BY THE MARK FOY—

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 220, 6 December 1927, Page 16

BY THE MARK FOY—

Starting by the Mark Foy system, on Saturday, took the spectacular flavour out of the start of the Hardie Cup race, but gave it back at the finish. None who saw will forget the lineabreast race between Kotiri, Ariki, and Nga-Toa, with Windward close at hand. Rangi’s runaway may be discounted. She would have been overhandicapped in any weather, and in the prevailing breeze the concession was accentuated, but the other boats came home very close to one another. Rawene had been handled like a winner throughout, and stately Thelma, tramping in, made a picturesque third. With the memorable fight for fourth place, this completed a strong argument for more starting by the Mark Foy method, and discussions since Saturday show clearly that yachtsmen favour an extension of the system. For the Opposition It is clearly recognised that the Mark Foy method has disadvantages, but in many ways they are outweighed by the advantages. Admittedly a pilot who sees that his chance has gone can lag for the benefit of a future handicap, or can drop out and start on his week-end cruise, but these practices are not expected from sportsmen, and would not become prevalent. On the contrary, the Mark Foy system does away with some of the inevitable hardship occurring when the big fields start together. It encourages the large, fast keeler, and does not compel the big ship to show her smaller rivals the mistakes and pitfalls to avoid. Further, and this is important, it promotes keen finishes, and the spice of neck-and-neck racing that appeals to the public. On Saturday the onlookers on King’s Wharf could not forbear to cheer when Ariki, Kotiri, and Nga-Toa sped for the line in their race behind the leaders.