YACHTING

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1611, 14 January 1903, Page 53

YACHTING

Sir Thomas Lipton, the challenger for the Cup. said to a newspaper reporter in London recently: "I feel that I have a better chance to lift the cup this time than ever before.” When asked. "Has

Watson something new tip his sleeve to knock out Herreshoff ?” Lipton smiled and answered. “That will be for the race itself to decide.

“Will the races be sailed early in September ?” be was asked. “Well, I will have to wait to hear vhat the New York Yacht Club gays/’ ae replied. “The chtllenge is in such a :orm that there can be no controversy. Nobody else is interested m tne cnaiwith me. I waited to give everydy a chance to challenge, but nobody Same forward. I can’t say what dlerreshoff will produce in the new defender, but I can say if I were offered a choice between Shamrock 11. and Columbia I would take the Columbia as the best all-round boat. I would not have challenged this year unless .L thought I had a better boat than Shamrock II.”

A despatch to the “New York Journal” from Glasgow says: —“Sir Thomas Lipton’s third challenge for the America Cup is purely a formal document from the Royal Ulster Yacht Club, and contains no details. The challenger will be a cutter, with an estimated water line of 90 feet. Fife declines to discuss the desivn. Intimate friends say, however, that Shamrock 111. i 9 a typical Fife boat, but more powerful than Shamrock 11. and bigger looking. Watson and Fife consulted together occasionally, but the statements that they collaborated on the design are inaccurate. Their meetings were merely to exchange ideas, and obviously neither designer is likely to be influenced 1 by the other’s views. Active work on the construction of the challenger by the Dennys has not yet begun. The yacht’s lines, however, have been laid down in the loft, working drawings made, the shed cleared and blocks laid. The Shamrock 11. was launched a month late, but by the time the New York acceptance of the challenge arrives the Dennys expect to have work on the steel body of Shamrock 111. well forward, and the work subsequently Will be rapid. The yacht will be ready lor trial early next spring. The Hendersons, builders of the Thistle and. both Valkyries, assisted the Dennys to rig Shamrock 11.. but Fife’s own men from Fairlie will rig Shamrock 111. throughout. Shamrock I. will probably be the Irial yacht. Clyde Bevis. of Southampton, will steer the 1899 challenger, and Captain Wringe the other boat. The pick of Bristol racing sailors have already been engaged to man the boats. Further trials may take place in New York with Shamrock 11., but Clyde yachtsmen are doubtful, as refitting of Shamrock 11. woud entail a big expense. It is a matter of money only, and Upton is as generous as a prince.”