YACHTING

Southland Times, Issue 21652, 14 March 1932, Page 6

YACHTING

INVF.RCARGILL BOATING CLUB. There was a large gathering of spectators at the local yacht races on Saturday, the main attraction being the reappearance of many old timers in command of the various boats. The first race which was contested by the present skippers was full of incident and mishaps. Owing to the strong southwesterly breeze and a choppy sea the smaller boats had great difficulty in keeping afloat. The 14-footers attempted to carry spinnakers in the first run up channel but without success. After a good tussle Spindrift crossed the line first an easy .winner from Evelyn second, and Rosita third. The wind abated somewhat before the commencement of the veterans’ event. The following boats took part in the event— Ulva (T. Ballantyne), Huia (J. J. Gough), Gratitude (J. Hastings), Spindrift (F. J. Biggs, Rosita (T. Bragg), and Vai (O. E. Johnstone). The following handicaps were declared:— Ulva, Huia and Gratitude limit, Spindrift 2mins, Vai and Rosita 3mins. Each skipper received many words of advice as the boats crossed the starting line. Huia took the lead being well handled by J. J. Gough. The fourteen-footers kept well together racing side by side. After a lead to Pleasure Bay the course lay in a beat to windward to the channel. Huia was maintaining her lead in this leg of the course when the skipper decided to shake out a reef. In doing so the boat listed and suddenly sank with all hands. Smart work by the crew of the launch Seabird soon salvaged the craft and crew. Spindrift now took command and went ahead to win by a good margin. Vai and Rosita were still together for the run home, the former boat crossing the line barely a length ahead for second place. Ulva was fourth followed by Gratitude. Although many of the contestants have not been out for sometime, they all displayed skill in handling their boats and it is to be hoped that this race will become an annual event.