YACHT RACING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 16, 19 January 1940, Page 3

YACHT RACING

Cornwell Cup Series At Wellington SIXTH AND SEVENTH CONTESTS ' CHRISTCHURCH AND OTAGO WIN I P«r Press , *.Bsoci»tlon.] WELLING PON, Jan. 18. Crossing the line 10 seconds ahead of Auckland, with whom they nu i -had a hard tussle, the Christchurch crew scored a popular win in the sixth race of the Cornwell Cup series, sailed on Evans Bay to-day. AL the conclusion of the race- Wanganui had two : wms. Auckland two, Wellington one, • and Christchurch one. The first crew to register three wins is declared winner of the cun. Finishing times were as follow, the starting lime being 10.5 a.m.:— Christchurch, llhr. 30min. 45sec. ... 1 Auckland, llhr. 30min. 55sec 2 Lyttelton, llhr. 33min. 23sec 3 Plimmerton, llhr. 33min. 30sec. . 4 Otago, llhr. 35min. 19sec.. 4; Wanganui, llhr. 36min. 24sec., 6; Hamilton, llhr. 37min. 31sec., 7; Wellington, llhr. 38min. 29sec., 8; Manakau. llhr. 38min. 51sec., 9; Timaru, llhr. 39min. 40sec., 10; Paremata, llhr. 41min. 35se<., 11; Tauranga, llhr. 43. min. Ssec., 12. Christchurch took the lead soon after the start, and sailed a groat race throughout. They were challenged by Auckland on several occasions, but, with the exception of a brief spell in the lead when running before the wind, the northern boat had to be content to chase Christchurch. The course was from the line off the clubhouse, up to Jerningham, against a northerly breeze, across to Fraser Rock, and down to the tower buoy, finishing at the clubhouse, once round. Christchurch shook off several Auckland bids on the beat up to Jerningham, but coming down from Fraser Rock Auckland struck a good spell, and drew slightly ahead in the middle of the bay, Plimmerton and Otago showing up a considerable distance behind the leaders. Christchurch gradually lessened the gap, and neck and neck the boats sped towards the tower buoy with all sail set. Christchurch was round first, but Auckland picked up a bit of the leeway, and had a last chance as they turned for the line. Skilfully blanketing the northern boat, the Christchurch boys mode no mistakes, and gradually increased their lead as they neared the line. Plimmerton sailed their best race so far, finishing a creditable fourth. A change in the wind from northerly to southerly gave Otago a win in ihe seventh race for the Cornwell Cup, sailed this afternoon over a windward and leeward course. Auckland established a handy lead from Wanp-anni Hnrino

trom Wanganui during the first round, with Lyttelton third. Beating up to the windward mark for the second time, Lyttelton went into the lead, with Wanganui second and Auckland third, but nearing the mark the tail-end of the fleet picked up a southerly wind which carried them right up to the leaders. Lyttelton rounded the mark first, but most ot the other competitors were close. Beating back to the finishing line, Otago went into the lead, followed by Auckland, Wanganui and Lyttelton. The finishing places for the first ’ seven boats were:- Otago 1, Auckland 2. Wanganui and Lyttelton (dead-heat) 3. Hamilton 5, Wellington 6, Christchurch 7. FINAL IDLE ALONG RACES CANTERBURY THE WINNERS WELLINGTON DISQUALIFIED i I Per Press Association ] ’ WELLINGTON, Jan. 18. The morning race in the Idle Along contest to-day was won by Canterbury, but Wellington was still one point ahead under the system used to decide the contest, and Canterbury had the right to challenge. The afternoon race was between the two boats. At 3.45 p.m., when the race started, Wellington was away to a perfect start, with Canterbury close behind. ! On the lead across 1o Fraser R.ock. Canterbury made up the little ground she lost, at the start, and the I\vo i boats were together when they rounded the mark. According to the rules the outside boat had to give . room at the mark. Canterbury was } inside and did not call for room. As r she gybed her mainsail struck Wel--1 lington’s mainsail but the Canterbury crew carried on without flying the - protest flag. On the run down to the - mid-harbour mark. Canterbury went - into the lead, with Wellington close - behind. At the mid-harbour mark 1 Canterbury was first round, with Wel- - lington five seconds later. Beating f back to the end of the first lap, Can- ? terbury and Wellington both put ’ about after a short board and Canter- - bury was still ahead when the two ? yacht split tacks. When about two--1 thirds of the leg had been completed. , Canterbury put about, apparently ’ having difficulty in picking up the r mark. Wellington carried on and the 1 southern boat overlaid the mark badly. Wellington went into the lead, ‘ laid the mark nicely and rounded Imin. 15sec. ahead of Canterbury. \ From then on the Wellington boat maintained her lead and was never , headed. The finishing times were: Wellingi ton, 4hr. 59.10 min., 1; Canterbury, 5.1.30, 2. After the race was finished the Cani terbury crew congratulated Welling- > ton on the win and the spectators on > the shore cheered the Wellington r crew for winning the contest. It was 5 not till the Sailing Committee met ; after the contest that those on shore ; realised that the result of the race - was still in doubt. After a meeting 1 lasting about an hour the committee 1 adjourned till after dinner, when it met again, heard the evidence of the ? two skippers and decided to disqualify the Wellington boat.