NOT LOST YET.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 July 1920, Page 5

NOT LOST YET.

YACHT RACE POSITION,

EACH HAS TWO WINS. ONE RACE TO DECIDE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received July 25, 5.5 p.m. New York, July 23. The yacht race position is that t;.a best three of five heats decides. Each boat has now won two heats, and the final will be decided on Saturday. The details of the heats are:— First Heat.—Won by the Shamrock. Second Heat.—Abandoned. Third Heat.—Won by the Shamrock. Fourth Heat.—Won by the Resolute. Fifth Heat.—Won by the Resolute. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

[The above message differs from the leeords previously cabled, and which gave the 'third heat to the Resolute, thus creating the impression that the cup had been retained by America. The cables dealing with the race have all been more or less contradictory and confused, For instance, the fourth heat which is described below in a calrie from New York bearing Friday's date is in reality the fifth heat, if the heat which was abandoned is counted as one. It is now made clear, however, that the final result depends on the race fixed for Saturday, the result of which had not come to hand when the telegraph office closed early this morning.]

NIGHT BEFORE THE FINAL.

INTENSE INTEREST IN NEW YORK. SIR THOMAS LIPTON HOPEFUL. Received July 2'd, 12.15 a.m. New York, Friday Night. Interest in the America Cup races has reached the highest point here to-night. Experts agree that both vessels made a good showing, and they do not wish to prophecy the result of the final race. Sir Thomas Lipton stated: "If we don't win tl)is all important race tomorrow it won't be because we did not bring the best talent from Britain. My crew did its very best. I want to see the best boat win, and I am very hope-tul.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE FOURTH HEAT. WON BY THE RESOLUTE. DESCRIPTION OF THE RACE. New York, July 23. ■ The Resolute won the fourth race.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Received July 25, 5.5 p.m. New York, July 23. Fog delayed the start. The course beat to windward from the Ambrose Channel .lightship south south-west, down the New Jersey shore, and a reach east by north out to sea, with another roach back to the lightship. A light and variable five-knot wind was blowing. The Resolute crossed at lhr lmin 31sec., and the Shamrock at lhr lmin 50sec. At 1.11, the Resolute led by a quarter of a mile. The Shamrock crossed four seconds before the expiration of the two minutes allowed after the signal. The Resolute was steadily drawing ahead in the first huur, and leading inshore at 1.10, the Resolute's sharp bow lifted better through the rolling sea. The first turn was made by the Resolute at 2hr 34min 47sec, and by the Shamrock at 2hr 30min 58sec. I At 1.20, the Resolute was pinching out to weather, and the Shamrock, forereaching the'wind, hauled south, putting the Resolute a quarter of a mile to windward, where she was almost able to lay for the first mark. At 1.30 the wind was eight knots, south south-west, and the Resolute was half a mile windward, going faster, the Shamrock seeming soggy. Both were standing inshore •to gain the advantage of the tide, The Shamrock tried to pinch out along the of the wind, and was doing better. At 1.50 a small baby jib topsail was helping the Shamrock, and the wind was six knots. At 2.5, the Shamrock came about, heads offshore. At 2.7, the Resolute crossed the Shamrock's bow, and came about on the starboard tack, and planted' squarely in the Shamrock's quarter. , At 2.45, three miles on the second leg, the Resolute was leading by half a mile. The Resolute turned the second mark at 3hr 25m in 4ftsec, and the Shamrock at 3hr 27min lGsec. At 3.50 it was squally, and the yachts were fouv miles from the lightship. The Shamrock passed the Resolute three miles from .the finish. The Resolute again led half a mile from the finish of the second leg. A wind of fifteen knots drove the boats through a shower of spray, and the Shamrock very slowly gained speed. The boats were averaging close on 12 knots. For the third leg, a wind of 18 knots tore along. The Shamrock was unable to carry her big reaching jib topsail, which was not replaced. At 3.41 a black squall made the Shamrock haul down her topsail. The Resolute hauled down her jib topsail, and won by 9min 58sec. The Resolute finished at 4hr 39min 25see, and the Shamrock at 4hr 43min Gsec. At 3.51 the squall passed, and the wind was north-west. The Resolute was leading by a quarter of a mile. Four miles from the finish the Resolute tacked,; forcing the Shamrock about. Both were becalmed, and their relative positions were not changed. At 4.15 the Shamrock caught a southwest breeze first, and set her working topsail and big jib,' and began to reach the Resolute. At 4.16, three miles out, both were reaching for the finish port tack. At 4.20 both were holding a fair speed, with topsails set, with the Shamrock to weather slightly ahead. The Resolute closed up within a mile, taking the lead. The elapsed time was: ResoJute 3hr 37min 52sec., Shamrock 3hr 41min lOsec.

Yachting circles in New York are agitating for new rules for future races, whereunder there will be no time allowance, no matter the size of the vessels, provided they are built within certain limits. It is pointed out that the sporting value of the races ifrould thus be Cable Am.