A FREAK BOAT

Evening Star, Issue 19798, 23 February 1928, Page 10

A FREAK BOAT

Betty Retains Sanders Cup Eileen a Poor Third in Last Race [Thom Ovjk Own Kki’Oiitci:.] HALFMOON BAY, February 22. Betty is again the champion fourteen-footer Bona boat of the dominion, Only four races were required this year to ptove her superiority over the select yachts Irom the other piotinees. Die fourth and final race was sailed this alternoon, and Betty s gicat speed secured lor George Andrews the banclcis Cup lot the fluid year in succession—a record pcrlonuancc. Betty s success is not so much due to Andrews’s ability in yacht handling, but to hei compaiativety amazing pace in light and moderate weather. Avalon was beaten by a treak’boat, as there was nothing to choose between the handling of the yachts by Andrews and Patrick.

A moderate easterly was blowing, and it remained steady throughout the race on the first lead, and on the triangular course the iivc contestants were closely bunched, but once sheets were hauled close Avalon and Betty strolled away Irom the other boats, and provided a snrnng race over the nine-mile course. The smallest mistake by either Andrews or Patrick would have been costly. Both sailed with superb judgment, and were very wary. Mile alter mile they battled with clover counter movements, yet Betty finally extricated herself from an awkward leeward position by a sensational burst of speed on a long board across the harbor. Avalon’s skipper again worked Irom under Betty’s iec. lie was far Irom beaten, but Betty bad the greater speed, winning by IGsec, with Eileen, which raced poorly, far off third. Hetty is uncpiestionably a freak model ol the Bona boat. George Andrews lias created a record in winning the enp at three consecutive contests, and it is practically a certainty that Betty will not bo seen at another contest it she is selected as the detender next year. Andrews stated the other day tlmt he would shortly make an announcement as to bis future intentions. and yachtsmen believe that he will then announce his rcliromoiit. For the third year Avalon fought out (be final with Betty. Avalon is a creditable boat, but she will never beat Betty unless the weather is particularly heavy. .1, Patrick tried out every point he knew (o keep Betty under his lee, yet (ho defender's speed beat him every time. Eileen finished a weak I bird. She was defeated on every point of soiling by hotli Betty and Avalon. To-day’s weather should have suited the Otago boat to perfection, but at no time did she look a likely winner. Her mainsail was sotting badly at the peak, and that might have affected the boat's showing. Running before the wind Eileen made the slowest lime of Ibe held, while, on Ibo wind she was not much superior to Wcllcslev. The Wellington boat gave a much improved performance, particularly on windward work. Mnriliiku was well handled, hut the boat is obviously not good enough to win the cup. No win would have been more popular than one to Southland. Muriliikii. however, did not show promise in any race. To-day’s rare was I lie fourth elimination race, but as Betty notched her third win she. retained the cup. The course was an excellent one. Vicing frn’m folia to the buoy to the south of Ulva, then to a mark between Price’s bay and Kaipipi bank lo fho starting line, twice round. George Andrews was presented with the cup to-night at a. social hold at Ha If moon Bay. THE RAGE A prelly start was made at l.dd, Ihe order across the, line being Betty, Eileen, Avalon, Muriliikn, with Wellesley 15soe behind. Wellesley did not set her spinnaker, and Betty was first to break out her big sail, leading across to the Ulva buoy. Avalon worked to the windward of Eileen and Betty, while Miiribiku stood away to starboard. The wind was even lighter under the tec of Ulva, and Belly opened nut a nice lead from Avalon and id iloon. When near the. buoy Ibe leaders ran into a calm, anil Miiribiku, off the wind, caught a good wind up lo them. Hefty was first to move again, and carried her spinnaker round Hie mark .’ilscc ahead of Avalon, with Eileen ILsec behind. Miiribiku was only 12see later, while Wellesley followed JOsee later. Wellesley would have been much closer to Hetty if her spinnaker bad been broken out when she stood well to the weather of the mark. The rounding times were:—• Betty lb 47min oDsce Avalon ... lb 48min 21 see Eileen lb dSmin t!2sec Miiribiku ... lb 48niin 44scc Wcllcslev ... Hi 4Siniu 54scc

