SANDERS CUP CONTEST

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 879, 24 January 1930, Page 6

SANDERS CUP CONTEST

UNCERTAINTY ABOUT VAL’S CHALLENGE COMPLEX POSITION ARISES Although official advice from Stewart Island has stated Val, Southland’s Sanders Cup challenger, had been withdrawn, it was reported at last evening’s meeting of the Auckland Yacht and Motor Boat Association that the boat and a crew were waiting at Invercargill ready to come North. After looking up records before him the chairman, Mr. C. H. T. Palmer, remarked that it seemed Southland had not properly challenged at all, but Val’s nomination appeared to come from two private individuals. “If there is any blame, it appears to be chargeable to the Stewart Island Yacht and Motor Boat Club for not making the position clear,” said the honorary secretary, Mr. A. J. Collings. He ordered that two men of the same name, but differing in initials, place of residence and club, had nominated Val, and later the Stewart Island Club had withdrawn the challenge. A delegate stated he had heard Val was on her way North, despite notification of her withdrawal, money now being available. Mr. Collings: All we can do is to leave it at the yachting conference which mets prior to the contest. Mr. Palmer: We apparently have a formal challenge and then a formal letter from the controlling authority at Stewart Island stating Val is not coming. I cannot see what the conference can do. The boat has been officially withdrawn. Mr. Collings: The less one tries to do the better. After further discussion it was decided to wire the Stewart Island Club asking definitly what was the position. Subsequently the delegate who had been informed of Val’s consignment North, advised the meeting that Val and a crew were waiting at Invercargill ready to come, “but were waiting to hear whether Auckland would let the boat race if she arrived. “We haven’t stopped this boat coming,” Mr. Palmer pointed out. “If the Val does not come it will he due to the Stewart Island Club itself. It is not for us to say whether Val may race. The conference decides.” The selection of Auckland’s crew to sail in Avalon has not yet been finalised. The owner’s recommendations were not approved in toto by the Selection Committee, which will confer with Avalon’s owner and announce a decision at an early date.