CORNWELL CUP CONTEST

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 290, 28 February 1928, Page 14

CORNWELL CUP CONTEST

HOPES OF A SETTLEMENT The following’ letter from the Otago , Yacht and Motor-boat Association to the Takapuna Boating Club, relating to the recent Cornwell Cup contro- ; versy, and the latter club’s reply, explain themselves, and we hope will ! give finality to the much-debated dej cision: Dear Sir, —

My Association has directed me to con--1 vey to you the following resolutions:— j “That the Otago Yacht and MotorBoat Association, having carefully eonI sidered the action of the Sailing Committee, in deciding to resail the fifth : race in the Cornwell Cup series of races, and all the rules and ordinary customs | of the sea, together with the published ■ defence of its actions by the Sailing Com- | mittee, is firmly of the opinion that such [ decision was contrary to the Yacht Rac- ! ing Association rules and yacht racing ] practice, and therefore wrongly deprived the Otago crew of the race and the honour of holding the cup. The association | further resolves that the decision is of such importance as to warrant a case being stated for the opinion of the Y.R.A. (the highest authority in the yacht racing world), such case to be impartially prepared and agreed to by the Takapuna Boating Club and the Otago Yacht and Motor-Boat Association.

“That a copy of these resolutions be forwarded to the Takapuna Boating Club and the Auckland Yacht and Motor-Boat Association.’’ Yours faithfully, H. ANDERSON. Secretary. Dear Sir, — Your letter of the 27th ultimo incorporating a resolution by your Association was considered by my Committee at its last meeting. Jt was treated as a request from your Association that mv Club should join with you in preparing a statement of the facts and rules relating to the resailing of the fifth race in order that the statement could be sent to the Yacht Racing Association for a ruling as to whether the Cornwell Cup Sailing Committee’s decision was a correct one. If this is what was intended my Committee feels that the course proposed is unnecessary and will be devoid of all practical value. In the first place the rules relating to the Cornwell Cup make it clear that my Club has no status as the whole control of the race was in the hands of the Cornwell Cup Sailing Committee whose decision disposed of the matter finally. It has been suggested that a ruling would be of assistance to those controlling future contests, but upon reference to the Cornwell Cup rules you will see that each conference can make such modification of the sailing rules for its own contest as it thinks desirable, and it follows that if your Association considers that any of the sailing rules are not clear or contrary to the best interests of yachting your delegate should move an amendment when the conference meets 24 hours before the next contest. In the opinion of my Committee, however, the deciding factor is that the whole controversey hinges so much on the special sailing rules relating to the Cornwell Cup contest that the Yacht Racing Association will refuse to give a ruling and will hold that the proper body to decide any such matter would be the body which made the rules.

My Committee will, therefore, be pleased if you will further consider your proposal in the light of the matters now mentioned, and if you are still desirous of a ruling on the matter, which is now, after all, merely one of academic interest, my Committee will obtain from the judges and other officials full statements of what took place and will supplement this with a statement as to the circumstances under which the much debated Sailing Rule 3 was inserted and its opinion as to the scope and intention of that rule. Subject to the approval of the late delegates the whole matter could then be submitted to the Yacht Racing Association for its opinion on that part of the controversy which is governed by its rules.

Upon receipt of a reply from you my Committee will submit the proposal to the late delegates for their approval. Although the Contest Sailing Committee has ceased to function my Committee feels that courtesy demands that the various delegates should be consulted. Yours faithfully, C. H. HOVERD, Hon. Secretary.