made'board into the harbor, the others .sailing down on a starboard leg. Avalon pointed higher than Betty, but the cup defender slowly worked up into the wind. Heading jibs were carried. Eileen’s skipper decided to work oil tho shore, while the other boats held on to starboard to Cow and Call Point. Before heading out into the inlet Wellesley was to weather of Murihiku when they spjit tacks off the point, the Southland boat having fallen off tho wind badly. Murihiku, however, seemed to be making good work by sailing on and olf the mainland with short legs. Betty was first to change over to port, Avalon and Wellesley going further over, working down on to starboard. Eileen passed well to weather of Wellesley in a freshening breeze, which veered more to tho southward. Avalon threshed her way across harbor on a converging course with Betty, and just weathered the Canterbury boat at 2.31. Animate later Murihiku, on a port tack, weathered Eileen. Working over to Ulva, Avalon made excellent windward work. Murihiku and Eileen stood close inshore, while Wellesley got a splendid lift down. Nearing Thule, Wellesley sailed past Eileen, and then forced Murihiku to go about. After three short hoards Eileen headed Wellesley, thus running into third position. Avalon spun round lona buoy ]min 3sce ahead of Betty, Eileen being next round 2min Msec later, 26sec ahead of Wellesley and -IDsec ahead of Murihiku. The times of turning were;— Avalon. 2h 3f)min 33sco. Betty, 2h ■JOmin 3(iscc. Eileen, 2h 42min 57sec. Wellesley, 2h Thnin 23sec. Murihiku. 2h 43min 46sec. On the load Avalon had her spinnaker ready, but did not break it out, Patrick holding up to Ulva before sotting the big sail to bring the southern buoy. Betty broke out her spinnaker about a minute alter rounding, but the First puff compelled her to case away. Eileen followed Avalon’s tactics. Betty, however, canned her spinnaker easily, leading across the lee of Ulva, and gaining 12scc on Avalon. The others wore outpaced. On tho load Eileen draw away from Wellesley and Murihiku, although she took over a minute longer than Betty. The times at this mark wore: — Avalon, 2h 52miii 9scc. Betty, 2h 54min. Eileen. 2h 56min 35scc. Wellesley, 2h 57min Bsec. Murihiku, 2b 58min 13scc. Save for Avalon and Betty the interest was lost in tho race, which had degenerated info a procession. Ik tty was going excellently off the wind, and ran up to within 31 sec of Avalon at Price’s Bay mark. Wellesley again reduced Eileen’s advantage on the run, which was completed at the following times:— Avalon, 3h Shin 4 I sec. Betty, 3h Sniin 52scc. Eileen. 3h 12min 58sec. Wellesley, 3h Kim in Bsec. Murihiku, 3h 4min 7sec. From this mark it was a battle royal to windward. Avalon and Betty stood in to Byan’s Creek, and then headed for the njicn water. There was clover jockeying for position, but Patrick was watching Betty and keeping the defender under bis lee. When Avalon stood away on tho port log Betty worked inshore, but. Avalon did not allow too wide a stretch of water In separate them. AVhen the leading boats split tacks close inshore Avalon still held the leading position, and immediately swung about on to port, with Betty under her lee. Threshing out to midharbor, Betty sneaked from under Avalon's Ice, and with amazing pace drew ahead. Meanwhile Eileen and Murihiku stood from Ryan’s Creek right over to Abraham’s Bay on the southern shore, Wellesley holding tho northern shore course. Avalon was first to come about, and when Betty also broke tacks the Canterbury boat was well to weather, she having outpaced and outpointed Avalon on the long beat to port. Patrick was far from beaten, though. He tried to weather Betty by sharply turning to port again. Yet Betty’s skipper was equally ns smart. Several short boards were made, and then they stood on the starboard for a long leg to the finishing line. Avalon held the best wind, and worked to weather again. For the last half-mile it was cither’s race, but Betty was travelling slightly faster than Avalon.. With 200yds to' the lino Avalon’s skipper eased off his sheet. However, Betty had too much pace, and in a thrilling finish beat Avalon by IGseo. Tho next boat to finish was Eileen, smin 4osec after Betty, Wellesley another 42sec away, with Murihiku a poor last. 2jmin later. The finishing times were:— Betty, 31t 45min 50scc. Avalon, 3h 46min 6soc. Eileen, 3h 51min 35soc. Wellesley, 3h 52min 17see. Murihiku. 3h 54min 43scc.

All carried spinnakers for the run down to Price's Bay, and F.ilecu and Avalon quickly worked to weather of Betty, and also reduced her lead. Muriliikn and Wellesley also showed speed, all drawing nearer to Betty, while the Otago boat held the best windward position. So they raced in a close bunch till over half the run had been covered, when Betty drew away again from the held. Nearing the buoy both Muriliikn and Wellesley passed Eileen. Betty gained 2scc from Avalon on the rim, while Wellesley made the fastest run, gaining 17sce on Betty. The times of rounding were:Betty, 21i dinin udsec. Avalon, 2h 4min 26soc. Miiribiku, 2b 4inin disec. Wcllcslev, 2b 4niin 40soc. Eileen, 2b 4min 46scc. Immediately on rounding Eileen alone