THE YACHT RACE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160711, 26 July 1920, Page 9

THE YACHT RACE.

THE FOURTH HEAT HOW RESOLUTE WON. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. NEW YORK, July 23. Fog delayed the start. The course was set to windward from Ambrose Channel lightship, south-south-west down the New Jersey shore, and a reach east by north out to sea, another reach back to the lightship. A light variable five-knot wind was blowing. The Resolute crossed at Ihr 1m 31sec, and the Shamrock at Ihr 1m 56sec. At 1.11 the Resolute led by quarter of a mile. The Shamrock crossed four seconds before the expiration of the two minutes allowed after the signal. The Resolute was steadily drawing ahead during the first hour, heading inshore at 1.10. The Resolute's sharp bow lifted better through the rolling sea. The first turn was made by the Resolute in 2hr 34m 47eec, and by the Shamrock in 2hr 36m 58sec. At 1.20 the Resolute was pinching out to the weather, and the Shamrock forereaching. The wind hauled south, putting the Resolute a quarter of a mile windward, where she was almost able to lay for the first mark. At 1.30 the wind was eight knots, south-south-west. The Resolute, half a mile to the windward, was going faster, the Shamrock seeming soggy. Both were standing inshore to gain advantage of the tide. The Shamrock tried to pinch out along the edge of the wind, doing better. At 1.50 a small baby topsail was helping the Shamrock. The wind was six knots. At 2.5 the Shamrock came about, heading off shore. At 2.7 the Resolute crossed the Shamrock’s bovtf and came about on the starboard tack and planted squarely on the Shamrock’s quarter. At 2.20, three miles from the mark, the Resolute was leading by a quarter of a mile. At 2.45, three miles out on the second leg, the Resolute was leading. The Resolute turned the second mark at Sly 25m 49sec, and the Shamrock at 3hr 27m 16sec. At 3.15 the wind was squally. The yachts were four miles from the lightship. The Shamrock passed the Resolute three miles from the finish. The Resolute again led half a mile from the finish of the second leg. The wind was fifteen knots and drove the boats through a shower of spray. The Shamrock very slowly gained. The speed of the boats was remarkable, averaging close on twelve knots. On the third leg the wind was eighteen knots, and the yachts tore along. The Shamrock was unable to carry her big reaching jib topsail. It was not replaced. At 3.41 a black squall made the Shamrock haul down her topsail. At 3.51 the squall passed, and the wind was north-west. The Resolute was leading by a quarter of a mile. Four miles from the finish the Resolute tacked, forcing the Shamrock about. At 4 o’clock both were becalmed. The relative positions were unchanged at 4.15. The Shamrock caught a south-west breeze first, and set her working topsail and big jib, and began to reach by the Resolute. At 4.16, three miles out, both were reaching'for the finish on the port tack Top sails were set. The Shamrock, to weather, was slightly ahead. The Resolute closed up within a mile of the finish, taking the lead. Elapsed time: Resolute 3hr 37m 52sec; Shamrock 3hi41m lOsec. The Resolute hauled down her jib topsail and won by 9 minutes 58 seconds The Resolute finished at 4hr 39m 25scc, and the Shamrock at 4hr 43m 6scc. TWO WINS EACH. Reuter. NEW YORK, July 23. The yacht race position is: Best three of five heats decides. Each has won two heats so far. 'The final will be sailed on Saturday. The first heat was won by the Shamrock; the second was abandoned; the third was won by Shamrock; the fourth and fifth were won by the Resolute. OTHER RACES PROPOSED. It is understood that in the event of the Shamrock winning the Cup, the New York Yacht Club is prepared to challenge the Royal Yacht (fclub for a series of races with 115-foot schooners. THE SHAMROCK INJURED. NEW YORK, July 23. The New York Times’ Highlands (New Jersey) correspondent interviewed Skipper Burton, who said the after-deck of the Shamrock was torn from the fastenings during the third race, hut it had nothing to do with the result. It was due to the strain of the mainsail on the blocks at the stern. The mainsail was Too closely hauled. The deck has been repaired. INTENSE INTEREST IN AMERICA. ' NEW YORK, July 23. Interest in the America Cup races reached the highest point here to-night. Experts agree that both vessels have made a good showing, and do not wish to prophesy the result of the final race. Sir Thofhas Lipton stated: “If we don’t win this important race to-morrow it won’t be because we did not bring the best talent from Britain. My crew did its very best. It want to see the best boat win, and I am very hopeful.” RESOLUTE WINS FIFTH HEAT. NEW YORK, July 24. The Resolute won the fifth test heat of the America Gup. By "VICTOR.” Tire cables published on page 5 in reference to Ihe America. Cup races, 1 akpu in conjunction with the above, clears up the confusion as to the actual position. It is now known that both boats have won two heats, and that the final will be sailed to-day. It wa3 owing to the second heat being called off that the confusion arose, as subsequent messages spoko of the 3rd, 4th and sth heats, counting the second as a heat although it was really no race. However, what made the confusion worse were the cables dealing with the second (or third) heats, in which the Shamrock was first reported to have won, and then to have lost on time allowance, tough tho times mentioned pointed to Shamrock having won notwithstanding the later cables, which stated that Resolute had been awarded the race. Apparently, Shamrock did win the second race which counted, and Resolute got the next on time allowance, winning again on Friday. The proposal made in New York yachting circles that the time allowance should be abolished in future races provided Loth boats are boilt within certain limits has much to commend it. There is no question that the sporting value of the races would be enhanced if this proposal were carried into effect. The idea of a time allowance in such a contest is antiquated, neither boat should be asked to give the other an allowance in a championship race.