IRENE WINS

Southland Times, Issue 22492, 29 January 1935, Page 6

IRENE WINS

SANDERS CUP TWO RACES DECIDED YESTERDAY MORNING EVENT TO MONICA (From Our Own Reporter.) Halfmooti Bay, January 28. •By winning the fourth race in the Sanders Cup contest held in Paterson Inlet this afternoon, Irene, the Canterbury boat, retains the trophy. She was expertly handled, her skipper giving a masterly exhibition of yachting tactics. The morning race, won by Monica, was sailed in splendid fashion. Weather conditions had vastly improved and in a light north-easterly the spreading white sails between blue sky and blue sea held the gaze of scores of enthusiasts who watched their progress from the headlands and the following launches. The course in the morning was a windward to leeward one of three miles and sailed three times. A triangular course three times round was decided upon for , r ,what proved to be the final race. Irene, which won on both Thursday and Saturday, had an entirely new set of conditions to contend with, but she proved herself to be equally at home in lighter breezes. A thrilling finish marked the race which gave her the championship, and only the expert knowledge of her skipper enabled her to reach the finishing line ahead of Monica. Monica was also expertly handled and right throughout was well and capably manned. Betty, skippered by Mason, did not show up prominently, while Evelyn, Southland’s boat, was never in the picture. In both the morning and afternoon races three men made up the crew. Morning Race. The first race was sailed in lighter airs and Monica was always in a leading position, Irene, breaking her peak halliard block, lost much valuable time which she found impossible to make up. The boats and crews were as follows: Monica: McKenzie (skipper), Nolan, Elliott.

Betty: McGrath (skipper), McLaren, Kennedy. Irene: Sinclair (skipper), May, Forman.

Evelyn: I. Gough (skipper), H. Gough, Ferguson.

Soon after the start Monica and Evelyn blanketed each other in turn, but about half-way to the flag the Wellington boat went into the leading position. The order round the mark was Monica, Irene, Bitty, and Evelyn. After

making a series of short boards, Monica was still in front, closely followed by Irene. Evelyn was about 200 yards behind Canterbury’s representative. Betty, which had been following an inshore course was found on breaking tacks to be well ahead of Evelyn. Irene and Monica were still fighting for supremacy, but at length Wellington’s boat forged ahead and got the leading position. Nearing the homeward flag Monica had a substantial lead on Irene and was round 20 seconds ahead of the Canterbury craft. Betty came closely behind, while Evelyn was far in the rear. Good spinnaker work was observed when the boats- rounded the flag on the run to the west end of Ulva. Monica maintained her lead and drew steadily ahead, and nearing the mark was about 120 yards ahead of Irene. The breeze which had been puffy and uncertain, freshened, and Betty was able to creep up a little. Monica was round the mark 40 secs before Irene, while Betty and Evelyn rounded in third and fourth places respectively. On the beat back positions were very much the same until Irene’s peak halliard block broke and it was thought she would have to retire. Repairs were affected in a few minutes, however, and she was able to continue, but much valuable time was lost. Monica continued to round the mark ahead of Betty. Evelyn and Irene followed in close succession. Monica, well ahead, was becalmed and Betty, finding a recovery breeze, was able to creep up a little. The Wellington boat’s lead was too great, however, and she was able 1 to maintain her position to make the turn one and a-half minutes ahead of Betty. Irene followed while Evelyn rounded well behind the Canterbury boat. On the final beat the skippers displayed fine judgment and both Betty and Irene looked as though they might take second position. Monica first home after sailing a splendid race. The finishing times were as follows: Start. Finish. hr min sec hr min sec Monica 10 30 — 11 59 50 Betty 10 30 12 1 27 Irene 10 30 12 1 49 Evelyn 10 30 12 2 36 AFTERNOON RACE. The crews and the boats in the afternoon race were as follows: Irene: Sinclair (skipper), May, Forman. Evelyn: I. Gough (skipper), H. Gough, Ferguson. ' . . Betty: Mason (skipper), McLaren, Kennedy. Monica: McKenzie (skipper), Nolan,, Elliott.Alt the boats carried leading jibs and' jpn gunfire Otago had the weather posi-

