THE AMERICA'S CUP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22490, 6 August 1936, Page 10

THE AMERICA'S CUP

The Royal Yacht Squadron's challenge on behalf of Mr. Sopwith for the America's Cup is excellent news for the yachting fraternity and all friends of so fine a sport. It brings to mind more than the exciting contests of 193 d, when Mr. Sopwith's Endeavour won the first and second nices of that series, only to fail in the others; for it recalls also Sir Thomas Lipton, whose reputation as "a great loser" cannot easily be forgotten. Mr. Sopwith was understood in 1931 to say that he would not try again, but evidently something of Sir Thomas Lipton's unquenchable ardour has been inherited by him, and yachtsmen everywhere, even in the United States where the famous trophy is tenaciously held, will wish him luck. The challenging boat, having to "proceed under sail on her own bottom to the place" where the defender awaits the test of craftsmanship and skill, is at a disadvantage, and Endeavour 11. has been twice dismasted while racing since she was launched in June; but these misfortunes may serve to deepen her owner's determination to have all shipshape and in first-class order when she sets out. She will carry Britain's hope that a succession of defeats will at length be broken, and the classic trophy, dating from 1851, come home again. As prominent American sportsmen have said, this would make it the object of even greater vying to possess it. Yet they will not let it go without a struggle to the finish.