The record-union., 1895-08-20
FOR THE AMERICAS CUP.
The Defender and V!gilant VIII Go in
the Trial Iiace To-day.

The Defender and V!gilant VIII Go in
the Trial Race To-day.
New YORK, Aug. 19.-The final prep
arations have been made for the first of
the trial races to determine what yacht
shall meet the challenger for the Ameri-
cas- cup, and the Defender and Vigilant
will meet OFT Sandy Hook for battle
royal. Both yachts are in better trim
than ever before, and both will be sailed
to the limit of their abilities,
Without question the Defender has
been held back, and while probably no
jockeying has been intended the syndi-
cate boat has not shown her full ability To
go. The neWness of her spars, sails and
fittings has made her people cautious
about affecting her to the heavy strain
that she must endure when pushed.
Now that her sails have been stretched,
and her rigging gradually made taut the
boat is ready for her full powers to be
tested. She has big ll0-loot, boom, and
the largest Herresschoff nasts added,
and is now equipped as she will be for
the international races, provided she is
chosen TO defend the cup. Her crew had
busy day to-day. They put the last
finishing touches to her, ana this after
noon she was towed from her moorings
oil New Rochelle to New York. The re-
cent painting and scraping of her sides
and bronZing Of Her new sp2rs maxi her
very handsome.
AT o'clock this afternoon the De-
fender made sail and started down the
bay towards the narroWs. There was 3
spanking breeze from the north west, and
under mainsail, fOresail and jib the crack
slOop ran away from her tender. the Hat
tie Palmer, and easily passed the iron
steam boat Taurus with load of eXcur-
sionists bound for Coney Island. The
Defender passed the narrowS at 4:30
o'clock. and with her white sides glisten
ing in the sunlight, swept down tho
lower bay to an anchorage III the Horse
Shoe, where the Vigilant has been since
yesterday. The Horse Shoe is just in
side OF Sandy Hook. and is safe anchor
age ground near the starting POINT of the
races, and saves much work for the crews
of the yachts.
The Vigilant remained quietly at an
chor to-day She is in perfect condition
Tor one more try at the Defender, and
George j. Gould, who has spared neither
money or trouble, and A. +. Willard, who
has devoted most of his time, deserve
much credit for their genuine sportsman
ship. Although they saw tit to retro the
Nigilant from further races at Newport
on account OF the disregard of the Gus
tomary rules OF yachting, they have kept
their word aud placed the cup defender
OF 1893 at the disposal of the American
Cup Committee for the trial races.
Mr.. Willard has stated, however, that
any further disregard Of the rules of rae
ing by Mr.. Iselin or the shippers of the
Defender will be at their own risk, AS he
does not propose to keep on forever Civ
ing way to the new boat.
Although the regatta committee de-
cided against Mr.. Willard's protest, the
opinion among yachtmen is that the De-
fender attempted to hog the line" The
unpleasant occurrence is not likely to be
repeated, as neither Mr.. Willard nor Mr..
Iseiin want to see the Defender in
collision.
The race tomorrow will be one of two
which were set by the cup COM
mittee to determine which is the best
yacht to meet Lord Dunraven's chal-
lenger. General Payne's Jubilee Will not
take part in the trials, and the contest
will be between the Defender aud Eigi-
liant. Should one boat WIN Tuesdays
race, ana the other boat the second race,
third race may be fixed for Saturday.
From the showing that the Defender has
already made in her races with the Nigi-
liant, there is little doubt that she will be
selected 10 meet the Nalkyrie III.