SANDERS CUP CONTEST

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 32, 8 February 1933, Page 9

SANDERS CUP CONTEST

SATISFACTORY RESULT

KEEN PUBLIC INTEREST

In the opinion of"Mr. O. A. Moller, chairman of the Wellington Provincial Yacht and Motor-boat Association, who returned from the South to-day, the success of the Canterbury crew in retaining the Sanders Cup at the recent contest was well deserved. On the-day there could be no question that the best crew won, he remarked to a "Post" reporter concerning the deciding race. The result might hp.ve been different if the weather had been light, but he had no complaint whatever to make, fAs the conditions went I consider that the, best crew won in each case," he said. "There was never any doubt as to the merit of each win." Mr. Moller described the contest as the most harmonious ho had ever attended. There, was up friction of anykind during the: racing; an illustration of the friendly feeling' existing was given by the fact that Wellington's spare jib was lent to the Auckland crew. The atmosphere was very pleasing to note. The Wellington skipper, N. D. Blair, did not make a false move, and in any tight corner he proved himself a splendid tactician.. His crew did good w.ork, but were handicapped by lack of practice together. One or two of the other, crews had been longer together, and had somewhat .of an advantage. This was particularly noticeable.in .the case of the Avenger's crew, whose work,' especially with the spinnaker, was delightful. "It was anybody's cup up to the last race,'' said Mr. Moller. '' We did not expect that we would be in the hunt on the final day, but, of course, we did not give up hope." An outstanding feature, of the contest was the sailing of the Anckland crew in an old boat. In a better boat they might have changed matters considerably. They had the sympathy of the crowd with them, and were given a great reception at the finish" of the contest. The Avalon (Otago) sailed very well at times, and her win was most convincing. Mr.1 Moller emphasised the value of the external moulds, expressing the opinion that they had done all that was expected of. them. At no stage of the racing was there a procession such as was seen during the 1932 contest at Wellington, .ho said, and it was practically impossible) to pick the winner each time until the end of the race. The weather was the main deciding factor As a result of the content the Sanders Cup competition had been, lifted to a much higher .plane. Great public interest was taken in the racing, and thousands watched the final race