St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-10-08
vIGILANT The VICTOR
Americas Noble Craft VIII. =
by Six Minutes.
LORD DyRRAKEN'S BOAT LEAD.
at the Start, but Is Soo.~
Headed.
THOUSANDS OF SPECTATORS
Cheer the Champions Of Two
Great Countries.
FIRST RACE OF A SEXES.

New YORK, Oct. 7.-Bowling along
under fair wind, the American cup
defender Vigilant crossed the line at
Sandy Hook lightship at 8: 80 this after
noon, winner in the first of the inter
national races for the Americas cup.
The Valkyrie arrived home almost eight
minutes later, and both were at once
taken IN Tow by their respective tenders
and hurried to their places of shelter off
Bay Ridge. 1t was a magnificent con-
test from every point of view, and dem
onstrated for that day at least the su-
perlor construction of the center board
er over the cutter, as well as the su-
perior craftsmanship of the men who
handled the American boat
One thing only was lacking to bring
out in those who witnessed the race.
landsmen and yachtsmen alike, the
fullest measure of enthusiasm during
its progress, and that was the wind.
Never more than light wind prevailed
during the day. and sometimes it was
carcely more than puff.
Neither of the yachts had intimated Il
desire for a pOstpOnement, and at II 4.
III. the signal went up on the flagship
for the course east-southeast. Fifteen
minutes later the preparatory gcu was
fired, and at 11:25 the boats weas aver
the line. They had Unanswered like
two great birds at the sta1t, and bare
few seconds separated them. They
were away together, and kept within
easy range of each other for an hour or
more. Rounding the stake boat,
THE vIGILANT
had nearly ten minutes the best of it,
and even on a mile reach which fol-
lowed the territory of the mark the cup
defender was seen to creep away from
her opponent.
At the home line the flotIlla had
again formed a crescent. which was in
creased in size by the steamers that
left their docks at noon to see the finish.
Some of them were loaded until the
water reached their rails, and yet
tie thousands Of spectators braved
the dangers of a chance INNER
sion and clambered to every point
of vantage. They showed JOY in
their cOuntenances as the Vigilant
crept steadily nearer the swing
ing llghtship. Their 10y burst its
bounds as the brave little Vigilant
dipped gracefully through the waves.
and long before the screaming of whis-
ties told of 4 royal battle ended, a hun
dred thousand tongues proclaimed in
true American accord that as yet the
queen of the centerboarders and cutters
is here, and has still speed and strength
to bear the name of cup-defender in
reality. When the committee in charge
OF the race, who were stationed on Com
moGOra Mcrgan's flagship, decided that
the course should begin with a lee run
to the east-northeast before the west
northwest wind, signal on the May
was run up to announce that fact. This
was at II a. IN. The shippers in charge
of the racers having accepted the con-
ditions of the weather and the judg-
ment of the committee, which was to
the effect that the race should be
started, they began to skirmish for
favorable position above the line, in
order that they might get over tie mark
that opened the race under the most
favorable advantages.
THE VALKYRIE
had stood somewhat further up to the
northWard than the American boat. and
came to in the wind some three lengths
behind. The English boat continue d.
and the Vigilant came about. The
American boat made another tack after
this before the Valkyrie came about for
heading down to the line. The pre-
paratory gun had been fired sharp on
time, 1I:15, and when the starting gun
was touched off there was only ques-
ton of about $50 feet between the two
yachts, the Falkyrie having the lead.
AT that time the wind was blowing at
the rate of about seven miles an hour.
Almost simultaneously the yachts low
cred their spinnacker booms and set
their big side sails and began the Jour
ney.
Up to that time the Valkyrie had not
only held her own, but had increased
her lead pretty nearly half her own
length. The cutter kept on increasing
her lead. At the end of mile she was
a good two lengths ahead.
On each boat the sailor work was
splendid. The Valkyrie increased her
lead at least one more length during the
first two miles. From that point up to
distance of four and half miles the
Vigilant held her own. At the end of
the four and half miles, however. a
change came.
THE AMERICAN BOAT
had been on the lee quarter of the
Englishman and, as said before. some
distance behind. Suddenly she shot
ahead. The Vigilant had caught a
slant of wind, although she was con-
siderably to leeward. that the Valkyrie
was not touched by. 1t was in measure
reversal of what had occurred on
Thursday. However that may be, the
Nigilant went ahead pounding the
water with her spoon bow and within
fifteen minutes was fully quarter of a
mile in the lead. In another quarter of
an hour she was so far ahead of her ad
versary that everybody could see that
she had far more than an even chance
to beat the cutter in the run before the
wind to the outer mark. The American
boat not only held her lead. but in
creased 1t to full mile before she had