WIN FOR AVALON

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 563, 16 January 1929, Page 13

WIN FOR AVALON

SANDERS CUP TRIAL Light and variable winds, which at times fell away almost to a Dead calm, spoiled the second trial race for the selection of the boat to challenge, on behalf of Auckland, in the Sanders Cup contest to be sailed at Akaroa next month. The trial was started off King’s Wharf at 5.20 last evening on a course from the wharf round the Sandspit beacon, round the Resolution buoy, and back to the starting iine, once round. Honours went to Avalon, last year’s representative, sailed by Mr. A. Willetts, which defeated Kona, with Mr. V. Lidgard at the tiller, by 19s. The new boat, Val, handled by Mr. A. Matthews, was 1.24 astern of Kona. As a test of sailing the match was not a success. Avalon got the best of the start, with Val and Kona not far behind in that order. The light westerly allowed the use of spinnakers, which were set for the run to the first mark. Kona had some difficulty in getting her extra to draw, but the others at once filled their sails. By keeping to the middle of the harbour Avalon drew ahead, but Val working the south shore did not do so well. At the eastern tide-deflector Kona .which was on a similar course to that steered by Val, passed the new boat. Here Avalon was about 50 yards ahead of Kona. Soon, however, both Kona and Val drew level with the leader. A little after passing the Victoria Wharf, Devonport, Val left Avalon behind, but soon got into a calm The other two also lost the wind and hung lifeless for some minutes. When the breeze came again it was from the north. Spinnakers were taken in and leaders set. Avalon was first to feel the new breeze, and she passed Val, which did not get a breath for nearly two minutes. In the interim Kona bowled along to run into second place. At the Sandspit the times were: Avalon, 5.48.24; Kona, 5.49.3; Val, 5.50.29. It was a run to Resolution buoy, but after moving quietly for less than ten minutes, the contestants again got into a patch of windless water, r?o that they barely had steerage way. Making tire most of the flowing tide Val made up part of her deficiency. About, six o’clock adight westerly was picked up and the boats made the Resolution. Rounding the mark Avalon had a comfortable advantage from Kona, which was 23s thead of Val. The boats now had a beat on the last leg to the finish, and all stood on port tack. Although holding well up to windward Val was not sailing as fast as the others, which were sailed rather freer. First to break tacks Avalon crossed Kona. Soon afterward the latter threw round and both worked board for board for the rest of the course, both going deep into Mechanics’ Bay. Although keeping well out into the flowing tide Val was unable to draw up. Finishing times were: Avalon, (5.22.27 1 Kona, 6.22.46 * Val, 6.24.10 3 The first test sailed on Saturday went to Val by 11s from Kona, which defeated Avalon by three seconds. A third race will be held to-morrow evening from King's Wharf about five o’clock.