Evening star., 1895-08-24
BETTER IN LIGHT WIND
George Gould Comparing Valkyrie With
the Defender.
Thinks the visflnnt Has Been Made
Fnster-Approves the Protest md
Acts of willard.

NEW YORK, August 24.-The American
liner Paris. which arrived today, carried
among her passengers George J. Gould, the
owner of Vigilant, who has been abroad
for several months, and who saw Valkyrie
Ill race on the other side. He talked free
ly on yachting and other matters with a
reporter of the Associated Press.
In speaking Of the race on the Clyde,
when Valkyrie beat Britannia by nineteen
minutes over a forty-mile course. he said
that Valkyrie won fairly. 1t was true that
Britannia and Ailsa did have series OF
luffing matches between them during the
race, ana both were doubtless retarded
considerably on that account, but even af-
ter allowing for all that could be fairly
given for those movements, the Valkyrie
still won by very large margin.
Mr. Gould was asked how he considered
the chances Of Valkyrie against Defender.
He replied:
.T have no doubt that valkyrie is the
faster boat In Europe in light weather.
have seen her sail and know from those OBJ
servations that she Is wonderfully swift.
1 have not seen her In a strong wind. but
have been told by others who have had a
look at her under those conditions that she
is quite tender"
DO you think, Mr.. Gould. that the
Vig:lant Is faster this year than 1ast?"
asked the reporter
Eyes, from what nave heard, I certainly
do: but whether she is better by four. five
or six minutes over a thirty-mile course,
do rot undertake to say. This much will
say. that improved as the Vigilant Is. l
believe the Defender to be the faster boat
in all-round sailing"
When the reporter asked him II he DIP
management Of the Vlgilant, and especially
as ii referred to his ((Willard's) withdrawal
of the yacht from further races at New
port Mr.. Gould replied:
with the protest that MIR. Willard made on
July ~ off Sandy Hook and off Newport, but
1 have 50 much faith in that gentlemans 8
Judgment that am inclined to answer that
I believe he did the right thing.
Il understand that he yielded points on
10th of the occasions mentioned. If he did
so, / am satisfied that his motive was only
to prevent collision, and thereby save the
Defender from a serious accident. Of
course, the withdrawal at Newport from
the races that were to be sailed later in the
week, and which were not. perhaps, Of the
first Importance, had nothing to do with
our intention to sail the boat in the formal
trial races, in which the Defender was to
have an opportunity Of the further test
that new boat needs. My one and only
purpose in this whole matter has been to
give the Defender trial horse, and that, I
think, has Leen done"
Mr.. Gould will sail on the Vigilant in the
two races against the Defender next week.
BRISTOL. RI. August 24.-'I hope that
the work on the boat will be finished, and
that We will be able 10 leave here on Tues
day for New York with our new steel boom
gaff." said Capt. Half of the Defender this
afetrnoon to reporter of the Associated
Press
He added that great care was being taken
with the work, and that it was possible
that Defender would not be ready to sail
before Wednesday. A large force of men
are at work on the big sloop, however, and
it is probable that the finishing touches on
her will be completed by Tuesday.
The new mast and topmast, which ar
rived last night are being trimmed up, un-
der the direction of Capt. Half and the
Herreshoffs. Capt Half said today that he
expected the mainmast would be ready to
step tomorrow morning.