AMERICA CUP

Gisborne Times, Volume LIII, Issue 5536, 19 July 1920, Page 5

AMERICA CUP

THE FIRST RACE.

SHAMROCK’S WIN

THE UNFORTUNATE MISHAP TO RESOLUTE.

United Press Association— t ’'*ryr>ubt> NEW YORK, July 15. At the start of the yacht race - ten knots south-westerly breeze was blowing. Ten minutes later rain killed the breeze. This was followed by a heavy squall, almost amounting’ to a cloud-burst, accompanied by lightning.

At 1.15 p.m. both yachts were offshore on the starboard tack in a sixknot breeze. * Resolute was half a mile iii the lead, slightly to windward. After an boar and a half six miles had been covered. At 1.43 p.m. Resolute’ was slowly increasing the lead. Shamrock came about to starboard, and followed in her wake. At 2 p.m. Resolute was half mile ahead. Ten miles out the wind veered to the westward.

When the yachts pointed for the turning mark . the sea then became flat and the air dead. Resolute handled her sails better than Shamrock. Resolute was surprisingly better in the light air, her footing being faster, When four and a half minutes ahead Shamrock lost half a mile on the-inshore tack. Off Long Branch she heeled oyer in a rain squall. The American yacht, picking up first every puff of wind, increased her lead. Resolute held up better to the mark, going fast on the port tack. Then an accident happened to the gaff, which fell half down, and Shamrock passed her. Shamrock covered the course in four hours twenty minutes.—A. and N.Z.C.A.

NEW YORK. July 15. Shamrock got away with a bad start, crossing the line before the signal and having to recross, thus giving Resolute a lead of 200 yards, which was quickly increased to 300. Shortly afterwards tropical rain began to fall, and the breeze fell to the faintest south-west breath.

The official starting time was: Resolute, 12hrs Omin 40sec.; -Shamrock, 12hr Imin 38sec. Shamrock concedes Resolute six minutes forty seconds. This change is duo to a re-measure-ment.

Before one o’clock a fog from windward made the conditions W'orse. Shamrock’s backers declared her getaway the worst ever made by Sir Thos. Lipton’s challenger. They were plainly discouraged.—A. and N.Z.C.A

SHAMROCK LEADING WHEN FOG

DESCENDED

LIPTON’S SPORTING OFFER

WILLING TO LET RACE NOT COUNT.

(Received July 18. 5.5 p.m.} NEW YORK. July 1

It ig now revealed that when the fog descended, the Shamrock was leading the Resolute but the captain lost his bearings and headed inshore, while the Resolute luckily headed seawards. gaining a lead. Viewing the race from bis steamer Sir Thomas Lipton’s emotions fluctuated like a barometer, and when the accident occurred to he Resolute he did not know whether to be glad or sorry. He said: “I would rather not accept a victory due to an accident or a fluke. If tlyyv want it not to count I will agree with them.” Sir T. Lipton was very disappointed at the weather and remarked that the Shamrock needed a steady strong breeze. It is recalled that Sir Thomas Lipton’s Shamrock I. in the 1899 regatta was compelled to withdraw from the second race owing to an accident similar to that to the Resolute.—A. and N.Z.C.A.