SANDERS CUP

Southland Times, Issue 21219, 21 October 1930, Page 3

SANDERS CUP

SOUTHLAND’S PROSPECTS DIS-

CUSSED.

KEENNESS AMONG YACHTSMEN.

Some interesting particulars in connection with yachting in the south and Southland’s prospects in next year’s’ contest for the Sanders Cup were gleaned during an interview with Mr T. Bragg, the wellknown Stewart Island ‘yachtsman. Mr Bragg said that both the Stewart Island Yacht Club and the Invercargill Boating Chib were working in 'harmony, and members, particularly of the latter body, were very- keen. Both clubs had agreed to hold a series of trial races between the Jellicoe class boats to select a challenger for the Sanders Cup. Southland dropped out of the picture last year, but the province would make a bold bid to secure the trophy at the Dunedin contest next February. A proposal had been made to hold the trial races at Bluff at the time of the annual regatta on January 1. The proposal would receive due consideration at the annual meeting of the Stewart Island Club this week and Mr Bragg stated that he believed the Bluff Regatta Committee was agreeable to the proposal. Continuing, Mr Bragg emphasized that Southland was in a stronger position than, ever as regards boats. The Invercargill Club had the ex-Auckland boat Vai, Murihiku 111 and Tom Thumb, and also a new boat not yet named, which was built and owned by M. Pasco. The Stewart Island Club had the Auckland champion Rona, and Murihiku I and 11. The three boats were located at Halfmoon Bay. The Invercargill and Stewart Island boats -would all be manned by young and very keen crews. V. Bragg would sail Rona, whilst H.‘ Hansen would probably sail Murihiku I or Murihiku 11. In the crews would be D. Hanning, A. Carstensen, and L. Bragg. The two clubs were anxious to try out the boats and crews and to send the best boat and crew to Dunedin in February. Rona would be equipped with a new set of English sails, which were expected to come to hand at the end of November. Murihiku II and Vai had good suits of Sails, and Mr Pasco’s new boat would also carry new sails. All the boats were thus in first class racing order, and Southland enthusiasts expected to make a successful showing in the 1931 contest.

Mr Bragg, who is a veteran Sanders Cup skipper, said that his sailing days had come to a close, but he was keen to see - the next contest, and also to see Southland win the cup. In referring again to the boats, he said that Vai and Murihiku HI were owned by O. Johnston and son. Rona was owned by V. Bragg. This boy had had a long experience of small boat sailing. He was a member of the Southland crew at the Auckland contest .in 1923, the Wellington contest in 1924, and the Dunedin contest in 1926. H. Hansen was a member of the Southland crew at the Dunedin contest in 1922, Auckland in 1923 and 1925, Dunedin again in 1926, Lyttelton in 1927, Stewart Island in 1925, and Akaroa in 1929. Another promising yachtsman from Stewart Island was T. Bragg, jun. He sailed for Southland in 1922, 1923, 1924, 1926, and 1928. The Gough brothers, also, added Mr Bragg, were showing great promise .as yachtsmen.