AMERICA CUP

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 977, 25 August 1903, Page 2

AMERICA CUP

THE FIRST HEAT.

LIPTON RETAINS FAITH IN THE SHAMROCK. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright New York, Aug. 23. Both yaohts started with baby jib topsails, but soon took them in, the wind freshening to between 12 and 17 knots.

The Reliance had the windward berth, and early blanketed the Shamrock, which held her own on the second tack, but in the next tack Reliance, pointing higher, obtained a substantial lead, and turned the mark 3min ahead.

The Americans were smarter in setting sails for tho run homo. Shamrock, having troubles with her jib, wasted several seconds-

The Reliance steadily increased her lead and it was apparent that the Shamrock was no match for her.

In running before the wind the yachts travelled so fast that they left many excursion boats and tugs hopelessly behind. The Reliance crossed the lime amid a perfect furore of syrens and whistles from the fleet of crowded Excursion steamers.

The winner took 3hrs 32min to complete the coursb. The Shamrock finished 9min later.

Sir Thomas Lipton, in an interview after the race, declared that his faith in the Cup challenger was unshaken. More wind would bring out the Shamrock’s strong points.

Sir Thomas added that the handling of the Reliance was simply perfect. Auckland, last night. The New Zealand Yacht Squadron has received the following via the Pacific cable, dated New York, August 22, 7.43 p.m.:—

11 At 8 a.m. the wind was blowing steadily from the south-west, at the velocity of 13 miles au hour. ■ Later the wind increased to 18 miles an hour.

11 At 8.25 the wind was softening. Shamrock has set her larger topsail. “ Shamrock crossed the line at llhrs 45min 17sec, Reliance at llhrs 46min 21sec a.m. The official time is 12.12 p.m. “ Shamrock appears to bo leading, but Reliance is slowly pulling up. " 12.20 p.m.—The boats are now on oven terms, both sailing fast. In the first half-hour they apparently covered nearly five miles. “ 12.30 ,pm.—Shamrock was in the windward position nearest the mark; Reliance still on tho Starboard tack. Shamrook changed to port at 12.30. “ 12.46 p.m. Reliance is gradually pulling up to windward of the Snamrock, cutting off the latter’s wind. “ 12.56 p.m.—Shamrock just tacked to starboard, right under the bows of Reliance. Tho race between the two boats is very close. “ 1.6 p.m.—Reliance has taoked to port, heading in shore. Shamrock remained on the starboard tack until a trifle to windward of Reliance’s wake, when she also went about.

11 1.25 p.m.—lt looks from the high lane as if Reliance is leading by about three l eighths of a mile.

“ 1.30 p.m.—Reliance is loading by nearly half a mile, an eighth of a mile to windward. It looks as though on this tack she will make the turning-mark. Both boats have set baby jib topsails. “ 2.13 p.m.—The boats have turned about four miles off the distance to finish, Reliance leading by about a mile. She apparently has the race well in hand. “ 2.20 p.m.—Reliance has a lead of five minutes, and barring accidents wins by a time lead of from six to eight minutes. “ 2.20 p.m.—The result is still uncertain. It looks as if the Shamrock has a fighting chance. About five miles to the finish. Reliance is about a mile and a-half ahead, but Shamrock is gaining slowly. “ Final: Reliance has won.”

The result was transmitted from Montreal to Auckland in two minutes via the Pacific cable.

Sydney, Aug. 24. The result of tho America Cup was received in two minutes at Adelaide from the time of its despatch at London.

A CRUCIAL TEST,

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Received 11.5 p.m., Aug. 24. New York, Aug. 24. Herreshoff, in the course of an interview, says that the Reliance will be put to a crucial test to-morrow in the reach to windward.

London, Aug. 24. A Reuter message states that a hundred thousand dollars has been promised in Canada towards the construction of a yacht with a view of challenging the America winner through the Halifax Club.