YACHT RACE

Taranaki Daily News, 19 July 1920, Page 5

YACHT RACE

SECOND HEAT CANCELLED, j I CALM PREVENTS RACE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright, Received July 18, 5.6 p.m. Vancouver, July 17. : The second heat of the race for the America Cup was called off, owing to a, calm prevailing.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. A SPORTING SPIRIT. SIR THOS LIPTON'S COMMENT. Received July 18, 5.5 p.m. New York, July 16. It is mow revealed that when the fog descended the Shamrock was leading the Resolute, but the captain lost his bearings and headed inshore, while the Resolute luckily headed seawards, gaining the lead. Viewing the race from his steamer, Sir Thomas Lipton's emotions fluctuated like a barometer, and when the accident occurred to the Resolute he did not know whether to be glad or sorry. He said: "I would rather not accept victory due to an accident or a fluke. If they want it not to count I agree with them."- 31r Thomas Lipton was very disappointed at the /weather, and remarked that th* Shamrock needed a steady, strong breeze. It is recalled that Sir Thomas Lipton'* Shamrock 'I, in the 1899 regatta, Was compelled to withdraw from the second race which fell to the Resolute.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. MISHAP TO THE SHAMROCK. ACCIDENT DURING FIRST RACE. Received July 19, 12.35 a.tt." New York, July 17. The second race for the American Cup will be held over a thirty mile triangular course, and this is expected to bring out the best "sailing qualities, of both craft. Mr. Burton (Sir Thomas Lipton's skipper), speaking of his rival, said: "I have seen enough of the Resolute to know she is hot stuff." The time handicap stands. The Shamrock's Nicholson jacket to prevent back windage from the mainmast was not used, the committee threatening re-measurement. Owing to light easterly airs the start was postponed. It became known, after many contradictory reports were circulated, that the Shamrock also suffered a mishap during the first race, which in the opinion of the skipper (Mr. Burton).might have resalted in the Shamrock's withdrawal had she been compelled to crowd on extra sail in order to finish the race. The bowsprit iron had moved inward, and the vessel wasiin danger of disablement. The bowsprit has been repaired. The Resolute has been supplied with an alumnite gaff to take the place of a wooden one, and both vessels are ready for the next race. The officially corrected time allowance to the Resolute is now announced to be six minutes forty seconds.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

DETAILSDF FIRST RACE. SHAMROCK'S BAD START. New York, July 15 At the start of the yacht race -a 40knot south-west breeze was " blowing. Ten minutes later rain killed the breeze.. This was followed by a heavy squall, almost amounting to a cloud-burst, accDrapanied by lightning. M 1.5 o'clock boih yachts were off-shore oh the starboard tack in a B-knot breeze, Resolute being half-a-mile in the lead and slightly to windward. After an hour 'and a half six miles had been covered. At , 1.43 Resolute was slowly increasing her lead. Shamrock came about to starboard and followed in her wake. At 2 o'clock Resolute was nalf-a-mile ahead, ten miles out. The wind veered to the west when the yachts pointed for the turning mark and the sea then became flat and the air dead. Resolute handled her sails better than Shamrock.

Resolute was surprisingly better in the light air, footing faster and getting 4J minutes ahead. Shamrock lost half-a-mile on the inshore tack. Off Long Branch she heeled over in a rain squall. The American picking up first, every puff of wind increased her lead. Resolute held up better to the mark, going fast on the port tack. Then the accident happened to her gaff, which fell half down, and Shamrock passed her. Shamrock covered the course In 4 hours 20 minutes. ' Shamrock got away with a bad start, crossing the line before the signal and having to recross, thus giving Resolnte a lead of 20 yards, which was quickly increased to 300 yards. Shortly afterwards tropical rain beKan to fall and the breeze fell to the faintest south-west breath. The official starting times were: Resolute 12hr. Omin. 40sec., Shamrock 12hr lmin 3sec. Shamrock conceded Resolute Omin. 40sec. This change is due to remeasurement. 'Before 1 o'clock a fog from windward made thfe conditions worse. The Shamrock backers declare that her get-away was the worst ever made by a Lipton challenger. They were plainly discouraged.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.