THE SANDERS CUP

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 18, 22 January 1924, Page 5

THE SANDERS CUP

CONDUCT OF CONTEST

RULES AND OTHER ARRANGEMENTS.

Matters pertaining to the races for the banders Memorial Challenge Cup, which is to bo competed for on the harbour tomorrow and on subsequent days, were ■discussed at a meeting of the Dominion Yachting Council at the Port Nicholson Motor-boat Club's Rooms last evening There were present Messrs. J. B. Johnston and E. J. Kelly (Auckland) W Duncan and B. Clarke (Wellington) C. D.. Harkess and A. T. Round (Canterbury), H. E. MolleT and J. D. Cameron (Otago), T. Bragg and A. B. Moffitt (Southland), and A. H. M'Carthy and W. Anderson (Hawkes Bay). Mr. J. B. Johnston, who was chairman of last year's conference, was elected to the chair.

_ Mr. Duncan formally welcomed the vusiting delegates, remarking that it was the first occasion on which the council had ever met in Wellington. It would be a history-making event for Wellington, and if the visitors were not entertained properly it would be the fault of the Wellington; Association, which was hard up against' it financially. They would do their"best.' Ho hoped the best boat would, win, and he was sure the contest would, be conducted in the best spirit.'.. ■. ■■'■-■.••■;■ - ' ■ : .

Mr. Moller: remarked, that whoever shouldered; matters of responsibility in connection with the Cup contests would always'be subjected to criticism, but so long as they did. what they knew to be right, they would have nothing to fear. It was resolved that a letter of sympathy be forwarded to Mr. J. A. MacDonald in his' recent illness, expressing the hope that he would soon be fully recovered.

Mr. Johnston said that the rules of the contest adopted at the last conference, also the. plans and specifications of eligible boats,' could only be altered by authority of. the conference.

Officers for.-the/control of the Sanders Cup races were elected as follow: —Sailing Committee, Messrs. Duncan, Kelly, and Smith;- sail measurers, Messrs! Kelly, J. A. Mac Donald, W. Robertson, Lindsay, and Harkess; starters and timekeepers,- Messrs. W. A. Wilkinson and E. Davys. ' Mr. Duncan moved that .there should be three eliminating races in which all boats should compete, and that"the other races should be contested between the three winners until on.c boat had won three.races.

Mr. Round thought the contest should be decided on points. He considered mat a consistent performer might be jnat'-beaten in the eliminating round, and would then be' unfairly debarred from further competition. The chairman raised the objection that ,if points were allotted the case might occur of a .boat winning the Cup when she had not secured a first place. The amendment was defeated and the motion carried.

Mr. Duncan urged that as many races as possible be got off while the weather remained favourable, otherwise the final might be unduly delayed. The Dnradin delegates advocated one race per day, arguing that the event was held only once a year, and that if it came to a question of finance the wealthy Auckland Association should render assistance.

A Napier delegate raised the question of leave, pointing out that some members of the visiting crews could not remain in Wellington longer than a week. Auckland took a similar view. --»>-—• The chairman remarked that the enthusiasm in the races had to be considered, and it would be Jiable to flag if the racing was spread over too long a period. It.was resolved that one race be held on Wednesday, Thursday, and iriday, and that the conduct of the subsequent races be decided at a meeting of , the council next Friday evening The races will commence at 11 a.m. on each day. ; Two of the eliminating ryes will be sailed over a windward and leeward course, and the third over a triangular course. The races are to be started by the five-flag method. A gun will be fired as the flags.go up, and a second shot fired as the last flag drops five minutes later. " I

The council approved of a suggestion that only one spinnaker or leading jib be carried.

After discussion upon an Otago remit bearing upon the disablement of a boat through an error of judgment, it was decided that m the event of any accidental damage occurring to any competing boat in.the course of a race the sailing committee should decide whether or not the next race should be postponed so as to allow .reasonable time for repairs.