SANDERS CUP PROBLEMS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 562, 15 January 1929, Page 12

SANDERS CUP PROBLEMS

OPINION IN THE SOUTH • There has been a good deal of dissatisfaction lately, and the time is ripe for something to be done to rejuvenate the biue-ribbon event of the Dominion’s yachting year ' writes "Bobstay,” of the Christ church “Sun.” in an able examina tion of the present condition of the Sanders Cup contest. Auckland yachtsmen will smile at the "blue ribbon” touch, but it illus trates the Southern regard, almost affection, for the contest. “Bobstay'’ deals thoroughly with the Auckland Yacht and Motor-boat Association’s pro forma remit to the forthcoming annual contest conference suggesting that ages of crews in future be restricted to 21 and under. He has taken some pains to sound the South Island mind, and his findings are interesting in view of the almost übiquitous impression among Waitemata men that yachtsmen down South are satisfied with the existing state of affairs. All the discussion about ages is very interesting, and though of importance, is really—at least to most of those up here, who are concerned with the future of the contests —a secondary issue. The burning question is surely that of the absurd cost of these cockleshell craft. The Auckland Yacht Association might well have got on to thai at the outset, particularly in view of the remarks of some delegates. Southern opinions would be illuminating. This is what “Bobstay” says: “Since the proposal was first made by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron—which will not support the Sanders Cup contests unless it is adopted—it has been widely discussed by yachtsmen throughout New Zealand, and it has received a fair measure of support, as well as a certain amount of rather hasty condemnation. “There is much to be said in favour of the suggestion, for there can be no doubt that in the course of its eight years of existence the contest has got away to some extent from the original intention of the founder of the class, if not from that of the donors of the cup. DIVIDED OPINION “Opinion in Canterbury,as elsewhere, is suarply divided, and the proposal has been variously designated ’a very good idea.* commendable but impracticable,’ ‘ruination.’ ‘absolutely ridiculous.’ ‘a lot of rubbish.’ ‘good, but has drawbacks.’ and ‘the best thing that could happen.’ “It is admitted on all hands that the building and equipping of a Sanders Cup boat has become year by year more expensive. No one will deny that for the average young fellow taking up yachting a 14-footer of the standard a l , present required is out of the question Magnus Smith, one of the best : known New Zealand builders, has said that he could turn out two boats for tn price paid for Wellesley 11. last yeai which goes to show that the ex P® nfc * under present conditions is a good deal more than is warranted. “It has been claimed that lads aie already provided for by the Corn* ; Cup contest. It is all very well w say: If they restrict the age unutioi the Sanders Cup to 21, it is going •; clash with the Cornwell Cup. and u /mi have an experienced man at in tiller of the 14-footers he is going w teach the young fellows he has in tn boat with him a great deal. have these skippers taught their cre\ = my thing except how to handle the runners or the jib-sheets or -the spmnaSanders Cup crews have . bec °"?*; specialists, each man with his * particular job to do. Year after . * ae same skippers and the same ere = doing the same jobs have turned up at the contests. Is this teaching t vounger lads, and giving them chance? How many youngsters nay graduated from the Takapuna into the Sanders Cup crews of the three years? „ rum- “ Certainly the question of boats is the biggest stumbling-bloc* the way of the adoption of land proposal. It must be admi that few, if any, yachtsmen under - could afford to lay out £IOO for t building of a. boat, and that not man men would care to provide nil , for the building of a boat to be in the contests by someone else, *■ sibly the difficulty would-be overt* to some extent by making limit 24 or 25. t ,. “Something should be done, • ward making the initial o^ . 5 and the time has arrived when thought should be given to the Q of adopting a cheaper , cla f? ° tpst Nothing would be lost m the t skill and seamanship. opin ion “ ‘Bobstay’ is strongly of the op» that every yachting association *aZealand should discuss the que ars soon as possible, approaching impartial and open spirit, w . idea of making some concrete P rjj er , for the improvement of tlie the Cup contest. Each delegate conference should know exa< 'A w heo his club or association stands the remit comes up for discu