Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1895-09-19
The Yacht Races.

Second race: Valkyrie led at the finish
by Az s., having fonled Defender as
the yachts were starting; protest by
the latter allowed and race awarded
to Defender by Cup committee. Third
race: Dunrayen refused to sail on ac-
count of prospect Of interference by ex-
cursion steamers; Defender sailed over
course alone and, being awarded three
straight races, retained the America
cup for America.
With one race, one fonl and one fiz-
zle; the America cup contest ends in
anything but satisfactory manner.
Never before, in the entire history OF
cup racing, dating back to 1851, has
any such outcome resulted. Never
before has such degree OF sporting
interest been aroused in America and
Great Britain. Never before have such
extensive preparations been made and
such sums of money expended. Just
as the contests were becoming the
leading international sporting events,
they have ended in a quarrel that
threatens to postpone other cup races
to the remote future. The result is
deeply to be deplored.
Whose fault is it? Americans
claim it is Dunraven's; Englishmen
that he was justified.
When, two years ago, Dunraven
sailed the other Valkyrie against the
Vigilant over the same course, he made
loud complaint of the interference OF
the excursion boats which both dis
turbed the water and cut off the wind.
When he challenged this year. he gave
as his preference the Marblehead
course as being less liable to interfer-
ence. The New York Yacht club,
which holds the cup, refused the re-
quest and finally Dunraven agreed on
the Sandy Hook course.
Thousands of interested people
wanted to see the races and excursion
boats were crowded. AT the first two
races they did interfere considerably
With the yachts but showed no favor
% the American boat, giving her tie
worst of it, if anything. There is no
aw compelling the boats to sail as the |
Yacht club directs and the latter could |
lot restrain them, though it tried |
lard to do so. The Englishmen were
much disappointed in their boat af-
er the first race, which unquestiona-
bly, proved the Defenders superiority.
Then, in the second race, when the
Yankee boat had been badly disabled
md delayed by the yalkyrie's boom
weeping down her shrouds and break
ng her topmast, they saw how badly |
hey were outclassed since, even in her
ad plight, the Defender nearly over
ook her rival. The committee would
AVE been glad to have had the race
esailed, but neither party would agree
0 this. After a decision had been
endered, Mr.. Iselin of the Defender
ffered to resail it, but Lord Dunraven
you'd not. The latter then set up the
lain that fair races were impossible
n the presence Of the excursion fleet.
lie asked that the course be changed
/ that the committee assure that there
Tould be no interference. The COM
nittee answered that a change was
impossible and that it could not guar
ntee non-interference, though it
7ould do its best to keep the course
lear. This was unsatisfactory, and
)unraven withdrew his boat. He has
lnce declined to race the Valkyrie
gainst the Defender over the Mar
lehead course for special cup.
1t looks as If his lordship was not
nxious to try conclusions again with
he Yankee yacht While the inter
erence cannot be justified, both boats
vere served alike and the best yacht
vould have won the race. The COM
littee should have fixed on the Mar
lehead course in the first place, but
,unraven agreed to the Sandy Hook
curse and should have sailed the
aces. Instead of true sportsman,
Q will be known in this country here
fter as "quitter." The cup COM
littee did everything in its power to
ave the races conducted perfectly
mir.
Happily, the event did not end I'M
i the Defender had once more DEM
nstrated that in yacht-building and
acht-sailing we are still world