WHO WILL WIN THIS YEAR'S SANDERS CUP?

NZ Truth, Issue 1211, 14 February 1929, Page 15

WHO WILL WIN THIS YEAR'S SANDERS CUP?

BOATING^ DERBY Will The Double Go To Auckland? HOT OTAGcTcHALLENGE (From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Christchurch Representative). Less than a month ago, the. Aucklanders successfully defended their title as premier Takapuna punt-men of the Dominion, and at Akaroa to-day their Sanders Clip Crew will endeavor to wrest the second leg of the double from Canterbury. .

FOR the past three years, George Andrews with Betty has proved the dominant factor m New Zealand's fourteen-footers; there being nothing to come within a long call of the Betty's prowess. . But George and his craft have gone into voluntary retirement, which leaves the issue so open that any sort of odds could be secured about the chances of practically each one of the five com-, yetitors. ' • '< Though Canterbury boat men are quietly confident of the prospects of Colleen, the new defender, the fact that she has been entrusted to a skipped whose skill lies principally m heavy weather sailing cannot be overlooked. Fred Morrison is one of the most familiar figures m boating circles m Canterbury and has won many successes on the estuary. He sailed Secret m the trials for six years, and has competed twice formerly m Sanders Cup contests, under veteran Sam. Sinclair m Linnet, at Auckland, and under George Andrews when Betty won the trophy for the third consecutive year at Stewart Island m 1928. Colleen is a light craft of the true Rona.type, and was built by her owner, Fred Dobbie, at Lyttelton. In the trials she demonstrated a partiality for light weather, and it is most probable that these conditions will prevail ,on the sheltered waters of Akaroa. For the fourth year m succession, , lan Treleaven will handle the spinnaker for Canterbury. The fact that he can be relied upon to give his opponents seconds start m breaking the sail will be a big consideration m the defender's favor. Boating opinion m Canterbury favors the chances of Avalon, the Auckland challenger, and the remarks of George ! Andrews concerning this craft curry I some" significance. I In 1926 she was runner-up to Betty, and again last year she proved herself the second best boat m the contest.

Commentingr on the prospects of this year's contest, George expressed a strong liking for Avalon, and as. lie has sailed against her m the last three contests his opinion must carry some weight. With R. Willetts at the tiller, Auckland will be well served m their effort to carry off the double for 1929. ' Equal m. order of .favoritism with Colleen is the Otago' challenger, Eileen, one of the' fastest light- weather four-teen-footers built m recent years. She is exceptionally fast on the wind, and will toe well suited by Akaroa conditions. She will have the services of George Kellett, one of the most experienced skippers m the" country, and her chances cannot be too' highly re 7 garded. . Wellington have, plodded along each year without so far registering a success m the contest, and Clyde,. the new challenger, has yet to prove herself m open company. N. Rouritree has had the opportunity of learning her peculiarities, but she has done nothing; on "which to assess her chances m the interprovincial competition. Wherever the contest is held, Southland will always be there, and were they to cany off the trophy this year it would be a just reward for their consistency and enthusiasm. Murihiki 111. is fast jn fair weather, and will have the/services '< of a young, keen crew, whose experience is being broadened each year. With the restricted boats eliminated, and all the competitors true Rona types, and the competition sailed on "neutral" water, the issue presents a very open appearance. As m niiiriy other sports, It is the glorious uncertainty 'of the game that provides the fascination, but on previous .performances, Avalon'.s chances rend best, with Eileen. and Colleen disputing the issue for second honors.