CANTERBURY WINS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 103, 25 January 1935, Page 13

CANTERBURY WINS

First Race For Sanders Cup CAPSIZE OF MONICA By Telegraph.—Press Association. Halfmoon Bay, January 24. The first race iu the 1935 Sanders Cup contest was held this afternoon in Paterson’s Inlet under conditions which demanded expert seamanship from the competing crews. A windward to leeward course of six miles was sailed twice in a heavy south-west wind, and for over two hours the spectators in the following launches were i treated to many a thrill as the little craft breasted the heavy seas. Irene, the Canterbury boat, was first past the judge, and right throughout the race she was handled in a capable and competent manner. In the morning, although the sun shone fitfully and there, was promise of rain in the sky, it was hoped that the weather would improve. During the race, however, rain squalls and driving wind made matters very uncomfortable nt times for both crews and spectators. 11l fortune followed in the wake of the Wellington and Otago boats, and both capsized when running before the wind from Price’s Point to Thule. Betty broke her tiller, and instantly went out of control in the heavy seas, while Monica’s spinnaker became unruly and was the cause of precipitating her crew into the water. Evelyn Finishes Second. Evelyn, Southland’s boat, finished second, well behind Irene. The times were as follow:—lrene: 2hrs. 30tnin.; 4hrs. 40min. 51sec. Evelyn: 2hrs. 30niin.; 4hrs, 47niin. 35sec. Boats and crews were as follow: — Irene (Canterbury) : E. O. Sinclair (skipper), 11. May, F. Forman, R. Hendry, Evelyn (Southland) : I. Gough (skipper), 11. Gough, G. Gough. R. Ferguson. Betty (Otago): I. McGrath (skipper), J. McLaren, W. Mason, R. Kennedy. Monica (Wellington) : D. McKenzie (skipper), C. Hollis, J. Nolan, J. Elliott. On the beat from Thule to Price’s Bay Monica was early in front, followed by Irene and Evelyn. Betty, standing in toward tjie shore, struck a : bad patch. Soon after Irene weathered Monica and increased her lead gradually to the mark, which she rounded half a minute ahead of Evelyn. Monica, through mistaking the mark, rounded a minute, later. Betty was now well astern on the first* run back to tne finishing line. Betty and Evelyn broke out leading jibs as spinnakers. Monica, in breaking out her spinnaker, forced the Irene and the Evelyn to follow suit, about halfway down the course.

Capsize of Betty. Betty had the misfortune to break her tiller and capsized. Finishing the run the boats presented a very pretty sight. Irene was well iu front, with Evelyn and Monica filling second and third places respectively. The Canterbury boat was giving a great exhibition of planing, but Monica, in third position, was also showing a very good turn of speed. The latter boat lost her spinnaker just as the buoy was reached. Irene, Evelyn and Monica rounded the buoy in close succession, and on the beat to Price’s, 'Wellington’s representative weathered .Southland and took second position. At the Island, Canterbury’s boat made a beautiful board through the channel, which materially increased her lead. The order round the mark was Irene, with Monica a minute and a half later. Evelyn turned four and ahalf minutes after the leading boat. Monica, in pressing hard, skied her spinnaker and capsized. Canterbury’s boat later took in her spinnaker to prevent trouble and was content to pass the finishing line under mainsail and jib. The next race will be sailed to-mor-row afternoon over a triangular course.