The herald., 1894-08-17
THE ROYAL VICTORIA REGATTA.
A Triangular Race for the
Ryde Cup.
Satanita, Britannia aud Vigilant
Entered.
They Finished in the Order Named,
Much to tho Dfsgust of the
Americans-A Pretty
Contest.
By ,he Asrociated Press.


RyDE, Isle OF Wight, Aug. 16.-To the
delight of the hosts OF yachtsmen here
assembled. fairly strong westerly
breeze was blowing today, the third day
of the regatta of the Royal Victoria
Yacht club. The chief race on the pro-
gramme was the Town cup, valued at
$500, to be competed for by all yachts
over 40 rating. The three yachts, Vigi-
liant. Britannia and Satsnita were en-
tered.
The course today was that of the Royal
Victoria Yacht club, known as "the
long course round the Nab" The Wig
liant allowed the Satanita AZ seconds
and the Britannia minutes seconds.
AS the gun was fred to eend the boats
eastward on their course, the Vigilant
was pointing straight for the line. The
Satanita and the Britannia. though
nearest to the line, were pointing south
ward, and therefore lost way in having
to jibe. The times of the three yachts
at starting were: Satanita, 10 90 :04:
Britannia, 10 100 :07; Vigilant, 10 100 :09.
Although the Vigilant crossed the line
last she had greater way on her, owing
to the fact that she WAS not compelled
to jibe for the line, and she soon over
hauled her opponents and took the lead
when they were about quarter OF a
mile cut. The Satanita, on the other
hand, fell into third place, and people
thought the American yacht was going
to administer q second drubbing TO the
two Britishers.
All three yachts were carrying top.
sails, iibs and iib-topsaile, and the force
OF the wind, to the delight OF all the
| spectators, sent them reeling over until
their rails were partly submerged as
they tore along, dashing the spray
aside and leaving churned streak of
| white water gIistening behind them.
As result Of yesterdays gale a choppy
sea was running through the Solent, but
this only served to make things livelisr
and to make the racers show their bot
toms prettily as they surged over the
green rollers in grand style, to plunge
superbly forward under the pressure of
their clouds of enow:white canvas, like
race horses etraining every nerve to
outfoot each other.
The three yachts at first made board
toward the opposite shore. the Vigilant
luffing up in order to prevent the Bri-
tannia, which had the weather position,
from getting ahead The Vigilant
pressed on the Britannia's lee, and some
skillful jockeying took place between
them. But while these dusls in seaman.
ship were taking place, the Satanita,
most cleverly handled, took advantage
OF the lufiing tactics to head straight
away for the Nab. and to these lights
she made bee line, ripping along at q
splendid rate, gaining rapidly upon her
opponents as che made her way ont to
sea. The commanders of the Vigilant
and Britannia we're soon obliged, owing
to the Satanita's surge ahead, to point
out to sea and abandon the luffing
match. The Britannia then crossed un-
der the Vigilant's lee, showing that the
Yankee had got the worst OF it in the
luffing duel.
Nearing the Nab the positions Of the
yachts were: Sstsniia first, Britannia
second and Vigilant third. Spinnakers
wels spread to the breeze as the three
yachts, with the wind hauled slightly,
northwards, ran for the Nab lights.
From the Nab lights it was Q reach
west, westward and northward to the
next boat marx. The Vigilant drew out
alter passing the spit, and before two
miles more had been covered, was over
quarter Of q mile ahead. By this time
the wind was freshening and favored
the Sstanits, enabling that yacht to
pull ahead, and she soon afterwards .ap-
Fpeared to be increasing the gap which
she had placsd between herself and her
competitors, and passing Ryde. opposite
Cowss. Mr.. ClaFk's yacht appeared to
be about mile ahead. As they crossed
the line at the enc Of the first round
the 6atsnita's lead was minutes 33
seconds on the Vigilant, and ON the
Britannia 6 minutes 46 seconds.
AT the Nab light on the second round,
both the Britannia and Vigitant had
cloBed upon the Satanita, but the prince
OF Wales cutter had taken second place.
The Satanita at the lights led the Brit
annia by minutes "a seconds, and WINS
minutes 90 seconds ahead of the
Vigilant.
Inths short run from the. spit to op-
posite Ryde, both the Vieilant and
Britannia pulled up on the leader. tho
fret named reducing the gap to 8 min
4 utes seconds, while the Britannia was
minutes 48 seconds behind the Satan
ita. At the spit mark boat, the Satanita
had lead of minutes 3S seconds ,op
the Britannia, and minutes 48 seconds
on the Vigilant. The Britannia got q
good breeze coming up from the spit
and rapidly gained.
The time OF the yachts at the finish
was: satanita, 3:36:39; Britannia,
3:42 :29; Visilant, 8 :43 80. TIE SSa-
\ tanita consequently beat the Britannia
by minutes A seconds, and the Vigi-
! liant 7sminutes and IL seconds. While
4 the Britannia was | minute % seconds
ahead of.thet American yacht at tho fn-
I ish. all times being without counting
time allowance.
1t is snneunced that the match race
between the Vigilant and Britannia will
surely be sailed Saturday next.
Bltton by Rather.