Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, JULY 31, 1937. THE AMERICA’S CUP.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 248, 31 July 1937, Page 6

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, JULY 31, 1937. THE AMERICA’S CUP.

The forthcoming contest for the America s Cup —important as is its place among sporting events —holds its interest for New Zealanders owing to the examples of British determination that it has produced. The challenge made by Mr Sopwith brings to mind more than the exciting contests in 1934 when the Endeavour I. won the first and second races of the series only to fail in the others. It recalls the memorable perseverance of Sir Thomas Lipton, who will long be remembered as "a great loser.” The America s Cup was originally won at Cowes, Isle of Wight, from a fleet of English craft in 1851 by the schooner America, sent over from the United States, and was presented by the owner of the winning vessel, Commodore Stevens, to the New York Yacht Club as a perpetual trophy for international racing. Nineteen years elapsed before a challenge was received, and it was not until 1899, when the American representatives had vanquished nine challengers, that Sir Thomas Lipton entered the arena. Five times did he attempt to gain the coveted trophy, the last attempt being with Shamrock V. in 1930. Then Mr Sopwith took up the task with the Endeavour. When defeated, Mr Sopwith was understood to say he would not try again, but evidently something of Sir Thomas Lipton’s unquenchable ardour has been inherited by him, and yachtsmen everywhere, even in the United States where the famous trophy is tenaciously held, will wish him luck. The challenging boat, having to 'proceed under sail on her own bottom to the place” where the defender awaits the tests of craftsmanship and skill, is at a disadvantage, and Endeavour 11. narrowly escaped disaster while on the voyage across the Atlantic. But these ? handicaps serve to deepen her owner s determination to have all shipshape and in firstclass order when she sets out. She will carry Britain’s hope that a succession of defeats will at length be broken, and the classic trophy come home again. As prominent American sportsmen have said, this would make it the object of even greater vying to possess it. Yet they will not let it go without a struggle to the finish.