STEWART ISLAND NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 23674, 24 November 1938, Page 2

STEWART ISLAND NEWS

FIRST SANDERS CUP TRIALS RONA WINS THREE RACES HELD The first three trial races to decide Stewart Island’s representative at the Sanders Cup contest, which is to be held at Bluff next February, were sailed at the island under good conditions. Two races were held in conjunction with the official opening of the Stewart Island Yacht Club and a third was sailed a few days later. All three races were won by the yacht Rona. It is the intention of the club to hold 12 races during the season. The club has three boats in good order and the skipper of each craft will sail four consecutive races in each boat. Points are being awarded as follows:—Four points for a win, two for second place and one for third. After the next (fourth) race, the crews will change over and continue in the new craft for four races. The club is handicapped by a shortage of spinnakers, but hopes to have a new one soon. The first two trials were held in bright sunshine and with a,strong sailing breeze. The following yachts, with their crews given in parentheses, took part:— ' Lavina (W. Bailey, jun., skipper, G. Young, f.h., W! Dawson and O. Wiig). Murihiku II (G. Bragg, skipper, C. Topi, f.h., K. Bradshaw and J. Hunter). ' Rona (L. Bragg, skipper, R. Bragg, f.h., L. Dawson and G. Barton). The first race, which was sailed over a windward and leeward course—a distance of nine miles—was won by Rona, which finished 35 seconds ahead of Murihiku 11. An accident occurred when the Lavina split her spinnaker and main-, sail and- had to be towed back to the wharf. There was a hard four-man breeze blowing. THE SECOND RACE Rona won the second event, sailed in a fresh, three-man breeze over a triangular course, by Imin 15sec from Murihiku 11, with Lavina Imin 25sec behind the second boat. The three yachts competed in the third trial, which was sailed over a windward and leeward course. A moderate three-man breeze Was blowing. Murihiku n got away to -a good start and was 20 seconds ahead at the first buoy, At the end of the first round she was 10 seconds ahead of Lavina, and Rona was two seconds behind. All three yachts were running practically level to the leeward buoy on the second round, but nearing the buoy Murihiku II drew away and rounded five seconds before Rona, with Lavina'two seconds behind the second craft. A hard beat to the windward followed. Murihiku II led to within 100 yards of the weather mark, when Rona, overtaking her steadily, crossed her to windward and won by five seconds. Lavina was Imin 24sec behind Murihiku 11. It is intended to hold two more races on Saturday.