AVALON WINS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 259, 23 January 1928, Page 14

AVALON WINS

SANDERS CUP TRIAL An exciting race was witnessed on Saturday afternoon, when Avalon won the third race of the Sanders Cup trials by defeating Rona by 23sec. Avalon has won two of the three trials held last week. Rona won the first, and Avalon was victorious in the second and third. In the first two races four boats— Rona. Avalon. Joan, and Queen March —were permitted to take part, but the two latter were eliminated for the third race. The course on Saturday started off King’s Wharf, thence round the Bastion beacon, and the sandspit, i‘nd finishing at the starting line. A fresh easterly breeze was blowing, and the contestants had a long beat to the Bastion, a broad lead to the sandspit, and a run to the finish. On the fall of the last flag at 1.35 p.m. Avalon crossed the line about two lengths ahead of Rona. Roth port-tacked into Mechanics’ Bay, and, making short boards to clear the tide deflector, Rona gained a little on ir r rival. On clearing the breakwater Avalon drew away, but crossing Hobson Bay Rona again picked up, and for some time pointed higher than her opponent. Avalon rounded the Bastion beacon at 2hr 34min 31sec, and Rona at 2hr 35min 22sec. Spinnakers were set for the leg across to the sandspit. and when Avalon had a lead of about a minute her spinnaker went overboard and got under the keel. Before the trouble could be recti-ied Rona caught up and passed the leader, and rounded the sandspit ITsec ahead of Avalon. Soon after rounding, Avalon got her spinnaker drawing again, and caught Rona off the cable depot at Devonport. A luffing match followed, both Loats running far off their course in toward Stanley Bay. Rona was first to gybe, a.nd ran for the line. Avalon’s skipper was watching Rona very closely, and, placing his boat on P.ona’s weather, passed clear, crossing the Jftnishing lline the winner by 23seo. Result: Avalou, 3hr 2min 17sec •• 1 Rona. 3hr 2min 40sec .... 2 rj. Patrick sailed Avalon, and A. E. atthews was at the tiller of Rona. It has not yet been decided whether