AMERICA CUP.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 219, 16 September 1930, Page 7

AMERICA CUP.

the second race

enterprise wins.

Shamrock Beaten By 9m 49s On Triangular Course.

BATTLE OP TACTICS,

(United P.A.-Electric Telegraph-Copyright)

The America Cup defender Enterprise won the second heat of the series of races against Sir Thomas Lipton's Shamrock, beating her by 9m 495. The yachts started at 10.40 a.m. on a triangular course, Enterprise leading over tho line. Shamrock held the windward berth. Both beats carried mainsail, stayGail, jib and large jib topsail. A tenmile breeze was blowing. Enterprise, sailing closer to the wind, away from her opponent in the first few minutes and crossed her bows at 10.35 a.m., leaving the challenger five "lengths behind. As soon as Enterprise was well to weather she went back on to the starboard tack, and a few minutes later both boats were on the port tack. Using every means to gam an advantage, 'Captain Heard, the skipper of Shamrock, went about immediately on the starboard tack, and Enterprise followed suit. Within ten minutes Shamrock again went on the starboard tack, and once more the manoeuvre was folby Mr. Vanderbilt, at the helm of Enterprise. It was evident that Mr. Vanderbilt was not taking any chance of allowing the challenger to slip away from him.

~. Repetition of Tactics. " With the first turning mark almost ■within' rounding distance at 11.45 a.m., •' ShamrocK went on to starboard tack," ' Enterprise following, but Captain Heard ' immediately downed his helm and went :• lack, on to the port tack. Shortly after, mid-day Shamrock tacked, again, but Enterprise, holding on, rounded the first mark, the times beingSi;, '■ . .' ■ • ' .. ' Enterprise 12h 21m " ' -Shamrock ~...' 12h 27m As . Enterprise boomed away on the' .. lon£' reach for the second mark she slid f;;, easily through a gentle swell, while Shamrock, which was almost a mile behind, eeemed to be experiencing harder going, and her nose was plunging sluggishly into the' Swell. >■ '. 1- \ ' Both yachts set their ballooners upon ' rounding, the mark, and this made a dif- \ ference to their" speed, which was con'siderabiy increased. ' Enterprise Draws Ahead. • Enterprise rounded the 20-mile mark ' at -l'h-'. 2Crti,- two -miles or more ahead of Shamrock,~ \Vhicii rounded 9m 10s .lat£fe';-Bet'h r boat's icairried leading•stay- ' , sails in addition to balloon jibs. Enterit';v.';. prise came down on the mark "with.-,a bone*itt her teeth," and swung'round the :buoy with little loss in speed. •?.£>. Fog began to settle.down,shortly after the'-boats turned the 20-mile mark. Mr. .Vanderbilt set his spinnaker shortly before two o'clock. ; Apparently he was not taking any, chances, with the race''-so nearly' ended, but his caution . . , ' ieemed unnecessary, as Shamrock car- • ried on with only mainsail and ballooner both drawing. Captain Heard was ap. i , '■ parently saving his light canvas for a v better day.: Fifteen minutes later, .however, Shamrock broke out her spinnaker. ; ? Enterprise had a long lead, and the yachts, finished as follows— „ „ ;■ Enterprise ......... 2h 41m 31s „ ' i' ' Shamrock ......... ,2h 51m 20.3,. r , ':'' "■ I ' ■" '■■■■ '■ - ' ' • - . • Shamrock made her..best showing on the. r 'third leg of the triangle, on which Enterprise beat her by only a margin r ' u of 39 seconds, although' Captain Heard doused his , spinnaker, when .two miles away from the finishing line^ . ' The . "Star's" yachting correspondent ' ' Comments:—-The first leg of the triangular course was on the wind. Shamrock-held ;to windward of Enterprise at the start, ■ but" Enterprise evidently sailed a little ' , ' ' closer,.for after only, 13. minutes' sailing she rwas able to-tack and cross clear ahead o£ Shamrock. In a series of cross tacks, .' Captain . Heard ',- evidently _ kept " : ;Mr. ■ Vahderbilt busy, watching.him, although ■ ,' once in 'the weather berth Enterprise held ' the winning position. Nearing . the first mark .Shamrock's - skipper, by making two . very quick tacks, - Grew clear . of" Entery ' . -priee, but the latter rounded the mark six nnhutes ahead. .The second leg'was a broad ■. • 'lead, with the wind light and variable, . ■ ■ Enterprise increasing her lead to 9m 10s. , . On the firial leg Snamrock" did better, only losing 395, but the'position was hopeless. To-day's race will be over the windward and-leeward course, with a beat one, way °f 15 miles. It is to be hoped that a stronger breeze prevails, as the first two , .races have been sailed in very light Weather. If Enterprise wins the next two • es ?he will , retain the, cup.