THE AMERICA'S CUP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20669, 15 September 1930, Page 9

THE AMERICA'S CUP.

SHAMROCK V. BEATEN CEFEEIOER'S GOOD WIN. FAIR WIND FOE RACE. URGE CROWD PRESENT. POPULARITY OF LOSER. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received September 11, 5.5 p.m.) NEW YORK. Sept. 13. Tho first of the scries of races for Iho 'America's Cup, held off Long Island today, was won by the defending yacht Enterprise, which defeated Sir Thomas Lipton's Shamrock V. by 2m. 40s. There was an almost universal expres nion of sentimental support for the Shamrock and popular hopes were with tho challenger. However, Enterprise was « 2 to 1 favourite in the betting. Heavy fog and a light wind delayed the start until 11-55 a.m. Heavily-loaded excursion steamers and "an array of pleasure craft wero kept clear of the course by a cordon of destroyers and roast patrol vessels

The course was 15 miles to windward find then to leeward. Enterprise crossed the line first under mainsail, balloon and jib topsail. Shamrock was the first to break out her spinnaker and began to foot, faster. Enterprise broko out a spinnaker a minuto later. Both yachts boro away rapidly in a light wind, with Enterprise maintaining a slight lead. Enterprise Leads at Halfway. In ppito of troublo with her spinnaker, which rippled and wrinkled, and although her foot dipped into the sea occasionally, Shamrock, taking advantage of a favourable slant wind, pulled up,to the defender near the end of the first hour's sailing. After about eight miles had been covered in the first hour on tho starboard tack Enterprise regained her slight lead. She lowered her spinnaker, went over on the port tack and then immediately reset tho spinnaker. Captain Heard held Shamrock on the starboard tack, but a shift in tho wind forced him to drop the spinnaker and follow Enterprise, which under the freshening breeze went well and rounded the halfway mark at 2.3 p.m. Shamrock followed two minutes later.

Enterpriso was leading by 950vds. with about seven miles to go. Iler captain, Mr. Harold Yunderbilt, held a strategic position, as Enterpriso was far enough ahead to cross Shamrock's bow if another tack was necessary to fetch tho finishing line The headsails on Shamrock were fluttering, indicating an attempt to sail too close to the wind. American Captain's Sportsmanship. In the .constantly freshening breeze Enterprise continued to improve her position. She was estimated to be making 10 knots. Shamrock held the weather position near the finish, but she was outpaced. At the end the breeze failed rapidly en J Enterprise finished in an almost lifeless air. Her captain cruised up and down the line before finally putting his bow across, evidently as a sporting gesture to make the defeat seem less. Shamrock slipped across before the welcome to Enterpriso had died away and she was given perhaps a greater reception than tho winner. Enterprise completed the course in 4h 2in. 50s. rOPULAR SPORTSMAN. SIR T. LIPTON'S HOPES. GREAT INTEREST IN EVENT. (Received September 14, 5.5 p.m.) British Wireles3. RUGBY, Sept. 13. Enormous interest is being taken on both sides of the Atlantic in the series of races for tho America's Cup. Sir Thomas Lipton is 80 years old. He feels that he has now a better chance of success under the revised rules than ever before If,e is on his steam yacht Erin at Newport, Rhode Island. Sir Thomas is one of the most popular men in America, where his sportsmanship and perseverance have earned him affectionate regard. The conditions of the series of races provido for a timo limit for each race of hours. Captain Heard is at Shamrock's wheel and/Mr. Harold Vanderbilt, one of the syndicate of American .sportsmen who own Enterprise, is the defender's helmsman.