SANDERS CUP TRIALS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 257, 20 January 1928, Page 11

SANDERS CUP TRIALS

AVALON WINS SECOND RACE RONA AT DISADVANTAGE Avalon won the second trial race held last evening for the selection of Auckland’s boat for the Sanders Cup contest, to be held at Stewart Island next month. • THE winner defeated Rona, the secto finish, by 2min 30sec. The members of Rona’s crew say they should never have contested this trial, race. Some time before the event was to have been sailed the gaff jaws were •smashed, and another gaff had to be fitted. -Vs a result the mainsail would not “set’ ’and was thus severely handicapped. Her crew decided to contest the race, as they did not wish to withdraw almost at the last moment. The damage is now being repaired by a firm of shipbuilders. The race started at 5.30 p.m., and Avalon was first away, closely followed by Rona, Joan and Queen March in that order. The boats had a beat to the Resolution buov and all kept well in Mechanics’ Bay before breaking tacks, except Queen March, which stood further out in the harbour. . , , Avalon continued her lead and rounded the Resolution buoy 14sec ahead of Rona, which was 56sec In front of Joan, Queen March being 30sec further astern. On the next leg of the course to the Sandspit beacon, Avalon further improved her position, while Queen March caught and passed Joan. Raunding the beacon the times were:—Avalon, 5h 58m 50s; Rona, 6h Oin Is; Queen March, 6h lm 10s; Joan, bh Spi™.iikeva were set for the run up to the finishing* line at Kings Wharf, and fast times were recorded by the boats in tin- fresh easterly. Avalon increased her lead on the run up the harbour, and the issue was never in doubt. Joan and Queen March made a veryclose race of it. The former was in the had until approaching the judge’s boat, when Joan drew level with Queen March, both boats making a dead-heat for third 1,1 Result Avalon. 6h 13m 50s £ Rona, 6h 16m 20s - Oueen March. 6h ISm 5s Joan, 6h 18m 5s 4 Walon was sailed by J. Patrick; Rona i % }■; Matthews: Queen March by A. Wilkinson: and Joan by M . J. Potter. * \ third race will be sailed to-morrow starting off Kings Whuff at 1.30 p.m.