THE AMERICA CUP.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 134, 13 July 1914, Page 3

THE AMERICA CUP.

UPTON'S ENTERPRISE.

AGAINST HEAVY ODDS.

In the world of sport to-day there is surely no more interesting figure than Sir Thomas Lipton—no man'who has so' persistently contended in what hitherto has proved a losing cause, the quest of the AmeVica Cup, the oldest 'international trophy in existence. Grit And determination and prodigality in the incurring of expense have marked his efforts to win back a yachting trophy, the actual value of which is not worth• considering, taken from England as far back as 1851. When he is ihrough with the preparation of au>ther challenger to race for the cup in the American fall (our spring) this year he will-have .expended,:it is estimated, something like £1,000,000 in An endeavour to open the strong-room in ■which the America Cup, regarded by United States yachtsmen with almost as much affection as the national flag, has been locked away by the New York Yachting Club. It happens to be the only international trophy that America has* been successful in. retaining since the day it was deeded as such to the "N.Y.Y.C. And if America can help it the cup will remain in New York for all time. This year no fewer than three defenders have been built, from amongst which the boat to raee Shamrock IV. will be chosen. In the face of such preparation it would seem almost an impossible task for one man, wealthy as he is, to wrest "the pewter -mug," as the cup has been termed, from its present holders. Yet Sir Thomas Lipton keeps on trying, and the attempt he is now engaged upon holds a particular interest for Australians, since 'it is not "at a'll improbable that the commodore of the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (Sydney),'Mr W. M. Marks, will assist on Shamrock IV. America has always insisted that the cup shall be raced for by freak boats, whereas . the condition that the challenger shall be built in the country whence the challenge emanates has compelled Sir Thomas Lipton and the other determined Britishers who have made assaults an the trophy to build vessels that will have .some utility and general seaworthiness. Always Sir Thomas has insisted that the cup should be raced for by boats that will be something more than the toy of a few hours. Always the request, has fallen upon deaf ears. America wants to keep the cup, and is not likely to take risks. And, as a rule, after lie has built a boat capable of sailing across the Atlantic, the challenger finds on arrival that he has to concede time allowances to vessels built purely for speed. The;hintory of the cup is as interesting as it is aa little known. Originally it was not an international challenge 'trophy. It was the prize given by the. Royal Yacht -Squadron of England for -a race round the Isle of Wight, open to all comers. In .1851 the schooner America, owned by the then commodore of the New York Yacht Club (J. L. Stevens) won it, and carried it off to America, when it was named the America Cup, and was conveyed by the winner to his club as a perpetual international trophy. Thereupon the club laid down rules that on one occasion prompted Sir Thomas Lipton, if report be true; to remark that they might as well have put it in a museum. Whether he said it or not does not much matter. The statement bears the impress of fact. On August 8, 1870, Cambria, a yacht owned by Mr James Ashbury, of the Royal Yacht Squadron, sailed against the whole of the' .New York Yacht Club's fleet in an endeavour to lift the prize, but failed. Next year the same owner tried with Livonia, the conditions being the best four out of sevSen races. On that occasion Livonia won one race —the only race ever won by a challenger for the cup. In 189 H, Valkyrie 111., owned by the Earl of Dunraveii, won, but was disqualified for alleged fouling, and in 1901 Shamrock 11. (Sir Thomas Lipton) crossed the liue 2sec. ahead of the Columbia, but lost to the American vessel on time allowance.

From 1876 to 1887 the conditions governing the contest were the best two out of three races, but from 189:> to 190.'!, when Sir Thomas Lipton made his 'ast attempt, the conditions were the »est three out of five races.

Frequently Sir Thomas has expressed limself as disheartened by the general conditions covering the event. But he returns again to the charge this year. Buch sporting spirit deserve;-* success. — Sydney '' Telegraph.''