First Race Decided for Cornwell Cup

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 253, 16 January 1928, Page 10

First Race Decided for Cornwell Cup

WHANGAREI BOYS WIN CARNIVAL AT BAYSWATER Under good sailing conditions, Whangarti won the first race ot the Cornwell Cup Contest on Saturday afternoon by defeating Auckland by 33 seconds after «* keenly-contested race between crews representng eight ports of the Dominion. Canterbury secured third place by finishing 11 seconds later than Auckland. The Whangarei boys, M. Robinson and N. Hallows, sailed a very good race, handling the boat, Delphine, with splendid judgment, especially against the wind. ttHOAL BAY, in which the course was laid, presented a scene of picturesque animation. Doyens of yachts and launches followed the progress of the race, signifying the keen interest taken in the contest by Auckland aquatic men. The Takapuna Boating Chib's boathouse was filled with a throng of visitors, who followed the events of the race with great interest. In addition to the race, aquatic events and a canoe race were held for the entertainment of spectators. Afternoon tea, band music and dancing were among the diversions provided for guests, and the Takapuna Boating Club had spared no effort to make the start of the contest an enjoyable carnival. It is estimated that at least 2.000 people viewed the race from various vantage points at Bayswater. Special credit was due to the Ladies’ Committee for the excellent catering tirrangements. The services of the band were given free of charge. CREWS AND BOATS Hawke’s Bay, T. M. Hutchinson and H. B. Cornford (Comet); Whangarei, M. Robinson and X. Hallows (Delphine) ; Canterbury, R. Forsyth and G. Brasell (Trevic); Otago, H. Riddell and C. Churchill (Arikana); Tauranga, George and Graham Carter fTio); Manufc.au, G. Belcher and L. I? ietcher (Kitty); Auckland. I. Masters and D. Rogers (Lai Lai); .Wellington, X. McKenzie and H. Stutter (Frolic). The-racing officials were:--Starter, Mr. F. Fortzer; judges, Messrs. G. F. Bewley, P. F. Carter and R. Lidgard; timekeeper, Mr. C. Brinsden; recorder, Mr. H. G. Carr. The course was laid in Shoal Bay over a triangle starting from the Takapuna Boating Club’s boat house to a buoy off Northcote, thence to another buoy at the head of the bay, thence back to starting line. Competing boats were required to go twice round the course a distance of seven miles. There was a full mainsail breeze blowing from due north, which came down fitfully until late in the race, when it freshened. The eight competitors got away punctually at 2 p.m. The order of crossing at gunfire was Otago and Auckland, neck and neck, followed immediately by Tauranga, Whangarei, Canterbury, Hawke’s Bay and Wellington. All boats set spinnakers at once for the run to the Northcote buoy. Soon after crossing Manukau fouled a launch which had got too near the starting line. As a result she lost some seconds in clearing. Otago went into the lead soon after the start and Auckland dropped back. Whangarei took that boat’s place, and the others were all close in attendance. The breeze had dropped half-way to the first mark, which was reached at 2.11 p.m. Otago was first to round the buoy with Whangarei close at hand. Auckland came round next with the others in the following order: Canterbury, Manukau, Hawke’s Bay, Tauranga and Wellington. Whangarei and Otago were sailing an even race until they changed to the port tack, when the northern boys went into the lead. The boats had a dead beat all the way from the Northcote mark to the bay head buoy. Soon after entering on the slogging stage Manukau and Hawke’s Bay decided on an immediate port tack. Wellington continued on the starboard wind well to the rear of the fleet. At 2.30 p.m. Whangarei and Otago were working the west shore with the former leading slightly. Tauranga, Auckland, Canterbury, Hawke’s Bay, and Wellington chose the

north shore of the bay and were strung out in that order. The times of making the bay-herd mark were: Whangarei, 2h 42m 275; Tauranga. 2h 44m; Auckland. 2h 45m 255: Canterburv. 2h 45m 525; Otago, 2h 45 m 575; Wellington, 2h 50m 30s; Hawke's Bay, 2h 50m 535; Manukau, 2li 53m Spinnakers were then set for the run back to the club-house. POSITIONS AT FIRST ROUND Following were the ar the end of the first round:

The wind was very fitful, at times blowing strongly and then fading to a light breeze. . On the second round Whangarei led the way round the Northcote buoy at oil 0m 20s. Then came Tauranga at 3h 2m 235, Auckland 3h 3m oOsee, Otago 3h 3m 555. Canterbury 3fc 3m 555, Hawke’s Bay 31r 7m 30s, 55 ellington 3h 7m 31s, and Manukau 3h 3m 50s. an interesting stage At this time Whangarei had a useful lead on the beat across to the bay-head buoy, while Manukau was out of the running. On the beat all crews except Tauranga decided to work the western shore. Whangarei still maintained a comfortable lead from the rest of the flotilla. Tauranga was sailing very well, but the young crew got mixed up in a strong ebb tide and seemed to lose ground owing to their decision to tack out into the bay toward the northern shore. Hugging the western coast Auckland picked up considerably on Whangarei, in the course of which the local bovs displaced Otago. At 3.20 Otago and Canterbury were standing on the port tack well over to the North Shore. Hawke's Bay, 55 eliington and Manukau were also on this course, but a long way to the rear of the leaders. An interesting race developed at this stage in the last tack to the bay-head buoy. As the boats converged it could be seen that Whangarei was leading nicely and looked like winning. Auckland and Canterbury manoeuvred for second place. The positions at rounding the bayhead mark for the run to the finish were:—sVhangarei, 3h 31m 355; Auckland, 3h 33m 20s; Canterbury, 3h 33m 40s; Tauranga, 3h 34m 355; Otago, 31i 3m 10s: Hawke's Bay, 3h 40m 8s; Manukau, 3h 42m ss; Wellington, 3h 42m 40s. The final stretch was a short run to the finishing line, and as each boat rounded the buoy spinnakers were set for a quick run. Whangarei maintained the lead and the race ended with the following placings:

IMPROMPTU RACES Two impromptu races in Cup boats, held yesterday afternoon, resulted;. — First Race. —Auckland 1, Hawke's Bay 2, Otago 3. Second Race.—Hawke's Bay 1, Otago 2, Canterbury 3. DELEGATES’ RACE Skip Carter (Tauranga), T. Dryland, 1. Skip Collins (Canterbury), C. s Hoverd 2. Skip Denham (Auckland), H. Carr, 3. Skip Lidgard and H. Riddell (Dunedin) capsized.

h. m. s. Whangarei . . . . 4S 43 Tauranga . «. — Auckland oL Otago Canterbury . . - • o_ Wellington 5to Hawke’s Bay . . . . . . 2 «Jb 4 3

Whangarei h. . 3 m. 36 32 1 Auckland . 3 37 3 2 Canterbury . . 3 37 16 3 Also finished: — Tauranga 38 22 Otago 39 50 Hawke’s Bay .. . . 3 44 55 Manukau 47 10 Wellington .. 3 47 18