SANDERS CUP TRIALS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 561, 14 January 1929, Page 6

SANDERS CUP TRIALS

VAL WINS FIRST TEST CLOSE RACE WITNESSED In a closely-contested race the new Jeilicoe boat Val won the first trial on Saturday for the. selection of Auckland’s challerfger in the forthcoming Sanders Cup contest to be held at Akaroa next month. Rona was second and Avalon third. Eleven seconds separated first and second, and only three seconds spaced Rona and Avalon. 6 Conditions could not have been better, there beir.g a steady breeze from the west all the afternoon. Val got slightly the better of the start from the King’s Wharf at 3.8. Rona and Avalon were hard at heel. The course was from the wharf to the Pile Beacon off Chelsea and back, a distance of six miles. The boats therefore had a beat up harbour and a flat run back. Off the western tide deflector Val was leading Avalon by 30s, Rona being another 30s astern. Rona was slowly getting in arrears, and her skipper made a wise move in making a long board on port toward the northern shore. This enabled Rona to head the others. Times on rounding the beacon were: Rona, 3.56.25; Val, 3.56.42; Avalon, 3.56.57. Spinnakers were smartly set for the run to the finish. Val was particularly quick in setting the extra. Off the Watchman the new boat passed Rona and was never headed. Avalon and Rona, not far in the rear, were making a great race. At the v/estern end of the boat harbour Avalon ran into second place. bLit Rona hung on and gained the ultimate advantage over her rival. Finishing times were: Val, 4.31.29, 1; Rona, 4.31.40, 2; Avalon, 4.31.43, 3. Val was sailed by Mr. Alex. Matthews, Rona by Mr. V. Lidgard, and Avalon by Mr. A. Willetts, each boat carrying a crew of three. Another trial wil take place to-mor-row evening off the King’s Wharf at 5 p.m.