Auckland Yacht Wins Sydney Race

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 247, 9 January 1928, Page 11

Auckland Yacht Wins Sydney Race

BONA BEATS ACROSPIRE SAYONARA CUP CONTEST Built in Auckland 28 years ago and, according to private advice received to-day, still capable of showing a fine turn of speed, the yacht Bona has added further to her long list of successes by winning the race for the Sayonjra Cup at Sydney.

Bona, whiuh represented Sydney, was given ten minutes’ start, and the Acrospire, representing the Royal Yacht Club, was allowed five minutes. An annual event, the race for the Sa.yonara Cup is an inter-State con-

test which arouses great interest in Australian aquatic circles. Saturday’s race, held on Sydney Harbour, was an exciting battle between Bona and Acrospire, and saw the contestants running neck and neck for a long part of the course. With a short distance to go, Bona put on a final spurt and defeated her rival by the narrow margin of five seconds. No advice has yet been received of the names or handicaps of the yachts representing other States. Bona was built by Charles Bailey, junr., in 1899, for’ Mr. J. Chinney, of Sydney, and was known as one of the fastest boats in Australia. Adventure befel Acrospire on her voyage from Melbourne to Sydney to take part in the race. Heavy seas were encountered along most of the south-eastern seaboard and the yacht had to seek shelter for some days. Fears were entertained for her safety after she had been five days out from Melbourne. On board were four men: Commodore White, of the Royal Victorian Yacht Club, and three ethers forming the crew. Storm-tossed, the yacht put fn an appearance at Sydney in time to take part in the race, to the relief of relatives of the navigators and officials of the R.V.Y.C.