Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-12-23
NOW FOR a RfACE!.
Owner Of "our Jim" Issues an
Open Challenge.
A silver Cup for fhe BoSt Bons Ia.
Harbor-Y Yacht Club Kales-sloop
"Etrn Seymour" or cn,bon,
ssGuess" Preferred,

The rivalry between small boats in
Norfolk is hot one, and 1t now seems
tnat decisive race must soon be
sailed to settle the question Of which
BOAT is best. Now, this would look
IKE simple matter at first glance,
out 1t Is far from being so in fact, as
the number Of swift craft making
Norfolk harbor their home Is a large
one.
me warmest rivalry lies in a small
triangle, with the skipjack Our Jim {"
the sloop "Etta Seymour" and the cat
boat Guess" filling the corners. Each
two of these three have had a battle
or two, but there has not as vet been
a race satisfactory to the owner of
our JIM" at least, as the following
open challenge will show
For the sake of good sport II is m
De hoped that the owner of one or the
other OF the boats mentioned will nc-
coinmodate Mr.. Edmond, and that
others also may come in, as the door
Is VIDE open. MIR. Edmond's letter
follows:
The recent impromptu race between
the catboat Guess" and skipiacl "Our
Jim" having occasioned SD much com
neht, and to the effect that the latter
snust now give way 10 faster boats of
her class, l respectfully state that, to
my knowledge. "Our JIM" in her
racing outfit, has never suffered de-
feat.
on the occasion referred to, In Sun
days Landmark. December 10th, the
sioop Eta Seymour" with a pro-
Iessional skipper, did outsail 'Our
JIM the latter with foul bottom.
under ordinary working canvas and
handled by an amateur
is equally true that "Our jim"
badly beat '':tta Seymour" from Old
Point to Norfolk one afternoon last
summer. while the squadron was
anchored in the Roads. though not in
formal race. and with working sails
only.
Exactly the same conditions pre-
vailed In the recent race. except that
the catboat Guess" WAS not in the
hands of professional. No measure
ments of the sail areas or boats were
taken I'm either race
While / do not believe that the sloop
Eta Seymour" can outsail Our
Jfm," IL time allowance is NOT given.
yet IN order to have fair race, and
to detract from the honor of the win
ner. each boat entered should give OF
receive the allowance to which She is
Justly entitled. The sloop "IItta Sow
mour' would have to allow .Our Jim
time allowance, and the latter would be
compelled TO give the catboat Guess,
q handicap. Notwithstanding the fact
that she recently won in the race with
Our Jim" under the conditions men
toned above.
shall be very glad to race the
sloop Eta Seymour" and the ca tboat
Guess" and also any other boats
DESTROYS of entering. as in my opinion
the more the merricr."
As am anxious for the contest and
think preparations for the event may
as we'll begin now. l am ready to sub
scribe $40 toward the purchase of n
silver cup for the winner. and If not
enough entries arc made at this figure.
to buy cup suitable for such an
OCCASION I am quite willing to pay
my proportion of any additional
amount required.
I am willing t. race In Hampton
Roads once, or the best two out of
three. either triangular course or to
windward and return. or both. and the
rules for measurement and time allow
ance of any reputable yacht club will
be satisfactory 10 me.
I suggest that the race take place In
May, 1900.
ROBERT EDMOND,
?;