THE AMERICAN CUP.

Motueka Star, Volume I, Issue 10, 13 September 1901, Page 4

THE AMERICAN CUP.

A RETROSPECT OF PAST RACES

The Shamrock 11. is shortly to make the eleventh attempt to carry off the American Cup from the United States. This trophy has now been fifty years in the possession of the New York Yacht Club, one yacht after another having failed against the Americans.

The first race was held in connection with the Crystal Palace Exhibition, and was arranged by the Royal Yacht Squadr on at Cowes, which offered a prize to he competed for amongst all nationalities. The only foreign competitor came from America, which at that time was the greatest shipbuilding country in the world. The yacht America came in eighteen minutes before thr fastest of the fifteen English schooners arid cutters. The prize cup was then presented by the winners to the New York Yacht Club as a perpetual’challenge cup for friendly competition between foreign countries. So far ouly England, Canada, and Scotland have disputed America’s pre-eminence,

In 1870 the Cambria, one of the finest English schooners of her time, challenged, and sailed against u fleet of twenty-four yachts, but came in only eighth.

Next year the Sironia competed in five races, each time against a. single yacht. The defenders, however, lrad privilege each day of choosing whichever one of their boats best suited the weather, so tiiat it is not su'rprising tlie Siroua was defeated four times cut of five.

Canada made two attempts, first with the Countess of Dufferin and afterwards with the Atlanta, both of which were badly beaten. Then in 1885 the English again tried tlieir luck, hut theii deep, narrow cutter Genesta, had to yield to tire broad and shallow Puritan, which led from start to finish, and came in 16 minutes ahead.

Next year the Galatea was defeated by the Mayflower. A more exciting race took place between the Scottish Thistle and the Volunteer, hut again the Americans held their own. Valkyre 11 ®fhade only a slightly better record, and lost one chance through an accident to her spinnaker. The contest with Valkyrie 111, was very unsatisfactory, as she withdrew in the thire race. Tlie last attempt up to date will he fresh in the minds of all yatcliing enthusiasts. It was another disappointing affair. Very high hopes had been placed on Shamrock 1., but in the first race she was beaten, and in the second she broke her topmast and gave up. Shamrock 11. now enters under the inauspicious omen of her recent accident.