Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-09-19
THE CUP STAYS HERE.
LORD DUNRAVEN REFUSES TO
RACE THE VALKYRIE.
He Says That Steamers Carrying
Spectators Interfere With the
Sport-Defender' Fast Time.

New York, Sept. 13.-The interna-
tional series between the Defender
and the Valkyrie for Americas cup
is ended. On the whole it has been an
extraordinary series and while the re
suit is satisfactory to American peO-
went to make up the match were not
The Defender won in a clean race on
Saturday. Tuesday she crossed the
line behind the English boat, but was
awarded the race on foul. Thursday
she had a walk-over.
Lord Dunraven said most emphati-
caliy Wednesday night that he would
withdraw his boat on the morrow if
an absolutely clear course was not
provided. He claimed that during the
previous race his boat was greatly
dnterfered with and, as everything de
pended upon the outcome Of the third
of the series, he adhered to that deciS-
ion so closely that the Valtyrie merely
crossed the starting line and then re-
tired from the contest. The Defender
which was we'll in advance when the
handicap gun fired, continued on her
Journey and went over the course well
within the time limit. BY her three
straight victories, the Defender re-
tains the historic cup for America.
The race scheduled for Thursday
promised to be a more exciting one
than either of the two preceding, for
Ut was expected that every effort
would be made by Dunraven, after
Tuesdays disappointment, to score a
victory with the boat that he had
brought so far. Wednesday the Walk
yu.ie was tuned up to the highest pitch
in anticipation of Thursdays contest.
Several alterations were made and
those upon whom her sailing qualities
depend most largely were prepared to
eXpend every ounce of muscle and
skill to bring her over the line a vic
tor. Lord Dunraven had expressed
himself as apparently satisfied with
the decision rendered by the cup COM
mittee ON the fouling of the Defender
by his boat and the ma tier had SEEM
ingly been settled.
11:20:4, rounded the first mark at
1:26:5S, and finished at 4:O4:36 In a
light breeze this was a particularly
good performance and the beat to the
windward was much faster than had
been anticipated. for during one part
of that journey the very light breeze
seemed to die out almost entirely.
But even in that the Defender made
good Roadway and when she crossed
the line, winner of the race, winner
of the series, Defender in fact as we'll
as in name, she was greeted with a
roar of whistles thrice repeated and
the belching of cannon and the cheers
of thousands for the gallant victories
that she had won.
General regret is expressed that the
series for Americas cup. begun so
auspiciously and promising. had ended
so disasterously. for while the QueS
tion which arose as to the winner of
the second race might have been
passed by UNDECIDED had a stirring
contest taken place Thursday. the
withdrawal of Dunraven in the third
and perhaps the deciding event has
necessarily had depressing effect up
ON all Of those identified with the great
match and will probably have a more
serious effect in regard to future in
national races.
Lord Dunraven Wednesday night
threatened to withdraw from the race
if there were many excursion boats
present His letter to the regatta CON-