YACHTING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 81, 6 April 1934, Page 8

YACHTING

THE AMERICA’S CUP CONCESSION TO BRITAIN. Much surprise has been caused in American yachting circles by the announcement that the New York Yacht Club has voluntarily surrendered one of the greatest advantages it has held over 60 years in the races for the America’s Cup, says (he London Daily Telegraph. New regulations governing the races starting off Newport, Rhode Island, on September 15 next, issued by the America’s Cup committee, have been agreed to by the Royal Yacht Squadron. The principal change from the past is:—“T’he challenger shall have the right Io substitute another yacht for that named in the challenge, provided notice is filed with the defending club 60 days before the first race.” This is an innovation, and was, it is slated, suggested not by tho British, but by the New Y’ork club. Hitherto, the Americans have had the advantage of being able to build several boats and not name the defender until one week before the races, whereas the British had to pin their hopes to one boat named 10 months in advance. From the practical standpoint (hero is one catch in the new rule, as a member of the New York club pointed out. Should Air. T. O. M. Sopwith's Endeavour fall short of expectation, the only British boat likely to prove superior is Mr. \V. L. Stephenson’s Velsheda. which is not registered with the Royal Yacht Squadron. To qualify ns challenger, Velsheda would have to be bought or chartered by a member of the squadron more than 60 days before the race. The series will be the best four ol seven races, the starting post nine mi lee south-west of Brenton’s Reef lightship, on open sea. ns in 1930. The races will be over a 30-mile course, racing daily except Sundays, unless cither contestant request.-, an oil’ day after any rave. The only other important new rule slate-; that if cither yacht is disabled in a race the <*t> -must finish the course. K