AMERICA'S CUP

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 89, 1 May 1937, Page 14

AMERICA'S CUP

BIG comw N JULY A GLANCE AT THE RULES. Great interest is being evinced by yachtsmen in the forthcoming contest between America and Great 'Britain for the America's Cup in July. It promises to be the keenest since the schooher Cambria crossed the Atlantic in quest of the trophy in 1870. As the result of a oohference between the Royal Yacht Club Of Great Britain and the Kew York Yacht Club the holders, America, will name their respresentative seven days before the first -race, which is to take place on July 31. The challenging yacht must be nominated 30 days before that date. Now, neither side will be tied down to a particular yacht until the dates indicated. ■ In the .old days a challehger had to name his vessel at the time of the challeftge at least 10 months' before racing commented,. giving her Customs House mdasurements. That meant he was tied'to a particular vessel that existed only ofa paper. Whether she proved a success or a failUre he was iiot allowed to substitute any other yacht to represent him. One-sided. The holders on the other hand, had tiie privilege of naming their defender at any time before the first race. They were consequently ih a position to build several yachts and choose tfie best of them as their champion after searching preliminary trials. It was a one-sided arrangement that did not enhance the sportihg spirit of the event. Under the new conditions the challengirig party can build several yachts and select the best. Botii sides are thus almost, but not quite, on terms of equslity in that rlspect, It seeins a pity that the New York Yacht Club, when making the concesslon,.did not "go the whole hog," and mak« the nomination date the same for both parties. New York Yacht Club can nominate Mr. Vanderbllt's new yacht, ' which, it is understood, will be named Ranger, Yankee or Weetamol, all of which are expected to eompote for the honour. This will add to the interest Of the conteii considerably, as on. both sides there will be strenuous racing for some months before the event to detenhine which vessel shall fill the roles of defender and ehallenger. '