YACHTING

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 129, 29 February 1928, Page 8

YACHTING

(By

"Nercus. ’)

For the third time in succession the Christchurch boat Belt/ has carried off the Sanders Cup. The boat, which is declared by hundreds to be a ‘‘freak” which could not be duplicated wou the first two races comfortably. Avalon, the Auckland representative, won the next completed race by 48 seconds, in heavy weather. But the champion Betty was first home again on the next day, thus gaining the cup. It is very apparent that Wellesley II .suffered badly from leaks but it is lamentable to know that the boat left Wellington leaking. She was originally varnished and then painted white. This should have reduced the defect but evidently the boat suffered on the trip down, and “opened up'' somewhat. The First Race. Hie crew was B. White, N. Blair, It. Berg. "The Wellington glow were extremely unionumne in iliat their l.oat was leaking badly, and as they liad no opportunity to bam ner out," slates Ute 'souiuiand Daily 'limes’ “Hie water slio was making made tier heavy ana sluggish. From the outset, However, ncLty always looked a winner, and eu tho day none ol Hie other boats coma Hold a candle to liar, either on Ilie wind, or with spinnakers drawing. Wellesley 11 had several attempts at getting round the turning point on the first round, which cost her all her chances. Belly knows huw to avoid the chop. While the other boats headed on to them she played off more ami .sliced them. Being slightly finer in ine now.; helped her along, too. Second Race. The crew was B. While bkipper, Berg, Parkin. ,v' Btloen," sa 5 s "Southland Daily Times,” "was a surprise packet and gave Betty something to think about. 11 she hud been a little less seen she would have given Canterbury a severe fright. “Il hat is wrong with tho 'Wellesley? She retained her old position at the end of the queuo The boat must be at fault, because her crew seem perfectly competent. She rides very sluggishly, but her crew arc always game io finish the course. "Betty is a .sheer fluke. The things . she can do seem almost Heavy money is offering that the builder cannot build another.” The Windless Day. The Wellington crew was: B. White, F. 11 alien, .R. Berg "Tnu complete calm in the air practically stopped ail the eralt (states a southern exchange), air puffs bringing up those considered to nave poor chances in a steady wind. The laniotis Betty, which had won the two previous races, was well astern of the \\ cllcsiey at one period, and the Murihiku was well in the running. Eileen and Aialou were prime favourites, their antics in the becalmed stretch off Cow and Cad Point, causing the greatest interest ami amusement, the Eileen gaining u few inches, only to lose it to her rival by a vagrant puff of loose air. Tho first rounding was Betty, Eileen, Avalon, Murihiku, Wellesley. The scsond buoy saw:—Avalon. Eileen. Belly, Wellesley, Murihiku. The last buoy saw the boats placed:—Avalon, Eileen, Wellesley, Betty, Jlurihuki.” Comments on the race were:— “Betty prominent at the start, but faded away. "Avalon not favoured with the best of luck. Eileen a credit to Gtago and so were her crew. “Murihiku a poor starter, but a better finisher. "Wellesley showed improvement, but it was needed." The Third Race. The Wellington crew was: —B. White, N. Blair, R. Berg, F. Darien. "Avalon, the Auckland representative, skippered by J. Patrick, sailed a great race (states an exchange), and after the first tew minutes took command and was never headed. Keeping to windward of Andrews on every board. Patrick kept the Christchurch boat in second place and his charge fully lived up to her reputation of being a good heavy weather boat. Betty, however, proved to be a craft that could sail equally well in light or heavy weather, and it would have required only one mistake on Patrick’s part to have allowed Andrews to take up his usual position at the head of the fleet. No mistake was made however. “Wellesley, under the command of B. While, did a lot. of inshore work, and (Rough apparently the idea was to keep out. of the sea running down (he inlet, the possibility’is that she also did not set such a strong breeze as the others further out. Wellesley seems also to be a trifle deficient in the sailing qualities possessed by the Auckland. Christchurch and Otago boats. but nevertheless her skipper and crew stuck it out and sailed her to the finish with commendable gamcness. "Avalon rounded off a fine race by tearing across tho line forty-eight seconds ahead of Bet*v. Eileen was third close behind, and Murihiku fourth thirtyseven seconds away. Wellesley was a had last." The Final Race.

The Wellington crew was:—B. White, N. Blair. R. Berg. According to a southern exchange the wind was fresh from the eastward, and provided a good three-man breeze. After the last buoy: “A long way back Eileen. Wellesley, and Muriniku were having a race by themselves. Eileen and Murihiku keeping well out into tho inlet, whilst Wellesley worked along the shore. 'When' Betty stood away fot the finishing line. Avalon passed under her counter and then came about ami the two boats raced for the finishing litm The remainder of the fleet were well out of the race. The breeze freshened for the last few minutes of the contest, and sailing fast Betty crossed the line about six lengths ahead of the Auckland boat, thus winning the Panders Cup for the third time in succession."