SANDERS CUP

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 124, 23 February 1928, Page 6

SANDERS CUP

BETTY WINS TROPHY FOR THIRD TIME AN EXCITING FINISH AVALON SIXTEEN SECONDS BEHIND Dominion Special Service. Halfmoon Bay, February 22. For the third time in succession Betty, the Canterbury champion, won the Sanders Cup this afternoon after a close and exciting finish with the Auckland boat Avalon. it was a contest lull of interest and thrills, and grimly fought out between the two boats. From the start of the race, which was the fourth of tins contest, it was quickly seen that the issue would be between Betty and Avalon. The Auckland skipper appeared to have the race in Hand on tne last beat to the finishing line when Patrick had the Canterbury boat under his lee, and held a lead of nearly half a minute. Lach skipper broke tack for tack, and Patrick Held his lead until within a mile of the line, when the phenomenal speed of Betty enabled the boat to sail to windward of Avalon.

The last long leg to the line from near the western snore of Ulva Island was grimly contested. Betty had her nose in front, Avalon being just on her quarter. It was only on this final board that the result ol tne race was actually decided. Although the race called for skill and judgment on the part of Andrews dud Patrick, it was speed that told in the finish.

The Otago boat Eileen was prominent over nearly one lap of the course, but alter that she faded away. Murihiku was very capably handled by T. Bragg, but the boat showed that sue lacks speed. The Wellington boat Wellesley II sailed well in the light weather. The race was sailed over a triangular course, and the boats carried a lightweight crew of three. The wind was light from the east when the race was started at 1.35 p.m., but it freshened later, and veered to the south-east. One feature of the race was the frequent change of positions of Eileen, Muribiku, and Wellesley 11. The official sailing times were:—

Betty, 2hr. lOmin. 50scc 1 Avalon, 2hr. llmin. 6sec 2 Eileen, 2hr. 16min. 35sec 3 Wellesley 11, 2hr. 17min. 17sec. .. 4 Murihiku 11, 2hr. 19min. 43sec 5

Council Meeting. A meeting of the Dominion .Yachting Council was held to-night when a suggestion that a fund should be created for the designing and building of six boats by one builder was referred to the various yachting associations for consideration. It was further decided to set up a special committee comprising a delegate or representative of each province to revise the plans and specifications of Rona type boats with a view to uniformity being secured. Subsequently a social gathering was held at which the Sanders Cup was presented to G. Andrews amidst scenes of enthusiasm.