American Yacht Wins The Fourth Race

Manawatu Times, Volume 59, Issue 223, 24 September 1934, Page 7

American Yacht Wins The Fourth Race

But Double-barrelled Protest Lodged by Mr Sopwith

English Boat The Better Bet Badly

Hamdied

United Press Assn—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Received Sunday, 7 p.m. NEWPORT, Sept. 22. The fourth race for the America’s Cup was won by the Rainbow by a margin of 7G seconds. Mr. T. 0. M. Sopwith hoisted the protest flag near the finish. Apparently the Rainbow, in passing the Endeavour to windward, failed to meet the latter’s luff, as required by the rules.

Grounds of Protest Not Published

Rainbow Won But Sopwith Tossed Race Away. As to the race itself, the yachting expert of the New York Times comments: “The Rainbow won after Mr. Sopwith had practically tossed the race away. It was a race which made yachtmen in. the fleet which followed the boats almost cry as they saw the errors into which the Endeavour was forced.” Endeavour the Faster Boat. The Times’ expert continued that she was the faster boat anil that she outfooted the Rainbow both to windward and in reaching, but she was beaten because she was mishandled. She outsailed tho Rainbow whenever she had the chance and was then beaten. Probable Basis of Protest. Tho probable basis of Mr. Sopwith’s protest, according to yachting experts, is an unsuccessful luffing contest in which, tho challenger’s skipper attempted to engage Mr. Vanderbilt. Tho Times’ Expert’s' version of the situation is as follows: “When Mr. Sopwith attempted to luff the Rainbow when the first mark had been turned, the Rainbow would not he luffed. The rule is that the hoat to leeward has the right to luff the boat to win'dward of her, or to throw her up into the wind in claim of right of way. If, should they come together, the leeward hoat would hit the windward one forward of her shrouds—that string down from her mast amidshops. I did not appear that the Endeavour was close enough to the Rainbow to have hit her forward of her quarter or as far back as her shrouds. | “Mr. Sopwith lodged his protest ' with the Race Committee to-night and it will hold the hearing, which must he decided quickly, after receiving evidence from both sides.” The Rainbow showed the benefits of an additional two tons of lead ballast added yesterday and the race to-day was tho best of the series. There were more clouds and intermittent glimpses of sunshine. Rainbow Secured Early Lead But Wind Changed Favouring British Boat. The Rainbow secured the better start, getting away 35 seconds before the challenger on the wind. She led almost all of tho first ten minutes or until the breeze shifted to east by south and knocked her “galley west.” With this breeze gift the Endeavour turned the first mark 23 seconds ahead. Then, on a close reach, the Rainbow sailed right around the challenger.

ALLEGED BREACH OF RACING RULES Received Sunday, 7 p.m. NEWPORT, Sept. 23. Though. Mr. Sopwith’s communication to the Race Committee has not been published, it was learned that Mr. Sopwith filed either two protests or a protest on two counts. One, that the Rainbow failed to meet the Endeavour’s luff; the other on the alleged failure of the defender in respect of the challenger’s right of way before the start. The Endeavour was close hauled on her course as she came about the first mark 23 seconds ahead of the Rainbow after the beat out from the starting line and the Rainbow failed to fetch the mark closely enough and had to go wide. When the Rainbow straightened out she was astern of the Endeavour by a slim margin. Racing Rules say that the overtaking boat lias no rights and must make way for the hoat ahead. Vanderbilt seemed to bear in on Sopwith, which was all right unless Sopwith had a move in the American’s direction. At about the same time, however, Sopwith decided to luff, or sail closer to the wind, this turning him in Vanderbilt’s direction. Should Have Given Way. Instead of giving way as the Rules call for, Vanderbilt seemed . to hold the Rainbow straight on the course he had chosen and for a moment there was danger of a collision and Sopwith had to fall off and slacken sails. When he straightened away again the Rainbow was off to a lead that never was relinquished. Vanderbilt is known in American yachting circles as a quick protester himself.

Vanderbilt Luffs Sopwith. On the broad reach of the finish, with sails eased off more, it was expected the Endeavour would be the better boat. She was and she almost caught the Rainbow but the latter luffed up ahead of the oncoming challenger, throwing her up some to check her speed and rush. It was a skilful manoeuvre and then the Rainbow bore off back on her course and made her last minute rush that was rewarded with victory.

First, Protest Since 1895. After Mr. Sopwith’s Endeavour had crossed the finish line one minute 15 seconds behind the Rainbow, the first protest flag to be flown in the America’s Cup series since 1895 lifted from the challenger’s port, shroud to mar the most exciting of the four contests, which leaves tho American and British contenders two races all unless Sopwith’s protest is granted, in which event the Endeavour will have a commanding three to one lead. Sopwith and Vanderbilt Noncommittal. Both Messrs Sopwith and Vanderbilt were noncommittal about, tho protest when interviewers boarded their respective cutters. “I prefer not to discuss the protest, ’ ’ Mr. Sopwith said. ‘ ‘ Obviously tlie Race Committee is entitled to receive it first and to make known its particulars. I do seriously think I have grounds for the protest and must fight it. Although I do not like to protest I really was forced to.” Mr. Vanderbilt said he had not the remotest idea of the basis of the protest and must await details before he could make a statement.