The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-30
At the Finish the Wind Died
Away and Caused Very
Slow Time.
VALKYRIE III IN EVIDENCE.
Dunraven's Yacht Appeared to Do
Very Creditable Work in Her
Brief Appearance.


official trial races to-day has had the effect
of decidedly revivlng the hopes OF the
yachtsmen in this vicinity, which have
been dropping somewhat since the syndi-
cate boat broke down in her last race and
failed to finish. 1t was evident that she
was much improved by the substitution of
a thicker stick for her old one, and she
was able to carry medium sized club
topsail through the squall which struck
the boats on the last leg, standing up as
stiff and straight as could be. The Vigi-
liant was beaten over every leg of the "a
mile course. and finished Is min. % sec.
behind the Defender.
Nearly half this distance, however, was
due to the fact that the wind died down
after the Defender had crossed the finish
ing line and while the Vigilant was still on
her way in. The report that had per-
sistently circulated that the Defender had
been held back in all previous races with
the Vigilant in order to disguise the real
extent of her superiority was Immediately
were plenty of yachtsmen who shook their
heads and said. ~ told you So"
1t is more probable, however, that the
improved form shown by the yacht is due
entirely to the changes which have just
been made in her. She looked filter in
every way to-day than she was in any of
the previous trials. The set of her sails
was almost perfect, although the Vigilant
before had trihe the better of it in this
respect The Defenders crew also seemed
to have gained in quickness, and there was
less of the distressing delays in setting
sails than before. The new boat kept up
her record for accidents by splitting her
iib on the last leg. The cloth was quickly
replaced BIZ another one and the mishap
was of slight consequence.
An additional element of interest was
lent to the race by the appearance on the
course of the challenger, Valkyrie III. 1t
was the first opportunity that any one had
to see the rival yachts sailing anywhere
near each other and it was eagerly en-
braced by the enthusiasts.
Yachts and tugs closed in on the cutter
until it seemed she did not have room for
sailing. Peculiar wind conditions served
to make this appearance of the Valkyrie
almost sensational one. She seemed to
be overhauling the two American yachts
with ease. She was about mile and
half behind them at the starting place.
While they were drifting along in the light
breeze the Valkyrie crept up on them,
bringing a breeze with her. Inside of an
hour she I'D approached to within less
than half mile of the Vigilant and the
faces of the spectators heightened.
Then she got into the CLASSY area with
the other yachts and slowed down. She
continued to gain on the Vigilant, how
ever, for few minutes after she had come
into the same weather conditions. The
Defender was also gaining perceptibly on
the Vigilant at the same time, but the
Valkyrie, not wishing to give the Ameri-
cans too good line on her speed, put
about and went back to the bay. Her fast
work in the light wind was something of
a surprise and confirmed the feeling that
she will come nearer to winning the famous
old cup than any of her predecessors.
The course decided upon for to-day's
race was triangular, eight miles to leg.
The first leg was laid southeast; the Sec
ond north by east, half east, and the third
leg west by south.
At the start the wind was nearly due
west, so that the first leg was broad
reach. and the second leg would have been
reach, also, had not the wind hauled
around to the south-southwest, making it
practically a run. The last leg was a
close reach. The weather conditions were
extremely variegated throughout the race.
On the first leg the breeze was blowing
about seven knots at the start, but before
the mark was reached it died away until
the yachts were almost becalmed. at
that time and later it was excessively hot.
On the second leg the breeze was fair for
time, but again died away almost to moth
ing. On the home reach it blew ND a
squall, with rain, thunder and lightning.
One time the wind reached So knots.
The elapsed time of the two boats was:
Defender, 4:49:40; Vigilant. 5:07:43 The
Defender won by Is minutes seconds.
After the race the Americas cup COM
mittee met and decided to hold the third
trial race tomorrow at IL A. NJ. from Scot
land ightship. Its boat went alongside
of the Defender, and Mr.. Iselin was noti-
fed. 1t then informed MIR. Gould on the
Vigilant. Both boats anchored in the
Horseshoe for the night. Nj. Gould went
on board the Atalanta, which was
anchored near the Vigilant.