SELECTION OF AVALON

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 581, 6 February 1929, Page 11

SELECTION OF AVALON

ASSOCIATION APPROVES CREW LEAVES ON SUNDAY That he was satisfied the best boat and crew had been selected was the opinion of Mr. O. Moller, chairman of the Auckland Yacht and Motor - Boat Association, which last evening endorsed the selection of Avalon as Auckland’s challenger in the forthcoming Sanders Cup contest, beginning at Akaroa on February 14. ILTIS view was shared by. all delegates, who expressed confidence in the selectors, Messrs. H. J. C. George, H. Kirkliam and E. B. Webster. It was pleasing to learn that the members of the crew weer all young men, said Mr. Moller, and the fact that they had been actually selected by the association, and not by the owner of the boat, would be the means of reviving interest among the younger yachtsmen in Auckland. The action of the owner of Avalon in placing her entirely in the hands of the association was to be commended. It was decided to send Avalon South this evening'by the Kurow. The crew will leave by train on Sunday evening, arriving at Akaroa on the Tuesday. The first race will be sailed on Wednesday next. The centres represented at the contest will be Auckland (Avalon), Wellington (Clyde), Canterbury (Colleen), Otago (Eileen), and Southland (Murihiku III.). PROPOSED AGE LIMIT At its last meeting the association tentatively passed a remit to the Sanders Cup Conference that in future ages of crews be restricted to 21 and under. The question was submitted to the various clubs for discussion, and as a result delegates last evening in effect withdrew the remit. In moving* “that the present conditions be maintained,” Mr. W. A. Wilkinson said it was not the opinion of all Auckland clubs that the age he restricted. Mr. H. George, representing the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, strongly advocated the age limit, and moved, as an amendment, “That the contest be confined to boys under 21 years.” The chairman expressed the opinion that, while it might be possible to confine the contest to youths on the Waitemata, he felt sure the idea could not be carried out in the South. The motion was carried by a good majority. The question will be further discussed at a meeting of the Dominion Yachting Conference at Akaroa next Tuesday, when Auckland’s decision will be placed before the delegates.