Interest in America's Cup Contest

Manawatu Times, Volume 59, Issue 222, 22 September 1934, Page 13

Interest in America's Cup Contest

INSUFFICIENT WIND FOR CONTEST ON WEDNESDAY

(British Oflicial Wireless.) RUGBY, Sept, 19. Immense interest is being taken on both sides of the Atlantic in the America's Cup yacht races, and the two initial successes of Mr. T. 0. M. Sopwith’s challenger, the British yacht Endeavour, in the series of seven contests, in which four wins determine the holder of the America’s Cup, raised great hopes among British supporters of another victory today. Today’s contest was to be over a windward and leeward course and the weather forecast was so far moderate north and north-west winds, with clouds. There was great disappointment when, later in the day, owing to the absence of sufficient wind to enable the Race Committee to determine a windward or leeward course, the third race of the scries in the contest for the America Cup had to be postponed uutil tomorrow.

Second Victory Almost Too Thrilling PRESIDENT’S TRIBUTE (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Sept. 19. The British yacht Endeavour’s second victory in the series of races for the America’s Gup was accomplished in a true breeze of moderate strength. It was such an exciting race that some enthusiasts described it as too thrilling for enjoyment. The British challenger led from the start, but the advantage became precarious when her Genoa jib, which had been borrowed, caught on a staynail hank and was torn.

Nevertheless, after a ten miles ruu to seaward the Endeavour, despito the clover handling of the Rainbow, roundod the mark ffiiO yards ahead. The loss of the Genoa jib handicapped the Endeavour on the homeward run, for the Rainbow, with her own Genoa jib set, shortened the lead, but the British craft, with water foaming at her bows, raced first past the finishing mark some 45 seconds ahead of the Rainbow. Both yachts beat the previous record, the Endeavour’s time being 2 hours 50 minutes 40 seconds.

President Roosevelt, who has been a keen and expert spectator of both events, last night said that ho had never seen two closer or better-sailed races in any cup series, lie was also to have watched today’s race, but would then have to return to his summer residence.

(Nowhere docs the news of the Endeavour’s two successes give greater

satisfaction than among the yachtbuilding community of Portsmouth and the Islo of Wight. The workpeople of Compel' and Nicholson’s yard at Gosport, who built the Endeavour, have assembled there to hear the broadcast commentaries on both races and large crowds gather in those towns to await the results.

Yachts Challenged PISHING PLEET CHAMPION. QUEBEC, Sept. 19. Captain Angus Walters, of the Bluenose, the unbeaten champion of the Nova Scotia fishing banks, has declared his readiness to race either tho Endeavour or the Rainbow for the America’s Cup.