AMERICA CUP

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 251, 17 July 1920, Page 7

AMERICA CUP

CHALLENGER WINS FIRST RACE DEFENDING YACHT DAMAGED By Telegraph-Prcsß AsßOciatlon-OopyrleM New York, July 15. Sir Thoniaß Lipton's yacht Shamrock IV woa the first of tho three races for the America Cup. The defender, Rtsoluto, parted her throat halyards half a mile from the turn, and withdrew. Shamrock IV had passed tho Resolute when the latter's mainsail collapsed. The Resolute received a time allowance ot Twin, loses, on account of the' ■Shamrock's greater size. The' Shamrock was fitted with a new "streamlino" sail between the mainsail aud the isast, giving her additional sail area. The Shamrock took a trial spin with the additional sail, and the skipper, Burton, stated that he was very well satisfied with the yacht's performance. The Resolute can easily be repaired for Saturday's race (the second of the st-i'ics.)—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assu.

I (Rec. July IT, 0.20 a.m.) New York, July 15. 'the Rcsolute's time allowance was reduced to 6 minutes 40 seconds. The weather was very satisfactory.—Aua.-N.15. Cable Assn. It is now nearly seven years since the trophy was last raced for. The quest) of the Cup lias been Sir Thomas lap-' ton's hobby for over twenty years. lt> was in 1838 that his first 'challenge wasaccepted. It came as somewhat of a surprise tp yachtsmen generally as, owing to the unfortunate dispute which followed Lord Duuraven's last contestin 1805, it looked as though a long period -would elapse ere another British challenger came forward. Sir Thonids Lipton was not known in yachting- circles when that unfortunate incident arose, and his olmllenge and- its acceptance did .much to restore the good relations winch had formerly existed between yachtsmen of the two countries.. His first contest took place in 1899. His vessel was Shamrock I, which was decisively beaten by Columbia. In the following year ho waa ready with another challenge, and Shamrock II was built for the races, which took.place in 1901. She had the same boat, Columbia, opposed to her as hud beaten Sir Thomas Lipton in 1899, and ho came very near victory, losing one race by Msec, only on time allowance. This was tho second time in the history of cup racing that a challenger had finished actually first. The next, year found him ready with anotliier challenge, and tho race was arranged for 1903, when again his boat, Shamrock 111, suffered defeat from Reliance.

Vmt lengthy negotiations ensued before his fourth challenge was accepted chiefly owing to the fact' that, in it, ho asked that tho contestants should be built under fTie existing rule of measurement in America. Tho rating rule for racing yachts had been altered in both countries. and it was contended that iu n, race of such importance the contesting craft should bo representative- of existing types of yachts. Tho challenge was eventually arranged for 1914, but the contest was not held owing to the outbreak of war..

These successive contests havo cost (i moderate fortune. Each boat has represented an expenditure of ninny thousands of pounds, and then there have been incidental expenses. Sir Thomas Upton has shown indomitable pluck in sticking to it in face of so many reverses, and, even apart from the defeats, he bad had none of the best of luck. The serious accidents alouo would have had a depressing influence on some men. _ The present challenger met with no mishaps during her trials in British waters in 19U. She ivas submitted to a very careful and gradual tuning up, and all her gear stood. The races arc being sailed over the Sandy Hook course, in deference to the challenger's wishes.

A point of particular interest in the contest is tlio selection, of an amateur skipper for the challenger. Mr. W. P. Burton will carry with him the confidence of all yachtsmen in this country says the London "Observer"). Ho has a finp record. He has owned fifteen yaehta of various types nnd sizes, including fivo in the 52ft. and 15-metre classes, which always provided the keenest racing His last vessel was Oclavia in the 19-metre class. He always sailed his boats himself, and has taken part in over a thousand races in yachts of his own. In addition to being an excellent helmsman, he alwavs inspires confidence in his crew, which is always carefully selected. AH other things equal, it would be an exceptionally olever skipper and smart crew that would beat him in tho handling of ft boat.