Sanders Cup Trial

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 259, 23 January 1928, Page 6

Sanders Cup Trial

AVALON WINS AGAIN • -D' alon defeated Rona on Saturday m the third trial race for the selection of Auckland s challenger for the Sanders Cup, to be contested at Stewart Island next month. Avalon has now been vietoriohs in two out of three races, having won the second and last and Rona the first. A fresh north-easterly breeze prevailed and the two contestants made good time round the harbour. The course was a triangular one starting from King’s Wharf. The boats had a beat to the Bastion mark near Kohimarama, thence a broad lead to the Sandspit Beacon, thence a spinnaker run to the finishing line off King’s Wharf.

Avalon got the better of a close start and J. Patrick, her skipper, sailed with excellent judgment on the beat to the Bastion. Avalon showed her rival the way round the mark, havinc secured a useful lead.

Spinnakers were then set for the leg to the Sandspit and for half the distance Avalon sped along in fine style with Rona nearly 100 yards astern. Then the leader fouled her spinnaker and could not rectify the trouble for some-minutes. Rona, sailing strongly, caught her opponent when not far from the Sandspit and passed Avalon before she could get her spinnaker drawing again. Rona was first round by a few seconds, but Avalon got her spinnaker in order and caught the other off Devonport. From then on the boats clung together as if leashed one to the other. First one then the other would gain a few yards and then they ran neck and neck almost to the finish. Nearing the King’s Wharf Avalon put on a sprint and beat her rival in by about 20 seconds.