast shortly before the boats were sent away. The breeze freshened during the progress of the race, but was fluky at times. The wind later veered to the west, and then back again to the southeast. The two boats were sent away at 2 p.m. Avalon was first across the line, at gunfire, a length in the lead of Betty. Spinnakers were set smartly for the run to Castle Beacon. Betty drew away from her rival within a minute of the start, and held a slight advantage as Che boats drew lev.! with the Peninsula point. When closing on the beacon Betty led the Auckland boat by about two lengths. The times rounding the Castle Beacon were:— Betty .. 2h 10m 28s Avalon 2h 10m 49s Betty held a lead of 21 sec when the boats commenced the first beat to windward. Both boats stood on a long leg to starboard along the Peninsula shore. The Canterbury boat was sailing faster than Avalon here, but Patrick was pointing his boat better. Avalon broke tacks when off Grant’s Braes, Betty following Patrick’s lead a second or two later, and it was a close haul for the pile at the starting line. Betty had Avalon under her lee, and Andrews held a good lead. The Canterbury boat was carrying more wind than Avalon, and pointing better into the wind. The boats came about on the starboard tack, and Avalon, sailing fast, weathered Betty just on the mark. The boats rounded the pile at the starting point together, times being as follows: Betty 2h 27m 38s Avalon 2h 27m 38s The Auckland boat did splendidly on the last reaches of the first round, Patrick using great judgment. Spinnakers were again set smartly for the second run to the Castle Beacon. Betty again sailed into the lead nearing the Peninsula. The wind fell very light, and the boats sailed a slightly different course than they did in the first round. Avalon gained on Betty after passing the Peninsula, but the latter again drew ahead. Betty was the first to house her spinnaker, Avalon following a second or two later. Rounding the Castle Beacon the times were:— Betty .. w w .. 2h 37ra 30s Avalon ........ 2h 37m 48s Betty gained 18sec on the run from the pile 'at the starting line. The boats carried a light steady wind on the first leg to Grant’s Braes. Betty was the first to break tacks, and Patrick followed suit almost immediately. Close-hauled the boats pointed up harbour. Betty still maintained her lead, but Avalon held the weather position. Both skippers were now following each other in board for board. Betty was being steered well, and she continued to point nicely into the wind. Avalon carried a better wind than Betty, but the Auckland boat was still well astern of her rival. Both skippers came about on the port tack together, Andrew's still holding his own. The boats fetched the mark at the starting line in three more boards, and rounded as fol-. lows: — Betty .. 2h 55m 35s Avalon ........ 2h 55m 44s Avalon gained 9sec on Betty on the second beat from the Castle Beacon mark, the Canterbury boat then holding a lead of 9sec. Spinnakers were set smartly for the third run to Castle Beacon. Betty fell away to leeward, and Avalon came to weather of her rival when abreast of the Peninsula. Patrick compelled Andreevs to fall to leeward to avoid being blanketed. Spinnakers were carried almost to the mark, and the two sails were housed together. The boats rounded the beacon as follow’s: — Betty 3h 4m Cs Avalon 3h 4m 14s Avalon gained lsec on the run, Betty holding a lead of Bsec. The Canterbury boat carried more wind than Avalon on the first leg to the Peninsula, but Avalon soon caught a fresh puff and was sailing very fast. The boats stood on a longer board to starboard along the Peninsula shore in this round. Patrick gained considerably on this tack. Betty was the first to break tasks, and when the boats crossed Avalon held a lend of several lengths.

Banders Momorial CkT and the Cornwell Cup to the Canterbu >v crews. It was a law end representative gathering, and great enthusiasm prevailed. The Chairman (Mr W. S. Waters, said that one more milestone lmd been passe 1 In Sanders Cup contests They would all agree that the cup had been won by a province which richly deserve! it. Canterbury had put up a very fine performance in winning the Sanders amt Cornwell Cups. He thanked Mr O. Moller, of the Takapunn Boating Club, for the loan of three of the club's boats. Both contests had been keen, and were fought out in a most friendly spirit. He thnnkei all those who had assisted in the arrangements for the contests. The Sanders Cup contests had b**cn the moans of making friends among raanj boating men who had never had the opportunity of meeting before, of tlio “Harbour Board,” and Captain Watson responded. Mr F. B. Francis, in proposing the toast of “The Judges,” referred to the excellent services they had rendered during the contest. They had been fair, able, and wise. Mr Kelly, in reply, said that he never wished to be associated with two more fair-minded and unbiassed men than those who controlled the contest. If the same harmony always existed there would never be any arguments at future contests. Mr E. A. Davys also replied. Tlio Mayor, in presenting the Sanders and Cornwell Cups to the winning skippers, said it was a very great privilege to hand the Sanders Cup to Mr A. T. Round, and • miniature to Mr G G. Andrews. He fait sure the other competitors in the contest did not begrudge Betty’s splendid win. While all the ether bo* is fought hard to win, there could only be one winner in the end. Dunedin was sorry to lose the cup. but at the same time everyone was pleased to see Canterbury win. Even Auckland, he felt sure, was pleased. It was to be hoped that some other centre v/ould win the cup next year. If the trophy were won year bv year by one province the content became monotonous, and the interest wane.!. Speaking on behalf of all the people and yachtsmen of she Dominion, he heartily contragulated Canterbury on its very creditable win, Canterbury had also captured the Cornwell Cup, and it was hoped the bands would welcome the crows when they returned to Christchurch. Mr A. T Round, replying on behalf of tile crew of the Betty, thanked the gathering for the heaity manner in which it had honoured the Canterbury boys. Mr Andrews, skipper of Betty, was received with rousing cheers on rising to reply. It was beyond him, lie said, to suitably thank them all for the hospitality shown and the great reception tendered him and li is crew Mr 0. Moller. m presenting the Cornwell Cup to the Canterbury lads, said that he was responsible for the cup coming into being. The Sanders Cup was the premier yachting event of the Dominion, but they had to remember that the Cornwell Cup was a necessary adjunct for thp purpose of training boys to sail small boats. In handing ever the cup to the Canterbury boys, and also the two gold medals and badges whicn go with the cup, Mr Moller heartily congratulated the lads on their victory. Mr A. K. Sindh replied to the toast of the Cornwell Clip winners. Various other toasfiT'were honoured during the evening, and an excellent musical programme added to the enjoyment of those present.