Victory By Fifteen Minutes

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 256, 19 January 1928, Page 15

Victory By Fifteen Minutes

’THE re-sailed race between Otago and Auckland, which was » decided on by the Sailing Committee of the Cornwell 1 lip contest, as a result of the collision between Canterbury and Auckland, was contested this afternoon. The course w-as the same as for yesterday’s race and the same eastnor -easterly wind prevailed. 1 he Auckland crew registered its first win of the series, getting the victory by 15 minutes.

in the Comet and Auckland in the Tio, being the same boa.ts used yesterday. To-day’s race started at 1.5 p.m., and both boats crossed the line close together, Auckland being half a length in the lead. Auckland immediately set their spinnaker and forged 50 yards ahead of Otago early in the lead to the Bayswater mark. Otago was taking no risk of a capsize. With the extra sail up Auckland gained a useful lead of about 20 seconds. The Auckland boys safely got their spinnaker down before reaching the stiff breeze in the open harbour. Auckland showed their rivals the way around tho first mark at one hour 10 minutes 22 seconds. Otago followed at one hour 10 minutes 5$ seconds. Auckland set up a long lead on the run to Northcote, in spite of losing control of their spinnaker for half the distance. Otago "got in irons” when rounding the first mark and lost considerable time. By the time Otago got their spinnaker drawing Auckland had established a lead of easily 300 yards. Rounding Northcote mark Auckland's time was one hour 15 minutes 32 seconds, and Otago followed at one hour 19 minutes 28 seconds. Otago’s spinnaker fouled and caused the visiting crew to gybe at the buoy, Gybing back to round the mark the spinnaker fouled. The boat nearly capsized and it was some minutes before the yacht was controlled. Meantime, on tho beat back to the Bayswater mark, Auckland worked closely to the Northcote shore and obviously had a big advantage. At this stage Auckland was over four minutes to windward of her rival and was sailing splendidly. Nearing the Bayswater mark on the beat back Auckland added still further to their long lead from the Southern boat. The visiting boys followed the leader on a different course, and were trying to reduce the deficiency by fluking. Instead they got into a strong tide and rough water, and lost several minutes. The Auckland boat rounded the Bayswater mark at lhr. 29min. 50sec. for the lead to the clubhouse or fourth mark, which was made at lhr. 38min. 208ec. Otago at this time was making for the Bayswater, or third mark, which was rounded at lhr. 38min. 32sec. Auckland thus had a lead ol! about ten minutes, or well over half a mile. At the end of the first round or fourth mark the times were: Auckland, lh 38m 20s; Otago, lh 48m 15s. The times showed that Auckland increased their lead at every mark. Otago was now hopelessely &ut of the race. After the lead to the Northcote or first mark, Auckland rounded the buoy at lh 46m 26s and Otago followed at lh 57m 30s, or 11m 4s astern of her rival. Nearing the end of the journey Auckland gained the Bayswater mark at lh 59m 48s, while Otago was still beating away near Northcote. Otago's finishing time was 2 hours 22mtn. 9sec. Auckland won the race without any opposition, the finishing times being 2 hours 9min 43sec. Otago were still heading for the Bayswater mark and were at least 15min behind Auckland. The latter crossed the line amid applause. This was Auckland’s first victory in the contest. Another race will now be necessary, and all eight competitors will take part. This event is timed to start about 3.30 p.m.