AMERICA'S CUP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22796, 2 August 1937, Page 9

AMERICA'S CUP

THE FIRST RACE WIN FOR RANGER MARGIN OF 17 MINUTES LIGHT BREEZE MARS EVENT By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received August 1, 0.30 p.m.) NEW YORK. July 31 The first of the series of yacht races for the America's Cup was sailed to-day at Newport, Rhode Island, between Mr. Harold Vanderbilt's Ranger and Mr. T. 0. M. Sopwith's Endeavour 11., the British challenger. Screaming sirens from boats bearing 50,000 watchers saluted Ranger as she crossed the finishing line 17m 5s ahead of Endeavour 11. It was the biggest margin in an America's Cup race for 50 years. Critics acknowledge that Mr. Sopwith sailed his craft courageously, but say he was no match for Mr. Vanderbilt's magnificent helmsmanship. However, they are reserving judgment as to Endeavour's capabilities, which they agree have not been truly tested yet by the conditions. The absence of wind to-day necessitated two postponements of the start. The light breeze eliminated the possibility of spectacular sailing and even raised a doubt that the yachts would finish within tlie time limit. AVindwa.rd and leeward races must be completed in 5 hours 30 minutes and triangular races in 5 hours. %

Ranger took the windward berth from the start and led in the first minutes. Endeavour 11., in spite of desperate tacking, slipped steadily back. Ranger was a mile ahead at half way, where Endeavour 11. turned badly. After that Ranger could only have been defeated by a miracle. The race finished in a dense fog, in which Endeavour 11. was invisible, thus eliminating the last possibility of a thrill.

Ranger's elapsed time was 4h 39m 30s —the slowest since 1929. EXCITEMENT INTENSE THE HARBOUR CROWDED KEEPING THE COURSE CLEAR (Received August 1, 0.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, July 31 In what might be called the prelude to the America's Cup race Endeavour I. yesterday continued her surprising performances of defeating Rainbow by 45s over a course of 20 miles. The excitement was intense for today's contest. The harbour was crowded with yachts from all parts of the world, and a number of battleships and six divisions of coastguard vessels. The whole of the coastguard fleet patrolled the course and would not allow vessels carrying spectators within 1000 yards of the starting point and within 2000 yards astern. % Mr. Harold Vanderbilt, skipper of the defending yacht, yesterday parried questions regarding the race. "You know more about it than I do," ho said.

Mr. T. O. M. Sopwith, the challenger, expressed confidence in Endeavour 11. Ho said she was faster than Endeavour I. He was anticipating a good match. Mr. Sopwith said he wanted to be left quietly alone and to get through with his job as soon as possible. Each race is over a • course of 30 miles. The first was to windward and leeward, eaqh leg being 15 miles. The second will be over an equilateral triangle and the other races will alternate.

Mesdames Sopwith and Vanderbilt are accompanying their husbands in the races. Mrs. Sopwith will be timekeeper and Mrs. Vanderbilt keeper of the log.

It is reported among the British contingent of yachting enthusiasts that -Mr. Sopwith probably will bo knighted if he wins the Cup.

It is an open secret that considerable coldness exists between Messrs. Vanderbilt and Sopwith as the result of the previous dispute over technical details, and it is expected that both will be keyed up to the limit. Each; took his sloop out for a final spin yesterday. Banger continues to be favourite for the Cup, but the odds for the first race were only 3 to 2 against 5 to 2 for the series.