The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-08-30
YACHT SMEN ARE NERVOUS
Valkyrie III Shows Great Speed in
an Exhibition Sail.
DEFENDER AND VlGILANT RACE
Tho New Boat Proves Superior TO the
Other Guardians Of the Cup-De-
fSnder's Record for Accidents
Is. still Unbrokeu.

New York, Aug. 29.-The severe drub-
bing which the Defender administered
to the Vigilant In the second of the Otfi-
cial trial races today. has had the ef-
feet of considerably reviving the hopes
of yachtsmen in this city. which have
been dropping somewhat since the
syndicate boat broke down In her last
race and failed to finish. 1t was evil
dent that she was much improved by
the sub stitution of a thicker stick for
her old one, and she was able to carry
"a medium sized club top SAN through
the squall which struck the two boats
on the last leg. standing up as stitf and
straight as need be. The Vigilant was
beaten over every leg of the camille
course and finished eighteen minutes
three seconds behind the Defender.
Nearly half of this difference, however,
was due TO the fact that the wind died
down to nothing just after Defender
had crossed the finishing line and while
the Vigilant was still on her way in.
The report which has been persistent
ly circulated to the effect that the De-
fender has been held back In all her
previous races with the Vigllant In or
der to disguise the real extent OF her
superiority was Immediately revived
after today's contest. and there were
plenty of yachtsmen who wagged their
heads and and said: ~ told you So"
1t ts more probable. however, that the
improved form shown by the yacht Ia
due entirely to the changes which have
just been made in her. The new boat
kept up her record for accidents by
splitting her jib on the last leg. The
cloth was quickly replaced by another
one and the mishap was Of slight conse-
quence.
The Vaikyrie Appears.
An additional element of interest
was lent to the race by the appearance
ON the course of the challenger, Val
kyrie Ill. 1t was the first opportunity y
that any one has had to see the rival
yachts sailing anywhere near each
other, and it was eagerly embraced by
the enthusiasts. Yachts and tugs
closed In around the Dunraven cutter
until 1t seemed as though she hardly
had room for sailing.
Peculiar wind conditions served ia
make this appearance of the Valykrie
almost q sensational one. She seemed
to be overhauling the two American
yachts with ease. She was about q
miles and a half behind them at the
starting of the race. While they were
drifting along IN the lehteSt or airs,
the Valkyrie crept upon them, bring
ing a breeze with her. Inside of an
hour she had approached to within less
than half a mile of the Vigilant, and
the faces of the spectators length
ened. Then she ~ into the CLASSY
area with the other yachts and slowed
down. She continued to gain on the
Vigilant, however, for a few minutes
gt .,la tv,tn hn co, q
weather conditions. The Defender
was also gaining perceptibly on the
Vigifant at the same time, and the
Valkyrie, not wishing to give the
Americans too good line on heI
speed. put about and went back ur
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 gold cup than
any of her predecessors.