Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1895-09-07
JOoKEYING FOB POSITIONS.

The two racers at noon were heading
toward the line close together and Jockey.
ing for positions.
The wind at noon was about east and
only blowing about four miles an hour
the yachts having little more than steer
age way. A couple of minutes after noon,
the Valkyrie brought out her stay sail,
and the Defender appeared by drawing
out from under the Valkyris's lee, as the
excursion feet, kept we'll in hand by the
patrol boats, formed about the starting
line, and everything was ready to start
the yachts on their way.
The yachts, however, had hardly gotten
away when they were recalled, the start
having been false.
The Judges boat then hoisted the "blue
peter" and the yachts were prepared for
fresh start.
The yachts crossed the line unofficially
timed as follows: Valkyrie, 12:2O:05; De-
fender, 12:2O:1O. The wind at the start
was about east, blowing at the rate of
about four miles an hour. The sky was
cloudy and there was moderate sea
running.
just before the start the Defender
slipped in between the judges boat and
che Valkyrie on the latter's weather quar-
ter, and both yachts went across on the
starboard tack under main sails, club
top-sails, stay-sails, jibs and baby jibs'
yALKYRIE SLIGHTLY IN THE LEAD.
Although the Defender was slightly to
the windward in crossing, the Valkyrie
soon began to draw away and at 1927
had lead of about 200 yards on the De.
fender and appeared to be gaining con-
stsntly, although the two yachts had to
pick their way through the excursion
feet, which hampered their movements
badly.
Not less than dozen big side-wheele,
excursion steamers were to the windward
uf the yachts shortly after the start.
At 1890 the wind began freshening
and there was good prospects of a rattling
breeze.
The valkyrie, during the last few miles
did not gain go much as the Defender
As the yachts pulled out from the excur-
sion fleet, the American yacht appeared
to be doing better. The Defender was
getting good breeze.
The valkyrie and Defender, about 1:12
D. M, went about on the stsrboard tack
and headed east by northeast. From this
point it looked as if the valkyrie had a
lead of about q half mile.
Both yachts at 1;20 p. m. were holding
off the shore on the starboard tack, and
the Defender from here seemed to be do.
ing much better.
HxouRs1oN BOAT NUISANCE.
The excursion boats seemed to be clus-
tered about the Valkyrie in an outrageous
manner, while the Defender seemed to be
keeping by herself.
The racers we're rattling along in nice
breeze at 1880 p. m. and had sailed over
about four miles. The valkyrie had
managed to shake of the thick excursion
feet.
At 1:4O D. m. the valkyrie went about
on the port tack and Defender followed
suit q minute or so later. The valkyrie
then again went about and soon after.
ward the Defender did the same.
At2p D. M, the Valkyrie was about q
quarter of mile ahead of the Defender
They we're still standing to the eastward
on the starboard tack, both boats being
sailed for all they we're worth and in the
most exciting manner, though the Val
kyrie was we'll ahead.
Shortly afterward q heavy fog began
working up from the eastward and it be-
gan to look as If it might possibly shut
ont the view obtained from here.
At 2:l6 p. M, the yachts are fading
from sight ont TO sea. They have covered
about twelve miles. The race is the most
exciting ever held for Americas cup, al
it has been close since the start and al
times from here II was difficult to dis