YACHT RACING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 11, 6 February 1909, Page 2

YACHT RACING.

TilK SAYOXAIiA U'P. THE i)Ki-KNutci; DF.I-EATKU. Received 0. .1.11 l a.m. Melbourne, January 5. There win great interest taken in (V fir»t contest for the Sayonara Cup between the defender, the Victorian yacht Sayonara, ami the challenger, the Thelma, belonging to Sydney. At the fctai't a uice and whole >ail south-easter-ly breeze sprang up. The Thelma was tho first over the line, but the Sayonara, shooting up, got to windward. The ■wind freshening, the Thelm gave a tine exhibition of her sailing qualities, movj ing faster than the Sayonara. As t lie eastern shore was approached, the

wind was alternately squally to light. The Thelma just held her own on the port tack, but gained oil her rival on the starboard tack. Thus the- race was fought out to the windward mark, where the Sayoaava. had tlu* advantage. She made the buoy, but the Theima uiissed and had to make a short board to get round, tin Sayonara being a minute to the good at this point. The Sayonara was. quick in' hoisting her spinnaker, hut could not break the sail out. The Thelma, sailing more slowly, set her kites, but did so without any mistake, overtook the Sayonara, and obtained a good lead. The Thelma kept the position all the way home, although, if anything, the Sayonara d'-'ereasert the lead given her opponent through the trouble with hejxJ<Ues. The Thelma won I>v 43 seconds.