New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-11
AN IyCONCLUSrVE CONTEST.

For the second time in the history OF the
Americas Cup an English boat has crossed the
finish line first. Twenty-four years ago, at'er
series Of mishaps for which her antagonist was
not in the least at fault. the American yacnt
Columbia came In fifteen minutes behind the
Liyonia. in the third race Of series or fve
Yesterday the Valkyrie got home first by very
narrow margin. in consequence Of an accidental
foul which unquesuonably cost the Defender
minutes instead Of seconds. From neither OK
these casual exceptions to long established rule
of supremacy can the English yachtsmen have
derived much satisfaction The cup stayed here
IN 1871, and there Is nothing in yesterdays race
TO shake the conviction that 1t Is destined TO stay
here this year. Indeed in the Defenders per
Torrance under the conditions which attended
her from start to finish there is further welcome
evidence OF her superiority. She could not carry
all her canvas at all times when she wanted IT,
nor could she carry II all well AT any uihe
Nevertheless she reduced long lead greatly In
spite Of her embarrassments, and was pretty
close second at the end Of the race. The casualty
Is much TO be regretted. and we have no doubt
that Lord Dunraven shares the Feelings OF
Americans with regard TO 1t. He has said that
he came here to race. and we do not imagine that
he would care to win through the misfortuneS
Of his adversary
But though, all things considered. the result
of Yesterdays contest Is cause for renewed conf
dence rather than for Encouragement, 1t really
solved no riddles There was at times more wind
than the boats felt in any part Of last Saturdays
slow race but there was not enough 10 verify
the expectations which have Justly been formed
OF the Defenders powers, nor to put 10 test
| the Establishments new theory concerning the
| Valkyrie. She was originally described as
gh-weather boat, and that estimate OF her quail
| ity was generally accepted on both sides OF the
| Atlantic She was built, 1t was sah TO meet
| the conditions likely TO prevail of Sandy HOOK
at this season. and the confidence which she In
| spired at home and all the anxiety she occa-
stoned here was due to the suppostlon That she
| would prove to be extremely slippery when just
! suited with light airs. Recently II has been
| represented that different state OF the atmos-
| phere would give her the opportunity that she
was looking for and nice calculations have been
! made to show her adaptation TO heavy weather
1t will be pity II at least one Of the remaining
races does not bring the rivals into such COM
petition Delicate pressures may put the sci
ence OF bodybuilding and the art OF seamanship
to a beautiful test, but there is q natural proper
and keen desire to see how the great yachts
| would behave In hard blow. Not only Is the
spectacle so furnished far more celebrating but
without such trial no demonstration Of SUI
periorlty Is conclusive. All but the seasick will
| pray for at least half gale Of wind on some
| future day.
1t Is a satisfaction to say that familiar cause
Of complaint was not added TO yesterdays uneH-
| Anat of Lon
boats almost without exception behaved remark
ably we'll throughout the contest. general
sense Of decency prevailed against the dspoS-
ton to crowd the racers, and from start TO finish
there was practically no interference Ii was a
| credtabe exhibition Of discipline and courtesy.
for which everybody should be grateful, and
from which it is pleasant TO draw an assurance
| of fair play In the remaining races.