The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-10-08
THE VIGILANT WINS.
Outsails the Valkyrie, bnt Is
Less Skillfully Handled.
THE WIND NOT SATISFACTORY.
In . Thirty-M Mile Race the American
Ahea.-fntense Interest Taken

NEW YoRK. Oct 7.-Bowling along un-
der q fair wind the American cup defender
yigiIant crossed the line at sandy Hook
Iightship at $50 this afternoon, winner in
the first OF the international races for the
Americas cup. The vaIkyrie arrived
home almost eight minutes later. and both
were nj once taken IN tow by the respec-
tive tenders and hurried to the anchorage
of Bay ridge.
twas a magnificent contest from every
point of view and demonstrated for the
day at leas, the superiority of the center-
boarder over the cutter. as well as the
superior craftsmanship OF the men who
handled the English boat One thing only
was lacking, and that was wind Never
more than q light wind prevailed, and
sometimes IL was scarcely more than o
puff
When the committee in charge Of the
race decided that the course should begin
with lee run 10 the east-northeast before
q west-northwest wind signal was run up
10 announce the fact This was at III a m.
The shippers in charge OF the racers. hav-
ing accepted the conditions Of the weather
and the judgment of the committee, began
TO skirmish fer a favorable position above
the line.
The preparatory gun was fired at 1i:l5
sharp and when the starting gun was
touched off there was only question of
about $50 feet between the two yachts. the
valkyrie having the lead. The wind was
blowing at the rate of about seven miles
an hour, and the cutter kept on increasing
the lead. At the end of a mile she was
good two lengths ahead. The Valkyrie
increased the lead ut least one more
length during the first two miles. From
that point up 10 distance of
four and one half miles the Vigilant held
her own. Then a change came. Sudden
" the Vigiiant caught slant of wind. al
though the yalkyrie was not touched by
it, and within fifteen minutes she was
fully quarter of 4 mile in the lead. In
another quarter-hour the American boat
not only held the lead. but increased it to
. full mile before she sailed five miles.
About this time the wind hauled away
round to the south -soathwest, necessitat-
ing some changes in sails.
The Valkyrie remained at her mile dis
lance and could not gain an inch. Half
an hour later the wind shifted again, and
once more spinnakers were rugged. The
yaIkyrie could not improve her position,
but, on the contrary, rather dropped back.
ana the Vigilant went on ahead, not stop
ping till the end of the outward journey.
The American boat made the turn of the
outer mark amid the greatest enthusiasm.
The wind was now about west and it be-
came question of long reach. 1t was on
reach that the cutter was supposed to be
| at her best During the reach. however,
with all things equal. the Eigilant actu-
! ally gained on the cutter. There was an
| other shift in the wind and the boats were
| compelled to sail close TO the wind, the VAL
kyrie certainly appearing to gain ground.
| The distance the VaiSyrie was overhauling
| the Vigilant was considerable. but all the
time she was sagging off to leeward. while
the centerboarder was holding her head at
| the wind. The Valkyrie eaught slight