YACHTING NOTES

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 6, 29 March 1927, Page 7

YACHTING NOTES

By KEELSON. Yachtsmen's Bad Luck The elements have been most unkind to Auckland yachtsmen the last two week-ends. Saturday week was so boisterous and wet as to make sailing almost impossible, while last Saturday there was practically no wind at all, and the boats that took part in the racing simply drifted around the courses taking, in many instances, until well after dark to complete one round. It was unfortunate that the Tamaki Club’s regatta should have fallen on such a day. Devonport and Akarana were likewise unlucky as both clubs had hoped to sail the races postponed from last Saturday week, in St. Heliers Bay in conjunction with Tamaki. Spasmodic puffs from all points of the compass that scarcely rippled the surface of the water did not help the yachtsmen very much. In spite of this, however, the smaller class boats managed to drift one round of the course, the officials very wisely deciding to cut out the second round and halve the handicaps. The Manukau Club was also unfortunate in having such weather conditions, and had to abandon its sailing events. Tiring Race to Omiha The cruising race to Omiha must have been a tiring one. After a series of drifts the first boat eventually finished a little after 9 p.m., and the last about midnight. Next Saturday's Events The Richmond Cruising Club holds its annual regatta on the upper harbour, next Saturday, and races for classes from H downwards will be held, entries for which close to-morrow night. A Much-Discussed Question There seems to be quite a difference of opinion on the question of, “who was the actual runner-up to Betty in this year’s Sanders Cup contest?" There are many good arguments put forward, some of which refer back to previous contests. I will give a brief outline of the contest of 1925 and this year’s event, and leave yachtsmen themselves to decide. I refer to the contest of 1925 because it provides the most outstanding example since the inception of these contests. It is not wise to consider them on a points basis, at any rate so far as the runner-up is concerned. The conference decided, as in the past—excepting in 1921, when only two boats contested the event—to hold three eliminating races, and to delete those that had not had a win. The lona, Queen March and Murihiku being the most prominent performers, need be considered only. The first race resulted, on a 3,2, 1 points system: lona, 3 points; Queen March, 2 points; Murihiku, 0 points. Second race: lona, 3; Queen March, 2; Murihiku, 0. Third race: Murihiku, 3; lona, 2; Queen March, 1. On completion of the eliminating races, the lona had gained 8 points; Queen March, 5 points; and Murihiku, 3. Although the Queen March had gained more points than the Southland boat, she was dropped, along with the other three representatives—which was, of course, all in order. The lona and Murihiku went forward for the final, which was won by lona, the Southland craft gaining a further 2 points for finishing. The point I want yachtsmen to observe is this; In three races, the Queen March gained 5 points, and in four the Murihiku also scored 5 points, and rightly was the official runner-up, because the conference had decided not to take points into consideration. 0 Now take this year’s contest. On this occasion the Dominion Conference decided to hold four eliminating races instead of three as in the past. A strong case was put forward to adopt the points system but it was turned down. At the conclusion of the third race, taking it on a 3,2, 1 basis again, the position would have been, Betty, 8 points; Avalon, 6; Murihiku, 2; Rona, 1; Peggy, 1; Winifred, 0. At this stage Betty had two wins and Avalon one, and it was not impossible for either of the latter four to win three on end. Now working it out on the assumption that such did eventually happen, not forgetting the elimination after the fourth race, it is evident that the Betty, even if she finished last in the final three races—a rather unlikely happening—would have been ahead of either Rona, Peggy or Winifred, and level with Murihiku and yet would not

have won the cup. In these circumstances it would be difficult for anyone applying the points system, to find the runner-up. As stated above, the elimination process of 1925 was applied again this year, with the result that Betty, two wins, and Avalon and Rona one each, contested the final, which resulted: Betty first, Rona second, Avalon third. I hold no brief for either party or boat, nor do I advocate the adoption of any particular system for these contests, but I have been wondering how the powers that be could have declared the winner under one set of conditions, and the runner-up under another. Complaint from Ponsonby The Ponsonby Cruising Club is at present considering a complaint concerning several of the races held at their annual regatta. The trouble appears to have been that quite a number of the competing craft, in order to dodge the strong tide, took advantage of the stone wall, and beat up inside some of the piles on the sandbank. The rule bearing on the position reads: —“Piles off St. Mary’s Bay and Shelly Beach are to be regarded as fairway marks in all races.” The rule is perfectly clear, but it appears that the pile nearest the western wall is- ; the one on which all the trouble hinges. Those who did not regard this as a fairway mark claim that it is not off St. Mary’s Bay. I do not hold with their contention, and I feel sure that the committee responsible for the drawing up of the courses did not irttend to make any exception regarding the piles; otherwise it would have been stated on the official programme. CORRECTED TIME. In the Akarana Club’s race for T, X, and. Y classes at St. Helier’s on Saturday, Jupiter won by ssec. from Cupid (corrected time). Yacht Queenie broke adrift from her moorings off Herne Bay, and collided with the launch Grace Darling. Queenie had two planks damaged, while the launch had to be hauled up for repairs to her top planking, belting, and decking.