Second America’s Cup Race Declared Void

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28699, 24 September 1958, Page 15

Second America’s Cup Race Declared Void

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

(Rec. 9 p.m.) NEWPORT, (xkhode Island), a Se P t - 23 - After yesterday's inconclusive race, which gave no real insight Into her heavy weather capabilities, the Sceptre, the British challenger for the America’s Cup, was hauled out for scrubbing and checking of gear today. She will resume her attempt to wrest the cup from the American defender, the Columbia, tomorrow. Columbia easily won the first race last Saturday for a 1-0 lead in the series of seven races.

The British crew’s decision to lay over today was in no way as a result of yesterday’s race, which was declared void when both the Sceptre and the Columbia failed to finish the 24-mile triangular course inside the time limit of five hours and a half. They had arranged last week to go to the slipways today.

The day’s lay-over will also give the Sceptre’s crew a chance to rest, after a long day. The predicted heavier weather did not come, although the Sceptre raised British hopes when she was first over the starting line and led by Imin 45sec at the first mark of eight miles. But she could not match the speed of the Columbia, which made up 2Jmin on the second leg, and the race again settled down to another dull session. The Columbia was seemingly well ahead when the race was stopped. The yachts took nearly three hours and a half to cover the first eight miles, and it soon became evident that they would never finish within the limit. Th J Sceptre’s best work came on the first leg to windward. After being first over the starting line, she lost her lead in the first two minutes, but had her moment of glory a little later.

Graham Mann, the helmsman, persisted with a Genoa, while the Columbia flew a spinnaker. The American yacht slowly drew ahead, while the Spectre was almost motionless.

Then, catching a “private” breeze, the Sceptre soared majestically past the Columbia. She broke out her huge herbulot spinnaker and, after a slight luffing contest, was first round the mark. Hooters and whistles sounded from the spectator fleet of some 800 craft ranging from luxury liners, destroyers, and a submarine, to small yawls, as the Sceptre raced into a big lead on rounding the marker.

A close race seemed in prospect, but the Columbia proved her superior speed to catch and pass the Sceptre halfway along the leg. Colin Ratsey, the assistant helmsman, said afterwards that what wind there was yesterday “was all over the place.” They had tried out their big Genoa-cum-spinnaker, but it was difficult to assess its usefulness, and they soon broke out a smaller Genoa. Tomorrow’s race will be over the same triangular course.