tion. Betty and Monica quickly set their spinnakers an.d were soon followed by the other two boats. Betty by this time had taken the lead. At the Ulva Island mark Monica was leading, but Betty was the first to gybe, followed by Monica, Irene and Evelyn. Betty took the weather position followed by Monica, Irene and Evelyn. On the run down to the Dirty Island mark, Irene tried to gain the weather position, but although successful in getting to the weather of Monica, she found Betty tod hard a proposition. Mason was watching very carefully and immediately luffed up to ward off the Canterbury boat’s attack. The order round the mark was Betty, Monica, Irene and Evelyn. Ten seconds separated the Otago and Wellington boats while Irene was 2secs behind Monica. Evelyn came 25secs behind the Canterbury craft. All the boats sailed on the starboard tack until well inshore, when Irene and Monica continued with a series of short boards. Betty and Evelyn worked the open water. Irene Leads. A great fight took place between Monica and Irene. It was not long, however, before Irene weathered Monica and both continued to use short boards up the coast. Canterbury’s boat answered every move from Monica. At the commencement of the second round Irene had 31secs on Monica, while Betty was 58secs behind the leader. Evelyn was 2mins 15sec behind Irene. On the lead to Ulva, Irene experienced spinnaker trouble and lost a good deal of ground, but she was able to adjust matters and rounded 21sec ahead of Monica. Betty was Imin 25 secs and Evelyn 3mins lOsec after the leading boat. At the weather mark the order did not change. Betty and Monica worked short boards for a time, then Wellington’s boat stood out into open water nearing the home mark. Betty was first to go about to lay for the buoy, while Monica followed. The commencement of the third round found Monica 44sec behind Irene. Betty followed 2mins later and Southland’s boat was a good way back. The lead to Ulva was without incident, Irene gaining slightly on Monica, while Betty lost some ground. The rounding times were Monica Imin, Betty 3min 50sec behind Irene. The run to the weather flag showed a little difference, Monica picking up 6secs and Betty 40secs on the leader. Axfter rounding the mark on the final beat for home, Irene’s skipper was watching every move made by Monica. McKenzie also employed every kind of device, but without success. Nearing the finishing line in the more sheltered water, Wellington’s skipper was going about in quick succession and forcing Sinclair to do likewise. Eventually Irene went over the line 23sec ahead. The times were as follows:

Start. Finish, hrs. min. hrs. min. secs. Irene 2 30 4 33 27 Monica 2 30 4 33 50 Betty 2 30 4 36 44 Evelyn 2 36 4 40 18 In the evening the commodore of the Stewart Island Yacht Club, Mr T.

Bragg, presented the cup to Sinclair, the skipper of the Canterbury crew. To-morrow afternoon the 14-footer championship race will be held in Halfmoon Bay, the visiting and Island yachts competing. ANNUAL MEETING N.Z. YACHTING COUNCIL. AUCKLAND’S ATTITUDE. (From Our Own Reporter.) Halfmoon Bay, January 28. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Yachting Council was held yesterday when Mr G. R. Curtis, Canterbury, presided over Messrs G. Tanner and F. Harlen, Wellington, W. H. Beanland, Canterbury, W. O. Martin and T. Anderson, Otago, F. J. Biggs and T. Bragg, Southland. The annual report was as follows:— In reviewing the second year of the council’s existence, it is pleasing to report that much useful work has again been carried out, and that the organization of the associations in a corporate body has resulted in close touch being kept, and in valuable exchanges of views on questions of importance. A further year’s experience has shown various ways in which the council’s working can be improved, and these will be referred to later in the report. The New Zealand Z Class Championship was held on Otago Harbour . in January, the ports competing being Otago, Port Chalmers, Invercargill, Lyttelton, Christchurch, Kaiapbi, Wellington, Plimmerton and Paremata. After a series of excellent races the cup was won by the Lyttelton crew, R. Hendry and S. Sillars. At the conference held during the contest an important alteration of the rules, to provide that in future each crew should bring its own boat, was carried, and was subsequently ratified by the associations. The Sanders Cup contest was held at Lyttelton early in February, the competing provinces being Canterbury (Irene, E. O. Sinclair, defender), Wellington (Lavina, N. D. Blair), Otago (Eileen, I. McGrath), and Southland (Vai, H. Hansen). After some of the most exciting races ever seen in the contest, Canterbury was agaih successful in retaining the cup. At the conference a number of improvements were made to the specifications for the class. At the annual meeting of the New Zealand Council, held at Lyttelton during the Sanders Cup contest, several amendments to the constitution were made in the direction of defining more clearly objects and powers, and giving each province the right to be represented at. the annual me.eting byanonyoting delegate in addition to the councillor in order to enable the : fullest exchange of views to be given.

