AMERICA’S CUP

Grey River Argus, 17 September 1934, Page 5

AMERICA’S CUP

OPENING RACE Proves Inconclusive (Aus. and N.Z. Gable Assn.) (Received September 16, at 7 p NEWPORT, September 16. The first race for America’s Cup was sailed to-day. The pace was not. however, finished within rhe time limit and w.i- therefore inc nclusive.

The American yacht, the Rainbow, is estimated to have had a lead ne’.r the finish of half & mile. The wind did not exleced nine knob 4 an hour during the race American Mile Ahead A CALM SPOILS THE EACE. (Received September 16 at 7 p.m.) NEWPORT. September 15. After five and a-half hours of splendid sailing by Mr Vanderbilt's yacht “ Rainbow,’ ’ when half a-mile from the finishing line, and a mile ahead of the “Endeavour.” she encountered a calm, which prevented the finishing of the race in the prescribed time, and therefore the race was declared no contest. The defender and challenger will meet again on Monday. At the start of to-day’s contest, there, was a seven-mile south-east breeze, but the sea was remarkably smooth. Handling the American, vacht as if i*t werle a toy in his hand. Mr Vanderbilt bleat the British yacht “’Endeavour” by a minute at the start, but Mr Sopwith came in. hot pursuit. Then there came a tack ng duel with Genoa jibs on large, single head-sails. The Endeavour’s crew could not when carried to the windward, sheet the Genoa jibs as fast as the Rainbow’s crew. With its great “coffee-grinder” winch to raise the Genoa sheet. ?n a hurry, the Rainbow gained an additional minute and 46 j seconds of a lead in the last four miles. In the calm, the craft drifted a httl’e. Mrs Sopwith sailed as time-keeper. She is the first woman ever li'sted as a member of a crew in the America’s Cup race. Later, she acted as observer of the Rainbow, anj she did her job well. A groat flotilla., including the “Notttrnahal. ” carrying President Roosevelt, watched the contest. The thirty-mi le wi'ndward and legward course was patrolled by coast guard cutters and, naval dost rovers.