YACHTING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2419, 6 February 1909, Page 3

YACHTING.

SAYONARA CUP. THELMA WINS FIRST CONTEST. United Phess Association. Copyright (Received February 6, 1.10 a.m.) ■MELBOUMNEi Feb. 5. Great Interest was taken in the first contest for the iSayonara Gup, The defender was the Victorian yacht Sayonara, and the challenger was the Thelma, of Sydney. At the start a nice south-easterly breeze sprang up, and the Thelma was first over tlie line, but the Sayonara, shooting up, got to windward with an excellent start. The wind freshening, the Thelma gave a fine exhibition of hert sailing qualities, moving faster than tho Sayonara. As the esatern shore •vas approached, the wind was alternately squally and light. Tlie Thelma just held her own oil the port tack, but gained on her rival on the starboard tack. Thus the race was fought out to tho windward mark, where the Sayonara had the advantage as she made tho buoy, but the Thelma missed, and had to make a short board to get round, tho Sayonara being a minute to the good at this point. The Sayonara was quick in hoisting her spinnaker, but could not break her sail out. Tho Thelma was slower to set her kites, but did so without any mistake, and overtook the Sayonara and obtained a good lead. The Thelma kept her position all the. way home, although, if anything, the .Sayonara decreased the lead, through her opponent having trouble with the kites. The 'Thelma won by 45 seconds.