Conditions Of Race.

Thames Star, Volume LXV, Issue 19211, 18 September 1934, Page 3

Conditions Of Race.

FOUR WINS NECESSARY. DETAILS OF CONTESTANTS. BRITISH YACHT'S PROSPECTS. Although Britain has been proverbially unlucky her prospects in her 13th. attempt to win the America’s ,Cup are brighter' than they have been for many years. The challenger is the new yacht Endeavour, which is sailed by her owner, Mr. T. 0. M. Sopwith. The defender is Rainbow, sailed by Mr. H. Vanderbilt, and owned by a syndicate of prominent American sportsmen. There will be a series of seven races and the cup will be awarded to the first boat to secure four victories. The conditions provide that the races shall be held on succeeding week days with one intervening day of rest if required. The course this year is in Block Sound, off Newport, with the starting and finishing lines nine, miles south-east of Brenton Reef Lightship. In 1930 this was proved a much .better course .than the old one off Sandy Hook, as there is much less traffic, the tides not so tricky, the winds are steadier and there is a safer haven with deeper water. - The • races are again alternating ones, the first being 15 miles to windward and leeward and the second round an equilateral triangle of. approximately 10 miles each side, If possible all starts in the triangular rapes will be made to windward, and the warning signal, 10 minutes before the start, will be given as iiear as practicable to 10.30 a.m, No race will be started after 12.30 p.m. *To prevent any possibility of a race developing into a drifting match the winning yacht must complete the jcottrse within five and a half hours. In the event of a tie, such as occurred between Resolute and Shamrock IV. in 1920, the race will be jresailed. If either of the boats is disqualified through any breach of rules the race will be awarded to the other yacht, irrespective of whether she completes the course. Yachts Described. Endeavour is a slightly bigger boat than Rainbow, being four feet longer overall and one foot longer on the waterline. The principal dimensions and particulars of the two boats, those of Rainbow being mentioned first, are: —Tonnage, 138, 143; overall length, 126.6 ft., 130 ft.; waterline length, 82, 83; beam, 21.9 ft., 22ft.; draught, 14.9 ft., lsft.; sail area, 7555 square feet, 7550 square feet. Both yachts represent the latest ideas in hull design and method of rigging. The rigging in particular shows a remarkable advance on those of former contestants for the cup. On both boats it has been evolved with the aid of aeronautical data, and Rainbow has a streamlined mast and chrome metal shrouds. i - Endeavour has given every indication of being an exceptionally fast boat, and, handled by Mr. Sopwith, a yachtsman of proved capabilities, she is confidently expected to make a bold bid for the trophy which has been in American hands for 83 years. Personnel of Crews. The two yachts represent the latest ideas of the best brains in tho yachting world of both countries, and are as complete as science and skill can make them in regard to sails, rig and design. Endeavour carries a crew of 22 men, all but four being amateurs, and an “afterguard” of seven or eight in addition. Mr. Sopwith has the assistance of his wife as timekeeper, also Mr. C. E. Nicholson, who designed the yacht, and Captain Williams, his professional skipper, who took her across to Newport. Mr. Vanderbilt has Sherman Hoyt and John Parkinson, two of the “afterguard” of Enterprise, winner of the last contest, also Mrs. Vanderbilt and the yacht’s designer, Mr. W. Starling Burgess, and a professional crew.