IRENE AGAIN

Southland Times, Issue 22491, 28 January 1935, Page 8

IRENE AGAIN

SANDERS CUP RACES SECOND EVENT DECIDED STORMY CONDITIONS (From Our Correspondent.) Halfmoon Bay, January 2G. Irene, Canterbury’s boat, won the second race in the Sanders Cup contest, held this morning in Paterson Inlet. The boat leapt in front when the starting gun sounded and held a leading position during the whole- of the race. As she also won the race sailed on Thursday, her chances of retaining the cup are very bright. The weather had moderated considerably from yesterday’s stormy conditions, but a strong westerly was still blowing and the seas in the inlet were fairly high. Heavy rain fell at intervals. The course, a triangular one, was three miles in length and was sailed three times. Expert seamanship was again in evidence, the skippers handling their craft in a very workmanlike manner. It was unfortunate for Wellington on the second homeward run that her spinnaker gave trouble. She put up a very creditable performance and the crew got the most out of the boat. Although Evelyn, Southland’s boat, was never in the picture,' her skipper sailed a good course and on a different day, her chances appear to be favourable. Betty, which did not finish owing to a broken sidestay, did not distinguish herself in rough water, but she may do well if light weather is experienced for the next race. The crews of the boats were the same as those for the race on Thursday. The Race. Irene went away first, followed by Monica, Betty and Evelyn. On the lead down to the lee mark, Irene, Monica and Evelyn carried spinnakers and leading jibs. Betty carried her working jib and leader as a spinnaker. The Otago boat passed Monica and the order rounding the buoy was Irene, Betty, Monica and Evelyn. On the beat to windward Monica stood out into the Inlet, but the other boats worked inshore. On breaking tacks Irene still maintained the weather position and was gradually increasing her lead. Irene rounded the mark 2min. 15sec. ahead of Monica, ■while Evelyn followed 4min. 7sec. later. Betty was 18sec. behind Evelyn and got her spinnaker out very smartly. Irene maintained her position on the run down to Thule. Betty blanketed Evelyn and ran through to weather the latter. She set her leader in place of the working jib, but in spite of this, Evelyn later passed her. Irene gained lOsec. on .the run and gave a magnificent exhibition of planing on the lead to the lee mark. The other boats had maintained their positions when the home buoy was rounded. The lead across was without incident. Otago made heavy weather with her leading jib on the way to the weather mark, and worked off shore. Canterbury chose smoother water, followed by Monica and Evelyn. A heavy wind and rain squalls made

matters unpleasant for those on the « Inlet, and the distant hills became obscured for a time. About half-way to the weather mark Betty, still in the rough water, seemed to be persisting on the starboard tack and later retired owing to a broken side-stay. Irene was 3min. ahead of Monica when the flag was turned and with her spinnaker set, fairly raced away. Monica’s spinnaker became twisted and much valuable time was lost in making adjustments. Southland’s boat was coming up far in the rear. Irene commenced the last round with a lead of over 4min. on the Wellington boat. On the lead, however, Monica picked up nearly a minute and was only 2min. 50sec. behind at the weather mark. On the final run home Irene delayed breaking out herspinnaker, but Monica had hers drawing immediately the mark was rounded. She rapidly gained on the Canterbury boat owing to the fact that the Irene struck a lull at Cow and Calf Point. Monica continued to hold the wind, but Irene’s lead was too great and getting a puff not far from the line, she finished smartly. The times were as follows:— Start. Finis!.'. Hrs. Mins. Hrs. Mins. Secs. Irene 10 30 12 21 22 Monica 10 30 12 22 46 Evelyn 10 30 12 32 45 The next race will probably be held on Monday afternoon. Regatta Held.

The annual regatta of the Stewart Island Yacht Club held in the afternoon, was marred by very heavy rain. A number of launch races were held, but the 14-footer championship contest was postponed. The results were as follows:— First class fishing vessel race, six entries:— Lena (H. Pollock), YJmin. 1 Radium (E. Hicks), 7Jmin. 2 Neptime (H. Hansen), 7Jmin., 3 Second Class Fishing Boat Race, 4 entries:— Maori (E. Hamilton), scr. 1 Nancy (G. Bragg), 2Jmin. 2 Angela (J. Carstensen), 6min. 3 Norweigan Launch Race:— Solenig (H. Askerud) 1 Miss Norway (A. Pollock) 2 Winifred (K. Johnson) 3 In spite of the weather conditions, which are described by one resident as the worst for 10 years, the crews, delegates and visitors are enjoying their stay. Everyone appreciates the warm hospitality of the Islanders, who are doing everything possible to make the travellers welcome.