OTAGO DENIED CUP

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

OTAGO DENIED CUP

VICTORY IN FIFTH RACE THROUGH no fault of their own, H. Riddell and C. Churchill, Otago's crew in the Cornwell Cup contest, were yesterday denied the trophy, although they have been the first crew to win three races as required in the conditions of the contest. During the progress of the fifth race held yesterday afternoon, Canterbury collided with Auckland’s boat, which was then holding second position. The Auckland boys subsequently applied for a resail on the grounds that they had to retire owing to damage caused by Canterbury when they had a reasonable chance of winning. After an inquiry the sailing committee ordered the race to be sailed again between Otago and Auckland. It was decided that the collision had a detrimental effect on the Auckland boat’s gear and spoiled her chances of carrying on in the race. The race was scheduled to start at 12.30 p.m. to-day, to bo sailed between Otago and Auckland only. If, however, Auckland is victorious, a further race contested by all the crews will be held and the contest continued until one competitor has won three races. On the other hand, should Otago again prove successful, the Cornwell Cup will be handed over to the Dunedin boys. This crew has actually finished first on four consecutive occasions, hut lost to Hawke’s Bay in the third race of the series through a collision for which Otago was responsible. A NEW COURSE

Tho boats started off from the clubhouse, then went round a dinghy moored off Bayswater Point, to a buoy off Northcote on the starboard hand. The boats then came back to the Bayswater dinghy on the port side, then to a mark at the head of Shoal Bay on the port hand. The course was then over to the Northcote mark, and back to the Bayswater dinghy to finish at the clubhouse. Thus there was a lead to the first mark, a run back to Northcote, a beat back to Bayswater, a lead to Shoal Bay mark, a run to Northcote, a beat back to Bayswater and a lead to the finish. The distance was about six and a-half miles. T JT .. The boats were: Wellington. Lai Lai, Whangarei, Kitty; Manukau. Delphine; Canterburv, Arihana; Tauranga, Trevic; Auckland, Tio; Otago, Comet, and Hawke’s Bay, Frolic. The course chosen gave more windward work than In any previous race. Owing to their light weight the small Tauranga boys raced with a reefed mainsail. A splendid start was witnessed at 1 40 p.m. The eight contestants crossed the line in the following order: Auckland just ahead of Tauranga Manukau and Canterbury hard at their heels Otago and Wellington close behind, and Whangarei and Hawke s Bay three seconds later. On the lead ■ *° the Bayswater mark, the boats Immediately felt the strong wind and all were closely bunched. the wav round, with Auckland next. The others followed in the following order- Whangarei. Hawke s Bay, Canterbury, Wellington and Tauranga. Manukau met with trouble with the mainsail and l a |? ed gE 1 behind. Gtago sped, bfiiore. uu?

wind in fine style, but the crew had some trouble with the running gear*, half-way over and Auckland was able to draw r closer. Nearing the Northcote mark, Otago led; easily and was first round the buoy. Canterbury Came next, Auckland third, while Tauranga, Whangarei, Hawke’s Bay and Wellington followed in those positions. On the beat back to the Bays water mark Canterbury fouled Auckland, which was on the starboard tack, and then held second place, but both carried on in the race. About a third of the way back the order was Otago, Auckland, Tauranga, Hawke’s Bay, and the others strung out astern. A 1,1 the boats stood over into the Northcote shore and Otago had a comfortable lead from Canterbury, half way across the bay, beating to the Bayswater dinghy. AUCKLAND’S BAD LUCK At this stage Auckland withdrew from the race, owing to a cracked mast and damage from the collision with Canterbury. Passing the clubhouse at the conclusion of the first round, Otago had established a long lead from Canterbury. The times at this mark were: Otago ...... .... 2h 13m 52 s Canterbury .. .. .. .. 2h 15m 3e Tauranga .. .. .. .. 2h 17m 47s Whangarei .. .. .. 2h 18m Os Wellington .. ...... 2lx 21m Os Hawke’s Bay ...... 2h 21m 27s Manukau 2h 22m 50s Rounding the Northcote mark Otago had a lead of 4min lOsec from Canterbury. Whangarei followed 33sec after Canterbury, and 7sec afterwards came Tauranga. This advantage was further increased when Otago reached the Bayswater dinghy for the lead to the finish. , . . The Dunedin boys made this mark at 2hr 41min 12sec. Canterbury pulled out and gave place to Tauranga, who,

however, were far astern of Otago. This crew rounded the dinghy at 2hr 46min lOsec. Otago finished without opposition at 3hr 47min 55sec, amid great applause. Tauranga was next to cross the line, and the small crew was accorded an ovation. Tauranga’s finishing time was 2hr 52min 23sec. The finishing times and placings were: Otago, 2hr 47min 55sec 1 Tauranga, 2hr 52min 23sec .... 2 Manukau, 2hr 68min Bsec .... 3 Also Finished.—Hawke’ei Bay, 2hr 59min 38fcec: Wellington, 3hr Omin 33 sec. Auckland, Canterbury and Whangarei did riot finish.