Messrs G. R. Curtis and J., T. Hobbs (Canterbury) were re-elected chairman and secretary respectively. Several matters of importance were dealt with during the year. After a thorough discussion by, all associations it was decided that each should pay to the Auckland Yacht and Motor-boat Association its proportion of the cost of preparing the amended (1932) RonaJellicoe plan and specification, although the plan was not accepted. Hopes that a clearer understanding between Auckland and the council might be brought about were unfortunately not realized. It being recognized that the Auckland Association’s objection to the (theoretically) wide powers which the council enjoyed would be very difficult to overcome, and that the position of stalemate should not be allowed to continue if friendly discussion and willingness to accept reasonable compromises could end it, proposals were made to Auckland in November in which the council offered to modify its powers very considerably, provided that Auckland accepted the principle of Dominion control for the Sanders Cup and any new contests that might be instituted. Auckland replied, however, that it did not consider the existence of a New Zealand Yachting Council either necessary or desirable, and it offered to co-operate in “re-establishing the Sanders Cup on a proper footing,” only provided that its own delegates were satisfied “that the races will be solely tests of the skill and seamanship of the crews.” Accordingly no further action has been taken. Some uncertainty seems to have existed as to the precise powers of contest conferences, and their relation to the Dominion body. In setting up the latter, it was not intended that the old system of conferences at contests, which did much useful work and provided a valuable opportunity for personal discussions, should be abandoned and become mere sailing committees. Under the present rules, conferences are held at which, in the case of the Sanders Cup, each competing province is represented by its councillor and one other delegate, and in the case of the Z Class Cup, each competing port by one delegate. These conferences have power to discuss any matters pertaining to the contest and make recommendations upon them, subject to the provision that if any alteration of rules is contemplated, prior notice must be given in order that delegates may be made conversant with the opinions of the body they represent. It may happen that after hearing the subject fully discussed at the conference, a delegate may believe his association or club to be wrong in its view, and provision is, therefore, made that conference decisions and recommendations must subsequently be voted upon by the provincial bodies comprising the council; this gives an opportunity for revision of opinion. So far as the powers of councillors are concerned, it is definitely the view of the chairman —and he has had occasion to give a ruling to that effect during the year—that their decisions should always be subject to the approval of their associations. The council’s small deficit last year has been converted into a credit balance of £8 9/4.

A remit from the Canterbury Sailing and. Power Boat Association that the title of the council be changed to the New Zealand Sailing and Power Boat Council was lost. A letter received from the Auckland Association indicated that there was little hope of the difference between it and the council being settled immediately. The chairman expressed the hope that before long the Auckland Association would see its way clear to have a representative on the council. The offer of Mr E. T. Moller to donate miniature cups for the members of the winning crew in the Z class contest, was, very much appreciated. Mr Moller is a Dunedin yachting enthusiast. The levy for the next year was fixed at two guineas. Mr Curtis was re-elected president.

CUP CONFERENCE MEASURERS’ REPORT. (From Our Own Reporter.) Halfmoon Bay, January 28. At a meeting of the Sanders Cup Conference yesterday the measurers reported that the steel moulds were placed on all the boats. They recommended that the four boats be passed for the present contest. It is interesting to note that the moulds were also placed over the Stewart Island boat, Rona, from the plans of which they were originally taken, and it was found there was a good deal of discrepancy in the two for’ard stations. ENJOYABLE CRUISE BEAUTIES OF INLET. (From Our Own Reporter.) Halfmoon Bay, January 28. Yesterday afternoon the visitors were taken for , a cruise on Paterson Inlet and were all greatly impressed with the beauties of the harbour. The sun was shining when the boats set out, and for the duration of the trip fairly good weather conditions were experienced. The sea was inclined to be choppy and those on board the Britannia and Rakiura were given a taste of deep sea conditions when the craft lifted and curtsied to the waves. Halfmoon Bay was the starting point and for nearly two hours the crews and delegates enjoyed splendid sailing. The former Government ship, Hinemoa, was inspected from a distance, her rust-streaked sides seeming strangely out of place in such a yacht-like vessel. She lies peacefully in the inlet far removed from the busy world that formerly controlled her destiny. The steep wooded sides of the many charming bays lapped by deep green waters made a lasting impression on the minds of the travellers.

A very enjoyable concert was given in the evening by Mr T. Hunter’s orchestra which has been engaged for the duration of the contest.