The herald., 1893-10-06
Bad Beginning Of the Big
Yacht Race.
The First Heat Resulted in No
Contest.
A Lack of Wind Caused the Trial to
Be q Fizzle.
Tho valkyrie Proved Herself to Be the
Better Drifter- Thousands of
Tired and Disappointed
Spectators.
By theAssociated Press.

New YoRK, Oct. 5.-Raffled by light
winds, the yachts vigilant and Valkyrie,
which started today on the first Of the
International races for the Americas
cup, were 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 the thou
sands who had stood by the rails and
clung to vantage ground on board OF a
steamer all day. The overpowering at
traction OF the big rnce between the
British and American prize winners
drew the biggest f1otilla that ever sailed
to Sandy Hook to see yachts race, and
every boat was crowded, too. From the
deck of the steamer Republic Associated
Press reporters dispatched carrier
pigeons with the earliest news OF the
start, finish and progress OF the con-
test.
There was as matter of fact
no actual contest between the yachts,
but under today's conditions it he's to
be admitted the Valkyrie had every
prevailing was due northwest and the
regatta committee decided that the boats
sheuld start away to the leeward for the
first 15 miles and return to the wind
ward. The international racers, lying
close to the starting point, we're busy
with preparations till we'll on to IL
O'Clock, when they began to make sail.
There was general remark that the
Vigilsnt's sail area was greater than
that OF her opponent. When the pre-
paratory gun was fired. the Valkyrie
came around and found position under
the Vigilant's lee quarter. Both boats
then headed for the line. 1t was oaly
40 seconds after the starting gun was
fred that the Vigilant got over the line.
The English boat was about ak lengths.
behind! When two miles out the
center-boarder gained half a minute of
time apparently
During the first two miles the breeze
freshened up bit, but scarcely had the
spurt made itself known than it died out
and left less air than prevailed previous
ly. From then the boats entered into q
drifting match. They were about six
miles out, with the Vigilant pretty
nearly half mile ahead. whom the acci-
dent OF the day occurred. The Vigilant
was seen to point off to leeward, as
though about to enter new waters. The
appearance of a row boat gave foundation
for the belief that the American yacht
had lost man overheard and was lying
to TO pick him up. This opinion was
lost in the minds of those who held it
when thev saw the American boat con-
tinue to leeward. 1t tranapired later
that the boat had simply lost the wind
and could not hold her helm.
1t was fully quarter OF an hour be-
fore the Vigilant made indication of
picking up her heels again. BY that
time her adversary was 80 far ahead
that it was generally conceded that the
English boat must win the race unlets
good stiff breeze should spring up. The
wind began to haul to the south, and the
yachts had TO make tack to rench the
outer buoy, In this work the Vigilant
gained no little on the Vaikyrie. The
Valkvrie rounded the buoy amid the
shriekings of steam whistles.
Twenty-six minutes after this the
Vigilant made the turn with even
greater clamor. She was a mile behind,
and had to allow over minute and
three-quarters. II it had been run
home, it is doubtful if the Vigilant with
her poor handling to the outer mark,
could overcome the obstacles. When
about half the homeward journey was
completed, Lord Dunrayen, who was on
his own boat. hailed q tug, asked for a
tow line and was brought back to the
bay under steam power. Almoet eimul-
taneously did Mr.. Isslin on the Visilant
determine to'do the7aame thing.
There will be no race tomorrow, but
another attempt will be made Saturday.
LONDON. Oct. 5.-The greatsst interest
ia taken in England in the race between
the valkyrie and Vigilant. The various
clubs and hotels and other reeorts ct
which it was possible to obtain news of
the race were thronged until midnight.