SECOND VICTORY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21910, 20 September 1934, Page 11

SECOND VICTORY

AMERICA'S CUP BRITISH YACHT'S SUCCESS IN LEAD AT EACH TURN JIB SAIL RIPPED HANDICAP OVERCOME By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright NEWPORT, Sept. 18 Although Endeavour won the second race of the America's Cup series to-day by the smaller margin of 51 seconds, her victory was even more impressive than that of yesterday. She set a new cup record for the 30-miles triangular course of 3h. 9m. Is. Endeavour also overcame the handicap of a torn sail and a slow start, in which Rainbow crossed the line ahead, but could not maintain her lead. The British yacht was ahead round each leg of the course, being 15 seconds in the lead on the first leg, which was sailed in a breeze that freshened from nine knots at the start, and was 89 seconds ahead at the second mark. Mr. H. Vaiulcrbilt, in Rainbow, managed to cut down this lead on the 10mile run home, but his craft was not fast enough to overhaul his opponent. Endeavour had all the hard luck, as, in addition to a torn jib and a late start, her crew lost control of her reaching jib as she rounded the first mark, and once more lost precious seconds at the 20-mile mark when sheeting in the big jib. The race, during its middle course, was sailed in a 14-knot breeze, which dropped down again to nine at the finish.

In spite of Endeavour's torn sail, a rent which grew more noticeable as the race progressed, Mr. T. 0. M. Sopwith apparently gambled on his canvas holding out for the duration of the contest. Another rent soon appeared, but Mr. Sopwith held on, only sending up his quadrilateral jib in stops, ready to break it out if the other gave way entirely. INITIAL SUCCESS ENTHUSIASM CREATED YACHT'S BUILDERS REJOICE British Wireless RUGBY, Sept. 18 The result of the first contest for the America's Cup on Monday caused enthusiasm on both sides of the Atlantic. Endeavour experienced difficulty in setting her mainsail before the race and a member of the crew was temporarily injured. The committee, however, sportingly consented to postpone the start. The general opinion is that Endeavour has a slight advantage in fresh breezes and Rainbow in lighter winds. The success of Endeavour was greeted with great rejoicing by the workmen who built her at Gosport. STERLING QUALITIES BRITISH CHALLENGER FASTER ON THE WIND The victory of Endeavour in the second race for the America's Cup has left practically no doubt as to the allround supremacy of the new British challenger over Rainbow in moderate breezes. The theory has been advanced that Rainbow was not America's best yacht to defend the cup as Yankee holds the course record. Endeavour's performance in this last contest in establishing the new record of 3h 9m Is is definite proof that the British yacht is faster than any craft the Americans have yet produced. This second race has also proved that Endeavour is faster than Rainbow on thp wind, a point which was still in doubt after the first contest. Althouirh no reasons are given it appears Rainbow got the better of the start, but on the beat to windward to the first mark she was overtaken. For Endeavour to have made up the leeway and finished the first leg of the course with a lead of 16 seconds both Mr. Sopwith and his crew must have acquitted themselves with honour.

Evidently it was on roundine the first mark that Endeavour's crew had trouble with their Genoa or large reaching jib. Although it is not definitely stated, it may be concluded that it was while the sail was temporarily out of control that it was ripped. The ripped sail may be the reason for the delay on roundine the second mark, as Mr. Sopwith would be nursing the jib in the hope that it would hold out for the next and final leg of the course. The fact that the quadrilateral jib was hoisted in stops goes further to indicate that it was the Genoa jib which was ripped, as this new type of sail is only used when off the wind.

In spite of the loss of time in settinz the jib Endeavour gained lm 14s on the second leg of the course, showing her superior speed on a broad lead for the first time. It is reported that the wind died away to nine knots, a "gentle breeze" according to Beaufort's scab, toward the end of the race, and this probably accounts for Rainbow reducing the lead to 51 seconds, as it appears to be the general opinion in England, according to private advices, that llainbow has a slight advantage in light winds.

The next race will be over a windward and leeward course similar to that sailed in the first contest. The decision, it seems, will rest with the strength of the wind providing that no accidents occur.