New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-09-24
THE CONTEST FOR THE CUP.

New-York welcomes heartily Lord Dunravcn
and his English friends. who have crossed the
Atlantic to witness what promises to be one OF
the closest and most exciting OF international
races. If the American public cannot sympa-
thze with them in their confident hope that
they will be able to carry the cup back, it
can respect at least the earncstness and
sportsmanlke energy which the English CON-
petitois have displayed, and can express its
obligations to them for arranging an interna-
tional contest equally honorable to both coun-
tries Indeed, we may 90 still further and add
that it. any Englishman is to have the cup for
which SO many yachting battles have been
fought, Americans would prefer to have Lord
Dunraven get it rather than any one else
lie is not only well and favorably known in
Ncw-Yolll but he is also sportsman OF the
best type, representing only what is manly and
honorable in outdoor sport afoat and ashore
passionately fond of Yachting, he has not only
cruised in every sea. but he has also been
most intelligent and enthusiastic patron OF
Yacht designers. No other Englishman so well
deserves to win the trophy for which so many
fire races have been sailed of Sandy Hook
OF one thing Americans have full assurance :
# Lord Dunraven carries off the prize he will
never seeI, to Jockey them out OF their rights if
they attempt in future to regain 1t. Tor ne
stands for fair play and for all that is honor
able in the emulation and rivalry OF the two
great branches of the English speaking stock
Fortunately there have never been any I'M
pleasant controversies over the coveted cup
Many races have been sailed for it in these
waters. and no EngliShman has ever had cause
for complaint of sharp practice or unfair treat
ment. Equally honorable has been English
dealing with American !achtsmen, as the owner
of the Nayahoe can bear witness without re-
serve Lord Dunravcn will have as fair a
chance Of winning the cup from the Vigllant
in American waters as he would have II the
races were ordered for an English course. 1t
will simply be a scientific test OF the COMPARE
tive merits of the best English and the best
American Yacht. for it may be taken for grant
cd that they will BE equally wen handled.
While each yacht is to large degree com
promSe, since after decades OF emulation two
radical types have closely approached each
other. one represents the best that English skill
and science can do while the other stands fer
the best work and progress OF American de-
| signers. The contest between the Nalkyrle
and the Vigilant will be battle royal to STIR
the pulses and crafty the pride OF the Eng
| fish speaking world.
As the contesting yachts are unquestionably
| the fastest afloat, any forecast OF the result OF
the approaching races would simply be prema-
ture expires sion of national preference and
pride. Comparisons between the speed which
each has shown are Of no value, since the con-
| ditions of wind and sea have been diverse.
Experts may labor to their hearts content oyer
| the complex factors Of the problem, such a
| the sail area. the displacement and immersed
surface the frictional resistance, beam and
| lead ballast centrcboard and keel: but their
mathematical demonstrations will hardly be
worth the paper used in making them. What
is evident to the dullest and least technical
observer is that each yacht has shown herself
strong in every kind Of work, and that the
result of the races will not be affected by con-
ditions of wind and sea- Each has in the other
a worthy foeman, and neither can afford to
give the other any advantage. IT will be the
greatest of all yacht races, and the cup if it
| remain in America or be carried in triumph
| across the sea. will be the most precious prize
which has ever brought two nations into hon
orable rivalry-the treasurc-troyc OF manly
sport the world over