THE AMERICA CUP.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1889, 25 October 1913, Page 13

THE AMERICA CUP.

ONE OF THE SHAMROCK'S CREW,

AW OPTIMISTIO YACHTSMAN.

{By SMearnaph,— Special Correspondent.) • Auckland, October 24. Among the visitors to Auckland at present is Mr. Walter Marltß, of Sydney, one of {Tib best-known yachtsmen south of tho lino. He has come hero to make a ten-days' cruiso in tho yacht Viking over tho splendid yachting ground which stretches from Capo Corvillo to tho North Cape. Ho is accompanied by his chief mate for the last fifteen years (Mr. Walter Da]garnoJ"iul<!t Mr. Uro Smith. Mr. Marks will bo one of the racing crew of the Shamrock, which it is hoped will lift the America Cup next year. '"Some voeks back," observed Mr. Marks, when asked by a "Star" reporter about the.coming race, "I received a lettor from Sir Thomas Lipton, with whom. I had the honour of sailing in several races when I was last at Home. In it he montioned that he thought so much of tho sportsmanship of tlio Australians, that ho was endeavouring to arrange a berth for one in the racing crew of tho Shamrock IV, tho new challenger for tho America Chip. A few days later I got a cablegram intimating that h® had reserved a berth for me. Sir Thomas also asked me to bo present in May next for the "tuning up" races between the challenger and the present Shamrock, After these tests the challenger will be dismantled and fitted with ocean rig for tho trip across the Atlantio. It has been practically Bottled that I am to sail across in her, and T*am looking forward with intorost to tho voyage." Mr. Marks thought Sir Thos. Lipton had a bettfer ohance than ever before. Ho felt sure his designer, Chas. Nicholson, of Messrs. Camper and Nicholson, Goaport, would turn him out a fine vessel, inasmuch as boats of his design had come out top of tho list during the two last racing seasons in the 16-metre class, and also in tho largo 300-ton schooner class. "Personally," continued Mr. Marks, "I hold a very optimistic view of Sir Thomas Lipton's chances. The first reason for holding that view is that the famous American skipper, Charles Barr, who is really a Scotchman, who emigrated to tho States, is dead, and his place will undoubtedly be a most difficult ono to fill. So far as _ tho Shamrock herself is concerned, Sir Thomas has paid a liugo compliment to amateur yachtsmen throughout tho world by appointing as Miiplißr Mr. Burton, of Brittomart, Octaviii fame, who is I consider the greatest hand at-the tillor in the United Kingdom. Mr. Burton writes me that i£ Nicholson gives him a good craft ha will put up a great fight, but tho most essential point to my mind is the fact that tho yachts this time will bo, so far as wo know, of an equal size. That is to say, there will not bo any handicap between them. They will bo built under the rules of the New York Yacht Club, which will ensure a fine, wholesomo typo of boat.