CORNWELL CUP CONTEST.

Otago Witness, Issue 3853, 17 January 1928, Page 50

CORNWELL CUP CONTEST.

FIRST RACE TO WHANGEREI.

OTAGO TAKES FIFTH PLACE.

AUCKLAND, January 14. The first race in the annual contest for the Cornwell Cup was sailed this afternoon over a triangular course, via Shoal Bay and Bayswater. The weather was ideal, a light north-easterly breeze prevailing throughout. The ports taking part in the race were Auckland, Manukau, Canterbury, Whangarei, Otago, Tauranga, Wellington, and Hawke's Bay. Great interest was taken in the contest, visitors from all parts of the Dominion being present. The race was very close and most interesting, and was won by the Whangarei crew, which beat Auckland by 33sec. From a good start Otago was first away, closely followed by Auckland, with Canterbury and Tauranga together. Then came Whangarei, Hawke’s Bay, and Manukau with Wellington last. It was a spinnaker run to the first mark, and before reaching it Whangarei passed Auckland, Canterbury, and Tauranga. Otago still held the lead, and together with Whangarei drew away from the others. On the beat to the buoy at the head of the bay, Whangarei was slowly picking up Otago, and was pointing higher than the southern boat. Tauranga was now holding third position. With the exception of Hawke’s Bay and Manukau. all worked the western shore, and did much better than these two boats, which threw round on the port shortly after making the buoy, and got badly left. Of the leaders Otago was first to break tacks at 2.18, and Whangarei crossed the' southern boat and assumed the lead, which she maintained for the remainder of the race. Tauranga was now fighting out for third place, and passed to the windward of Auckland at 2.21. At the head of the bay the order was Whangarei, Otago. Tauranga, Auckland, Canterbury, Hawke s Bay, and Manukau. All failed to fetch the top mark, and several" short boards had to be put in to make it. Whangarei went round at 2hr 42min 27sec ; Tauranga at 2hr 44min; Auckland, 2hr 4omiu 25see ; Canterbury, 2hr 45min 52sec ; Otago, 2hr 45min 57sec; Wellington, 2hr 50min 30sec; Hawke’s Bay, 2hr 50min 33sec; Manukau, 2hr 53min 20sec.

It vas now a run before the wind to the mark off the clubhouse, and Otago passed Canteibury. and picked up on Auckland. Whangarei and Tauranga were still well in the lead of the other’s but there was very little between Auckland, Otago, and Canterbury, ssec separating three boats at the Northcote mark The beat up to the top mark for the second time saw several changes. Auckland went into second place, and Tauranga dropped back into fourth position, having stood too far cut in the tide. Otago got a bad break, and was overhauled bv Canterbury. Wellington and Manukau were now hopelessly out of it, and just before reaching the top mark Manukau passed \\ elhngton. The finishing times were: Whangarei 3hr 36min 32secAuckland, 3hr 37min ssec ; Canterbury. 3hr 37min losec ; Tauranga, 3hr 38min 22sec; Otago, 3hr 39min ssec ; Hawke’s Bay, 3hr 44min 55sec • Manukau, 3hr 4/min lOsec ; Wellinrton’ 3hr 47min 18sec. The result was: — Whangarei j Auckland 2 Canterbury z

THE CUP CONDITIONS

DISCUSSION AT CONFERENCE

AUCKLAND, January 14 At the annual conference of delegates to-day a great deal of discussion Took place on the following remit from the Otago iacht and Motor Boat Association- — that the conditions of the contest be altered to allow each competing province to provide and sail its own boat.” Mr G. F Bewley (Otago) said that, apart from Auckland, it was a very expensive item for the other centres to conduct a contest. Auckland had the boats and the otfieis did not. It meant that whatever port won the cup, except Auckland, the winner would have to import boats, and this meant a great deal of expense. Otago had an experience a year or tw 0 ago. The contest was held there, and not having sufficient boats it had to import three from Auckland at'a cost of £8 each With eight boats taking part in the race now the expense would be still greater. Lt the provinces were allowed to bring their own boats the cost would be very much less. If the remit were carried it would considerably help to foster the class. More boats would be built and trials would be held, and the very best boats would be selected to represent their own particular centre. M r Bewley added that he had heard of complaints in the past about some of the boats not being in the best of condition. If each centre brought its own boat this would not happen He saw n o reason why the crews should not change boats for the different races, even if the provinces were allowed to provide their own craft. Mr Moller, in seconding the motion pro forma, assured Mr Bewley that all the boats for use in the present contest were in first-class order.

Mr W. Duncan (Wellington) said that if the. motion were carried it would take away the interest in the class in each port. It would mean that one boat would be specially built to represent the province. It would result in a builders’ race, and the man with the most money would win. He congratulated the Takapuna club on the manner in which it had encouraged the boys to take up the class, and hoped the rules regarding it would remain as they were. Wellington now

had five boats, and if the port won tho cup this year it would have to build three more boats. The idea of making the winners provide the boats was a good one. Mr Moller said that as one of the founders of the class, he was pleased with the attitude taken up by Mr Duncan, lhe boats were cheap to build, and not one that had been- constructed by an amateur had failed to qualify for the class. If each province were allowed to build its own boat for contest the poor man would soon have to step out and the rich man would take his place. Never in the history of yachting had this sort of thing been done, and under the present rules the Takapuna Club had prevented it from creeping in. However, he could see great possibilities in the remit from Otago, and suggested that if they allowed the provinces to bring their own boats the principle of changing of the boats for each race should be retained. Mr Bewley agreed to this, and the remit was amended accordingly. After further discussion the proposal was defeated, only Air Bewley voting for it. SECOND HEAT TO OTAGO.

The second heat (started at 12.30) was won by Otago, the flushing time being Ihr 41min ssec. Wellington was second. Time, Ihr 41min 22sec.