The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-09-12

year-and who has not been intere ted?-
will feel anything but regret at the unfor-
tunate accident of Tuesday, and the con-
troversy that arose from It,
No such incident is recorded in the
long history OF the Americas cup con-
tests. As a general rule 1t could be laid
down that nothing like an intentional
foul would be possible. But there was an
accident on Tuesday, a collision, a pro-
test, a crippled boat, and finished race.
Either Yalkyrie fouied Defender. or she
didn't Sentiment cried out 10 declare
the race off and try again, but, as a matter
OF fact, sentiment has no more weight
with the infexible laws of sport than
with the laws governing the national
banks. The pugilist who fouls his com
petitor forfeits the race. The oarsman
who fouls his rival sacrifices the contest.
sc far as the action OF the regatta COM
mttee was concerned, so soon as the foul
was demonstrated, 10 the best OF their be-
lief, the offending boat lost the race, and
that is all there Is TO IL. Nobody ques-
lions the decision in the premises, though
Lord DUNRAvEN. like the good advocate
and insistent sportsmen that he is, does
rot agree with the finding, as he has
maintained from the first that valkyrie
did not foul. He IS bound TO stick to
that opinion, so long az he honestly be-
lieves he is right. But he does not ques-
Judicial authority in the case, nor seek TO
make any sentimental appeal from their
judgment. And neither he nor the De-
fender people had any disposition to ap-
pear before that judicial authority, aud
consider any special grace, or terms, or
arrangement that might be dictated by
soatiment TO make an exception in the
case OF an Americas cup race over all
other marine contests. The course pur-
sacd was businoss-lIke and sportsman
like, the only course that in the end could
have been of any lasting satisfaction,
however widespread may be the regret at
the incident that thus might have placed
the committee between the devil and the
deep sea. 1t seems to US clear that II any
error in judgment had Leen made, ii
would have been made in favor of Valky-
RE- for TIE regatta committee may well
have considered the possible controversy
that would follow their decision, and its
effects on future international matches,
and they are not human il they do not
recognize that the great cordial hearted
public didn't give II p whether Valky-
rie got the race or not, so long as we feel
cocksuro OF winning in the end.
The work of the regatta committee 10
completed. But IL the Defender and the
Valkyrie people choose to agree to drop
that unfortunate race out and sail again,
the committee will, likely enough, con-
sent.
OF course we do feel sure OF final victo-
ry, barring untoward mishap. The first
race was conclusive for a light-weather
contests. No better race was ever sailed.
Tuesdays event, in good clubtopsail
breeze. was marred by the mishap, but it
as clearly as could be de-
sired that Defender is far superior boat
in such a breeze and sea, and on every
point OF sailing. Nothing SO marvellous
in yacht racing was ever recorded, as the
gain, only few seconds to be sure, but a
gain, nevertheless, that Defender made in
that broad reach of ten miles on the Sec
ond leg of Tuesdays race, when, with on
ly handkerchlef-like jibtopsail on he
stay, she cut after Valky-
re flying splendidly ahead under the
full spread of her big balloon sail.
We can but sympathize with DUNnAvEN,
that he has boat which shows up only
so poorly against the American yacht.
AS was the case with Thistle, that de-
signer WATSON built expressly to compete
for the cup, she is not in the same class
with the defending yacht. We guess IL
she had not been crippled Defender
would have beaten valkyrie full twenty
minutes on Tuesday. Valkyrie is about
as poor q boat as ever came after the cup,
by contrast, that is, with her competi-
tor. She is n grievous disappointment to
her owners and to the people OF two con-
iinents, who had expected t~-njoy some
light racing this year.
--e--
A TRIBUTE.