THE AMERICA CUP.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4505, 16 September 1930, Page 4

THE AMERICA CUP.

SfM'MEOOK V. DEFEATED FN F’iKiST WAGE. New York, Sept. 13. The Enterprise won the first race for the America Cup, beating Shamrock Y. by 100 sees. A heavy toy and light wind at Newport delayed the -skirt until 11.55. Heavily-loaded excursion steamers and an array of pleasure craft were held clear of the course- by a cordon of destroyers and coast patrol vessels. The course was fifteen miles windward. and leeward. The Enterprise crossed under mainsail, balloon and jibtopsail.

The Shamrock was first to break her spinnaker and began faster than the Enterprise, which broke out her spinnaker a minute later. Both bore away rapidly on the light wind with the Enterprise gaining a slight lead despite trouble with the spinnaker which ripped and wrinkled, a foot dipping into the sea occasionally. The Shamrock, Inking advantage of a favourable slant of wind, pnlfed up equal near the end (he first hour. Approximately eight miles were covered in the first hour on the slailboard lack. Then the Enterprise regaining a slight lead doused her spinnaker and went over on the port tack, immediately resetting her spinnaker. .Captain Head held the Shamrock on the starboard lack, but a shift in the wind forced him lo drop his spinnaker and follow the Enterprise which under a freshening breeze footed along rounding tiie half-way mark a>t three minutes past two. The Shamrock followed two minutes Inter. With a freshening wind veering eastward both dropped their balloons, breaking out baby .jiblopsails and staysails. Nearing the turn when the Enterprise had an act mil advantage of 127 seconds I lie Enterprise was leading by 1150 yards with approximately seven miles uncompleted. Captain Vanderbilt held a. strategic position its the Enterprise was far enough atieatl to cross the Shamrock’s hows it another hitch was necessary to letch the finish line.

The head sails of the Shamrock were fluttering, indicating an attempting to sail too close to the wind. With a constantly freshening- breeze the Enterprise continued to improve her position and it was estimated she was making ten knots.

The Shamrock held the weather position near the finish but was out-footed. The breeze failed rapidly, the Enterprise finishing in almost lifeless air.

Captain Vanderbilt cruised up and down the finishing line, before filially putting his bows across evidently as ;> sporting gesture to make the defeat seem less harsh. The Shamrock slipped across before the Enterprise’s welcome had died and if anything the Shamrock received a greater reception.

The Enterprise completed the course in 242 minutes 50 seconds. The Enterprise, wmi with the Shamrock 160 .seconds behind.

There is an almost universal expression of sentimental support for Sir Thomas Dipt on and the Shamrock and the popular hopes arc with the challenger. Conviction, however, favours the defender, Enterprise, which is a Iwo to one favourite in the betting.