SANDERS CUP CONTEST

Evening Star, Issue 19793, 17 February 1928, Page 2

SANDERS CUP CONTEST

ELIMINATION SYSTEM ADOPTED

RACES TO START 1.30 EACH DAY

FIRST ON WINDWARD-LEEWARD COURSE

[From Ous Own Reporter.]

HALFMOON BAY, February IS. After four races all the boats which have not scored one win will be eliminated from the Sanders t-Qup contest. This decision was made by the conference of delegates from the five competing provinces this afternoon, but Otago’s representatives opposed it,, holding that all boats should be allowed to compete until one boat won three races and the cup. All nominated boats have been accepted for the contest, but probably the future provisions of eligibility will be discussed later.

At the conference Mr John Molfat (Wellington) presided, and the other delegates were Messrs J. T. Paul and H. Camp (Otago), G. G. Andrews and A. T. Round (Canterbury), J. B. L. Jukes (Wellington), J. Hislop and J. Patrick (Auckland), A. B. Moffett and C. Hansen (Southland). Mr Mofftet brought up tha question of the appointment of dominion measures, which had been recommended to the Auckland Yacht and Motor Boat Association.

Mr Paul said that the Auckland Association was following on the Opposition shown by Otago among the other provinces which had rejected the oocommendation.

Mr Jukes pointed out that there appeared to bo some misapprehension about Auckland’s position. The dominion conference was the governing body. Mr Paul replied that the Auckland Association was supreme in its regulations for governing the contest, but the dominion conference was responsible for the conduct of contests. Auckland had wisely rejected the recommendation.

The conference decided nob to open the question, which was one of rules, and therefore came under the jurisdiction of the Auckland Association, which was the owner of the cup. > . At the last conference a resolution was carried urging the Government to provide free traveling to tho contests of boats and crews No action had been taken in the meantime; Mr Paul said the Otago Association had written to tho Auckland Association urging the governing body to seek relief from the Government. The proposition was perfectly clear. The Sanders Cup contest was doing more than anything else to engender a love of the sea in the hearts of young men, and to him it vould be a splendid national investment ior the Government to agree to provide free travelling and freight wherever the contests were held. These contest excited a most lively interest, and were carrying out a national work in helping to direct the attention of the people to sea, to which the dominion must look largely for its future. He moved —“That the conference reaffirms the previous resolution.” Mr Hislop stated that when the first contest was held between Otago and Auckland Mr A. C. Hanlon, commodore of the Otago Club, had asked Sir Chas. Holdsworth, general manager of the Union Steam Ship Company, to grant free travelling on its vessels, and this had been agreed to, provided the certificates of the competing boats were presented. The late Mr Massey, then Minister of Railways,- had also promised that the Government would grant free passes at all times. Mr Hislop considered that the reason for no benefit having been gained was due to ignorance by the provincial secretaries of the promises given. Some record of the promises would be held by the Government and the Union Company. Mr A. B. Moffett seconded- the motion. The contest, he said, was a memorial really worth backing up, and the Government would appreciate how yachtsmen had dipped into their own pockets to keep it going. Mr Paul: “The Government should not lose sight of the fact that the contests mean a great benefit to the railways by the long distances travelled by supporters.” The conference ultimately decided to ask the Auckland Association to form a deputation to the Minister of Railways, the local provinces to first write supporting the request for relief. Mr A. B. Moffett moved that all boats at the contest be accepted. Mr Camp seconded the motion. Mr Jukes: “Should not the original certificate be put in?” Mr Moffett: “All tie boats should be accepted now and the certificates produced later.” Mr Jukes: “The certificates should be produced now, so as to be in order. I intend to bring up the question of the boats at a later conference.” Mr Paul said there was only one boat in question. Mr Moffett: “Yes, Otago.” 1 You have my assurance,” stated Mr P.aul, “ that Eileen is in order. The certificate will be prod need this ©veiling.” In moving that the races be continued until one boat won three races, Mr Paul said there was a feeling that the existing elimination system was unsatisfactory. A points system of deciding the winner had been suggested, but that was a question on which the conference could not hops for an agreement.

Mr Moffett asked if the proposal was a reversion to the old conditions. Mr Paul: “No; the old rule was to hold four races and then eliminate the boats without a win to their credit.” The aim was to finish the contest ns soon as possible. There were fewer competing boats this year, and perhaps the conference could take the risk of giving the proposal a trial. It would create more interest in the contest. Mr Moffett; “Would it tend to extend the contest?”

Mr Paul; “It might.” ■Mr Jukes said that eleven races might have to be sailed. Mr Hislop held that the question came under the jurisdiction only of the Auckland Association, and a risk would be taken by the conference in altering the conditions. He moved as an amendment that four elimination races be held. v Mr Moffett seconded, holding that the extended time would cause a loss of interest and extra expense to the northern provinces. After discussion the amendment was carried, only the Otago delegates voting for Mr Paul’s motion. The conference decided that from the firing of the five-minute gun the boats were under the control or the starter, and that no person be allowed to leave or join a boat during the race. This action was taken following on Rona taking a man aboard at Lyttelton last year. Messrs H. Camp, J. Moffat, and A. B. Moffett were appointed judges, and owing to his experience at Otago regattas Mr 0. W. Martin (Broad Bay) was appointed timekeeper, while Mr J. B. L. Jukes was appointed starter. As the Bluff Harbor Board had supported the Southland Association in every way it was decided to commence the races at 1.30 p.m. each day, so that the tug Southland could reach Paterson’s Inlet from Halfmoon Bayin time to give daily the mainland visitors an opportunity of seeing the starts. , The first race will be over a windward and leeward course of approximately nine miles. The time limit was fixed at three hours, and later the races will bo alternately sailed over triangular and leeward and windward courses.