Fourth Big Defeat For Britain’s Sovereign

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30553, 23 September 1964, Page 19

Fourth Big Defeat For Britain’s Sovereign

(If .Z.P. A.-Reuter—Copyright)

NEWPORT, September 22.

The United States retained the America’s Cup yesterday when Constellation scored her fourth successive victory over Sovereign.

The British yacht’s dismal series of defeats were by margins of smin 34sec (first race), 20min 24sec (second), 6min 33sec (third) and 15min 40sec (yesterday).

It was another humiliating defeat for Sovereign in 12-15 knot breezes and long, rough swells. Sovereign lost the best-of-seven series, 4-0— as overwhelming a defeat as Sceptre’s in 1958. Once again the blue hulled challenger was outmatched by

Constellation in sailing to windward—ss per cent of the 24.3-mile Olympic-style course. Sovereign Recalled Her problems were compounded by the helmsman, Peter Scott, going over the starting line three seconds early, being recalled by the committee boat, and having to restart almost a minute behind. She hung on for five minutes, but then fell further and further back. Sovereign again appeared to have more problems with the seas than Constellation’s powerful, knife-like hull. At a press conference later, Scott said that Constellation was a super boat superbly sailed.

“I’m bitterly disappointed that Sovereign didn’t make a better showing. I don’t know how much of this was due to me not coming up to scratch. Compass and Speedometer “Any fault in sailing was mine and I. don’t intend to dodge it. The over-all combination of material and human factors turned Sovereign out to be a substantially slower boat.” A questioner quoted reports by British yachting correspondents criticising Scott for taking too scientific an approach. Scott said that the only instruments he used were a compass and a speedometer.

Bob Bavier, helmsman of Constellation, broke in: “I think this criticism of Peter is baloney.” Sovereign’s owner, Mr Anthony Boyden, added: “1 think Peter is the best helmsman we have in England for this type of race. I hope this is the end of all rather ungentlemanly suggestions to the contrary.” Sail Restriction “Fair” Boyden admitted he had underestimated the opposition. “If I were to do it again, I would set the sights much

higher and if we did not achieve these aims I would not challenge. We would need at least six years to get up to and pass American standards.” Boyden said he considered the New York Club’s restriction prohibiting challengers from using American sails and gear to be “entirely fair.”

“The America’s Cup is peculiar in that it represents the best that an individual in a country can do with what is available in that country.” Australian Challengers

When the America’s Cup races resume in 1967, it is likely Australia will be the challenger, United Press International reported. The Australians advised the New York Club they would like to try again as soon as Constellation crossed the finish line yesterday. Sir Frank Packer, the Australian publisher who financed Gretel in a losing America’s Cup cause two years ago, let it be known that he was ready to try again. There were reports in Newport that there would be a second challenge—also from Australia. It was expected to come from Mr Otto Meak, an Australian industrialist.