The record-union., 1893-10-06
Contest for the Cup Abandoned on
Account of Light Winds.
COULD NOT COVER THE DISTANCE
IN THE TIME LIMIT.
The English Yacht So Far in the Lead
When the Race Was Declared Off
That the Vigilant Could Hardly
Help Meeting With Defeat-Another
Attempt to be Made To-Morrow.
Special to the REcoRp-UN1ox

Special to the RECoRD-UNIoN.
New YORK, Oct. 5.-Baf11ed by light
winds, the yachts Vigilant and Valkyrie,
which started to-day on the first of the
international races for Americas cup,
We're compelled to abandon the contest.
The English cutter was then mile in
advance of the Vigilant and the point
from which they started about six hours
before was yet miles away. 1t was keen
disappointment TO thousands who had
stood by the rails and clung to vantage
ground on board the steamers all day.
The overpowerlng attraction Of the big
race between the English and American
prize winners drew the biggest fiotilla
that ever sailed to Sandy Hook to see
yachts race, and every boat was crowded,
too.
There was, as matter of fact, no actual
contest between the yachts, but under to-
days condition it has to be admitted that
the Nalkyrie had everything her own
way. The little wind prevailing was
close to due northwest, and the regatta
committee decided that the boats should
start away to leeward for the first fifteen
miles and return to windward.
The international racers, lying close to
the starting point, were busy with prep
aratlons till well on to IL O'clock, when
they began TO make sail. There was a
general remark that the Vigilant's sail
area was greater than that of her op-
ponent.
When the preparatory gun was fired the
NaIkyrie came around and found posi-
ton under the Nigilant's lee quarter.
Both boats then headed for the line. 1t
was only forty seconds after the starting
gun was fired that the Vigilant got over
the line. The English boat was about
six lengths behind. When two miles
out the center-boarder gained halt a min
ute in time, apparently. During the first
two miles the breeze freshened up a bit
but scarcely had the squirt made itself
known than it died out and left less air
than prevailed previously. From then
the boats entered into drifting match.
They were six miles out, with the
Vigilant pretty nearly half mile ahead,
when the accident of the day occurred.
The Nlgilant was seen to point off to lee
ward, as though about to enter new
waters. The appearance of q rowboat
gave the appearance foundation for be-
lief that the American yacht lost man
overheard and was lying to to await his
being picked up. The opinion was lost
IN the minds of those who held il when
leeward. 1t transpired later that the boat
simply lost wind and could not hold the
helm. 1t was fully quarter of an hour
before the Vigilant made an indication of
picking up her heels again. By that time
her adversary was so far ahead it was
generally conceded that the English boat
must win the race unless good stiff
breeze should spring up. The wind be-
gan to haul to the south, and the yachts
had to make a tack to reach the outer
buoy. In this work the Vigilant gained
no little on the Valkyrie.
The Valkyrie rounded tho buoy amid
wild shrieking of steam whistles.
Twenty-six minutes after this the Vigil
liant made the turn with even greater
clamor. She was over mile behind, and
had to allow over minute and three
quarters. If it had been run home it is
doubtful if the Figilant, with her poor
handling to the outer mark, could over
come the obstacles.
When about half of the homeward
journey was completed, Lord Dunraven,
who was on his own boat, hailed a tug
and asked fori tow line, and the Val
kyrie was brought back to the bay under
steam power. Almost simultaneously
did Mr.. Iselin, on the Vigilant, determine
to do the same thing.
There will be no race tomorrow, but
another attempt will be made Saturday.