RAINBOW WINS

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 306, 22 September 1934, Page 7

RAINBOW WINS

Third America’s Cup Contest UNEXPECTED RESULT Endeavour Loses Advantage on Home Run By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright Newport, September 20. In a blaze of sunlight over a blue carpet of ocean the Rainbow came through to-day to win the third America’s Cup race. The defender’s margin was 3min. 26sec. at the end of a 30-mlle stretch of water, half a mile separating her from the Endeavour. It was one of the most unexpected results ever attained in an America's Cup race. Half-way over the course the Endeavour had a lead of Gmln. 39sec., and the Rainbow appeared hopelessly beaten. Suddenly she began to move. With 11 miles to go, she crept up and passed the challenger. The Rainbow made up the disadvantage of 1100 yards in six miles. She found a favourable slant of wind, far off the course. The Endeavour’s captain, Mr. Sopwith, desperately tacked, but only lost more ground, as his part-professional, part-amateur crew were slow in handling the canvas. After the Rainbow crossed the line am' the blue-hulled yacht drew up alongside, the Endeavour’s crew cheered the winners. After the race Mr. Sopwith requested the committee to start the races later in order to get a better advantage of the afternoon wind. This was taken under advisement, but would probably not be granted, as the days are getting shorter. To-morrow was declared a holiday at Mr. Sopwith’s request. The next race is on Saturday. INCIDENTS OF RACE Endeavour Held in Light Airs (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, September 20. To-day’s race for th'-- America’s Cup was set over a course fifteen miles to leeward and return. With only a fiveknot wind blowing from the north-east the conditions were believed to favour the American defender, the yacht Rainbow, which likes light airs. The yachts crossed the line abreast, with the Endeavour in the windward berth and the British challenger soon established a slight lead. This she steadily increased, despite the efforts of the Rainbow to get between her and the wind. Her lead of about 100 yards half an hour after the start was lengthened in the next hour to almost 1000 yards, although the breeze lessened somewhat. The Endeavour rounded the mark 2hr. 22sec. after the start, 6min. 23sec. ahead of the Rainbow. About this time the wind backed to the south-east, giving the yachts a broad reach on the homeward beat A change of fortune then occurred, and on the beat home the Rainbow slowly reduced the Endeavour’s lead, eventually overtaking her and leading. She was then leading by half a mile, but there seemed a possibility that the time factor would come into oj>eration, but the Rainbow forged ahead and eventually won with a margin of 3min. 26see.

The Endeavour had been held in light airs while the Rainbow kept a steady breeze, but although the challenger shortened the distance toward the end the Rainbow crossed the line ahead of her.