Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-08
ARE AT IT AGAIN
Columbia and Defender Sailing a
Thirty-Nine- Mile Race.
WHOLE SAIL BREEZE BLOWING
Very Close Contest Progressing in
Long Island Sound.
NEW YACHT LEA DING

NEW YORK. July s.-The conditions early
today for the trial races between the yachts
Columbia and Defender of Larchmont
were most unpropitious. A thicker fog
than that which enveIoped land and water
has rarely been experienced. but there were
indications of a freshening wind by mid
day, to carry away the fog by the time
set for the starting Of the race The con-
test today was for a $50 cup, offered by
the I4arChmont Yacht Club The course
planned was a triangular one OF thirty-
eight miles. starting just outside of Larch-
mont harbOr, with a turning buoy OH
Stamford another at the breakwater at
Hampstead on the other side of the sound
and then back to the finish line with re-
peat The triangle was therefore of nine
teen miles. eight miles on two sides ana
three miles on the other
Preparing for the Race.
Mr.. IseIin and party went aboard the
Columbia about 10 am Mr., Duncan and
his party did not board the Defender until
nearly IL O'Clock. Both yachts swung
Iazily at their mOorings until after the noon
hour. Preparations for the days work be
gan aboard the Columbia first The sail
covers were taken off, and at IL O'Clock the
huge mainsail slowly began to rise. the
crew walking it up. with seeming care, IL
being the idea. if possible. to secure better
setting sails than or Thursday A nttle
later work began on the Defender. The
lib was sent up in stops first and then up
went the huge nainSail Meantime the
Columbia was sending up her jib topsaiL
The yachts were still at noon hanging on
to their mOOringS- The sun had burned
of the fog somewhat. but still only seven
mile vision was possible y light north
eastern breeze was blowing. the many
yachts under sail just nUllinS along. There
was not a ripple on the water. and the pros
pact for good breeze seems poor
Good Breeze Springs Up.
Afte- long wait the wind came out from
the southwest and at Flo both yachts
slipped their nIoorings and came down to-
ward the start about a mile from where
they had their mcorinEs under mainsail,
club topsaiI and jib.
At 12:2o the breeze had increased per
Cepthy. and accompanied by fleet of lit
Tie fellows, the boats reached for the start
ing hnv- The fog still huEg low on the
water to the eastward, bur over on thu
Long Island shore it quite clear. AT
I'D fo-estaysa1is were hOiStcd on both
yachts The wind sun increased 10 a good
WhD.e ;dii breeze about west southwest. and
the yachts hae!Cd well down as they reach
ed across the bay.
The preparatory whistle was sounded at
1870 O'Clock and course number l hOiSted
deIOtiHE that the yachts would 20 off be-
fore the wind to the eastward with beat
back from the Long Island buoy to Hemp
stead harbrr buoy.
LufIing Match Follows Start.
Captain Rhoads sent the Defender across
the line Just II seconds after the whistle
blew at I2:lG. IL. and the Columbia crossed
twelve seconds later, at 12:4u.53. both boats
breaking out big jib topsails just before
crossing.
The closeness of the start naturally re
suited in q stiff IufinS match and for fiv,
minutes the boats headed over TO the Lon:
Island shore until they had sailed over
mile from the start and were half a mil
off the course Defender bad still the hes
of il, but at IaSt Captain Barr, seeing
chance for Il free wind, swung off and head
cd for the first mark eight miles off. Tn
Columbia drew ahead a bit, but il was no
FIVE minutes before the boats We're again
hard at work on another Iutfing match. b
this time, while the boats were haIf-wa,
across the sound. they had not sailed d mil
toward the first mark, stiff was the Iuf
ing match
shade the Best for Columbia.
After fifteen minutes of hard sailing in
1iae WHOLESALE breeze. there was but littI
difference between the boats, with the Co
lUmbia shade in the lead. Passing Ry
The Columbia a couple of length
ahead. and each boat was being sent aIon
with hne breeze
Columbia Two Minutes Ahead
NEW YORK, July S.-Columbia rounde
the third mark. finishing the first round
the coIrse at 2.1O:30 ard Defender q
2.l2:2a;- Both boats then started on the Sc,
cnd roInd Of the course.