CORNWELL CUP

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 29, 4 February 1932, Page 12

CORNWELL CUP

THE FOURTH RACE

WIN FOR CHRISTCHURCH

POKIRUA CAPSIZE

The fourth Cornwell Cup race, which was sailed in Evans Bay this morning, went to the Christchnrcb crew—B. Beveridge and T. Bassett—after the Porirua boat had capsized when leading in the second round, and after Lyttelton had lost their mast. During the greater part of the race there was a fresh northerly wind and the sea, particularly at the . entrance to the bay, proved very troublesome to the small boats. . The triangular course was from Point Jerningham' to the Fraser Bock Buoy (north, of Shelly Bay), to a buoy off the Patent Slip and back to Jerningham, twice round. The following boats were used: Auckland, Winsome; Manukau, Nukumai; Plimmerton, Wet-TJ; Porirua, Wairoa; "Wellington, Waitui; Christchurch, Shiriey; Lyttelton, Wee May; Otago, Eva. M. Pelham was skipper of the Auckland boat, T. Johnston acting as forward hand. Spinnakers were set on the Lyttelton, Porirua, and Otago boats at'the start of the broad lead to the Fraser Bock Buoy, and the first two drew out from the field, opening up a gap on Otago, who soon took in the extra sail. Lyttelton were first round the mark, the spinnaker work being particularly good, and there was a difference of only 9see between the leaders as they gybed for the run to the Patent Slip Buoy. Otago were third round, and the others followed in a bunch.

Porirua closed slightly on Lyttelton on the run, and only 7sec separated them at the buoy. Otago followed lmin 25sec later, with Christchurch and Auckland together, 37sec further back, and the other three over 2min behind.

LYTTELTON IN THE LEAD.

Over the early part of the beat.back to Jerniugham there was an. interesting tussle between Lyttelton, Auckland, and Porirua, with Christchurch keeping them company and in a handy position. W. Tissman, the Lyttelton skipper, managed to keep the others under his lee, and Auckland worked to windward of Porirua. R. Parkin finally stood out from the western shore, and when the Lyttelton and Porirua boats split tacks well out in the bay. the local crew were in. the weather position. - There was a surprise In store, however, for, when the Plimmerton boat came across on the starboard tack, she was to windward of the other two. This advantage was short-lived as both the Lyttelton and Porirua boats benefited from working up close in towards the western shore, while Plimmerton and Auckland gained nothing by standing out into deeper water. Lyttelton were first round the Jerninghain light only a length ahead of Porirua, but for some reason Parkin, after rounding, put about and sailed some distance before going about again after the Lyttelton boat. This allowed Christchurch\.to slip into second place, but once fairly on the lead Parkin sailed past the Southerners and was first round the Fraser Bock Buoyby a narrow margin from Lyttelton. and Christchurch, Plimmerton and Auckland being close up. next.

TROUBLE ON THE BUN.

■;: In the freshening wind which prevailed for the run! there was bound to be trouble, and it was not- long before the Porirua boat capsized. This left Lyttelton in the lead, but a moment later the. mast broke under the strain of the bellying mainsail and spinnaker, and Christchurch took charge, completing the run successfully with their spinnaker although they nearly came to grief two or threft times.

Christchurch. rounded the Patent Slip Buoy 2min 45sec ahead of Auckland with Plimmerton third 20see later, Otago fourth, and "Wellington fifth. Manukau were well behind last. ■

On the final beat B. Beveridge kept the Christchurck boat comfortably in the lead*, and C. Kedward skipper, weathered the Auckland boat soon after going on the wind. Thereafter it was only a matter of nursing, the boats to the finishing line. •

The official finishing times were as follows:—■:

Chvistehurch ... lhv 44min llsee Plininiei-toii ..; Ihr 52min 39see Auckland ..... Ihr 52min 59sce Otago Ihr 55min 17sec Wellingtotn .... Ihr 59min 30sec

Manukau did not finish the course.

Porirua- has now .won two races, and Lyttelton and Christchurch one each. The fifth race is being held over a windward and leeward course this afternoon, starting off the Evans Bay clubhouse at 3.30 and fiuishing at the same point. :