THE AMERICA'S CUP

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 217, 14 September 1936, Page 5

THE AMERICA'S CUP

ROYAL YAGHT SQUADRON'S CHALLENGE THE NEW ENDEAVOUR BEST CHALLENGER YET Announcement from Cowes (England, by the Associated Press, that the Royal Yacht Squadron has sent a challenge to the New York Yacht Club for a series of races for the America’s Cup in 1937 does not come as any surprise, says a writer in the Christian Science Monitor. Ever since Thomas O. M. Sopwith had his new Class J yacht, the Endeavour 11, built, it has been generally expected that he would send his second challenge for the famous trophy. Then, after the New York Yacht Club indicated to Charles F. Fairey, commodore of the Royal London Yacht Club, last year when he asked for a series of races with a boat of less rating than Class J thati-it did not want to race for the most famous yachting trophy of the world with any boat of lesser rating, it appeared even more certain that Sopwith would challenge.

One Condition Questionable

There is one condition mentioned as a part of the new challenge which may be questionable. It is the one that requests that the first race of the coming series be sailed on July 24. In the past the races for this trophy have been held in September or October'; but next year the ' challenger wants to have the event start about two months earlier. The question is as to whether the New York Yacht Club will care to agree to the earlier date. In the first place, it would bring the eveht up to a time when a number of important yachting events take place in United States waters, and a cup series would naturally overshadow them if they were to be held on their customary dates. And it is equally doubtful if those who take part in those races would care to have them moved up to an earlier date or moved back to a. later one.

Challenger Would Have an Advantage

Then, again, if this earlier date is accepted, the challenger will have a decided advantage over the defending yacht, especially if a new boat is to be built for the purpose of defending. Endeavour II would have a full year of testing by the time the 1937 races were to start, whereas a new boat could hardly have more than a month or two of testing before July 24. Of course, if the Rainbow, Weetamoe or Yankee were picked to defend, this handicap would not exist. There is, however, no question but what one or more new yachts will be built to try- for the honour of defending the “Ould Mug,” and two months would hardlv be enough time in which to Lest them out. Best Challenger Yet Judging from reports which have been, coming from England, the new Endeavour is the best yacht that has yet been named as a challenger for the America’s Cup. It has an all-steel hull, a high tensile steel mast, new and original design, and many novel gadgets. It has been built to the full Class J limit, and is expected to show more speed than did her predecessor. which was generally regarded as a better boat than Rainbow in 1934, but lost the series through not being so well manned. With this the case, it is very evident that the New York Yacht Club must seek a new and better yacht than Rainbow, Yankee or Weetamore if it is to keep that blue ribbon trophy of the seas in its home port.

Powerful Craft “A first instantaneous impression is that she will be a powerful craft in a good breeze and rolling sea,” writes Harold Nosslter, the well-known Australian yachtsman in the Sydney Referee, describing the Endeavour 11. “Mr. Charles Nicholson has designed for Mr. Sopwith’s second adventure a yacht which will undoubtedly race her bets in long rolling seas to be met with on the Cup race course off Newport, Rhode Island (U.S.A.). One of her most striking features is her long, powerful bow. and her fore sections_ give the impression of an easy triumph when breasting big seas. Built to Limit “The new Endeavour has been built to the limit of the J. class rule governing the America’s Cup races, that is, she measures approximately 87ft. on the waterline, with a beam of about 22ft.; a draught of about 22ft., and a probable displacement of 164 tons. These figures are necessarily approximate. Her exact measurements obviously remain jealouslyguarded secrets between her owner and designer. “In deciding to design Endeavour II to the limit of the J. class rule. Mr. Nicholson has shown a fine, reassuring courage, which in past practices always has added success to his creations. In this particular instance the designer has set himself the fascinating, if highlv exacting task of designing a racing yacht which must be more sneedv than his own masterniece, the first Endeavour, which is acknowledged on both sides of the Atlantic to be the fastest and most beautiful J. class craft In the world, vet be nearlv 20 tons heavier, but using onlv the same sail area.

“Being 4ft. longer on the waterline, the designer knows the new yacht will be definitely faster in a good breeze on all points of sailing. The suoreme * test wall be her relative sneed comnared with that of Endeavour I in light airs, in which the latter nroved herself so remarkably fast.”