YACHTING

Southland Times, Issue 21581, 19 December 1931, Page 16

YACHTING

(By Spinnaker.) Coming Events. January 1.- —Bluff Regatta. January 18.—Sanders Cup Races. The trials conducted by the Invercargill Boating Club to pick the fourteen-footer to represent Invercargill in the sail-off against the chosen Stewart Island boat for the honour of representing the province at the forthcoming Sanders Cup Contest were concluded last Saturday. Vai, being the first boat to win three of the five races set down for the purpose of finding this boat, has been chosen. It was originally intended that the best Invercargill boat should sail off with the best Stewart Island boat in final trials, but unfortunately word was received a week ago that Stewart Island had decided not to compete in these final trials and was giving Invercargill a free hand to send a boat away. It is to be regretted that Stewart Island has decided not to compete as it was anticipated that some very keen racing would result in these final races which would give the crews extra experience. As a result of the action of the Stewart Island Club, Vai, the winner of the trials at Invercargill, will represent the province this season. It was found necessary to hold only four trials as Vai was defeated only once and then by a matter of seconds. The final trials held last Saturday were sailed in a moderate breeze which fell away considerably in the second race after the tide had turned. Medium weight crews were carried by all boats in both races. In the first race Vai was the only boat to carry her leader and seemed to be hampered by it on windward work in the first round when the breeze was fairly fresh. She did better on the wind in the second round when she changed to her worker. Both Vai and Rosita arc very fast boats and well up to Sanders Cup standard. Of the two Rosita seems the faster off the wind, but cannot catch the Vai on the wind. Whether this is due to the boats bein gtrimmed differently, it is hard to say, but the respective merits of each boat were very noticeable throughout the trials. With the weather conditions ideal and the tide favourable, the Estuary- has presented a pretty sight during the evenings of this week, as the yachts, skiffs and pleasure craft glided about over its surface. The proximity of the holiday season and the various regattas is inducing yachtsmen and others to get in the training so necessary and to see that their craft whether yacht, cruiser, or skiff, is in tip-top order. Last week-end, the Hercules was launched from the Invercargill Boating Club’s slipway and the Eureka hauled out for a paint up. Eureka is joining the rank of the auxiliaries and is being fitted with a mast and sails, her owner having decided that it is safer to have two means of locomotion instead of having to depend en-

tirely on power. Besides being an extra means of locomotion, the sail will help to steady the Eureka when at sea and will also give the owner a chance to relieve himself at times of the monotonous beat of the engine. Another vessel that took the water again during the week-end after her annual overhaul was the Seabird. She is looking in good trim again and is a credit to her owners who have gone to considerable trouble to improve her appearance. The Te Kaigna and Pakeha are also receiving a coat of paint ready for the cruising season. The “happy hunting ground” of the larger vessels for the Christmas week seems to be Stewart Island. It is expected that at least six of the local fleet will make the journey across the Straits on or about Boxing Day. Several of them have signified their intention of returning to Bluff on New Year’s Day for the Bluff Regatta. We wish them, one ipd all, the best of weather and a pleasant trip, the two most essential things to a good cruising holiday. During the past week, an old and much esteemed yachtsman, Mr J. Rigg, decided to give up taking an active part in yachting on the Estuary and placed his boats and equipment for sale. Mr Rigg, who has had to give up yachting on account of his age, has taken an active part in the sport for a good many years. His sphere of action has embraced the pleasure side of yachting rather than the racing side, he having spent many happy hours of his fife afloat in his yachts. His retirement from an active part in the sport will be regretted by all, but it is hoped that his interest will not wane also.