Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1899-10-03
SHAMROCK
IN LEAD
The Columbia Is BecaImed
-England's Pride Still
Sails.
BOTH BOATS ARE CLOSE
Unless Conditions Change Amer
ica's Pride VIII Be
Humbled. ii

New York, Oct o.-The first race of
a series for the American cup between
the Columbia and Shamrock proved
the most remarkable Of any yet sailed
for this great trophy. A. light
breeze prevailed, varied in spots by
a puff or two, and in turn both boats
enjoyed the benefit and suffered by a
change in positions. Excursion boats
of which there were hundreds, inter
fered in a measure with the progress
of racers and in this respect the Co.
start follows: The Shamrock 11:15-
35 Columbia 11:16:20. The Sham
rock gained a hundred yards at the
start and increased the lead during
the first hour. The Columbia's sails
did not set properly. Suddenly how
ever, with a change of sail and puff
of a breeze the American cup defend
er took ON new life and within few
minutes she overhauled her rival and
was pushing her white nose through
the water at rapid rate outfooting
the challenger and gaining at every
dip of her nose They rounded the
mark as follows Columbia, 1888: As;
shamrock, 1:40:11. Enthusiasm was
Wild On the beat back there was a
succession of small tacks, the Colum-
bia making a move for five with the
Shamrock until about 2:45
when with the Shamrock stand
ing off shore the Columbia split tacks
with her, keeping on In shore for ten
minutes. This was an unfortunate
move for the Columbias skipper for
but shifted to the eastward, so the
Shamrock which lacked, at 2:46, was
greatly benefited by the change. The
Shamrock gained by this combination
of circumstances, a lead which she hs1
lost in the curly part of the race. AT
o'clock the wind died down to thr, g
knot breeze and with about eight miles
t. go 1t hardly looked as though the
race could be sailed within the five and
a half hour limit. At $3.50 the boats
were off the highlands, five miles from
the finish mark, with the Shamrock
SLIGHTLY In thelead.
Highlands, Oct. 3.-At 1l:l2 the
starting gun was fired. The Shamrock
apparently crossed the line at 11:l5:30,
the Columbia at 1l:l5 30. At II 80 q.
m. the Columbia appears to be gaining
slightly, although at 1921 a. m. the
Shamrock led the Columbia by about
200 yards. 1903 p. m.-The Shamrock
now leads by half mile. 215 p. m.-
The Columbia is now gaining rapidly
on the Shamrock Both boats have
gybed, the Columbia increasing speed
and has now passed the Shamrock.
Galilee, 1929 p. m.-The Columbia
has caught the Shamrock and is get
ting out by her on the starboard side.
She seems to be going like an express
train. 12:43 p. m.-Fhe Columbia is
still increasing her lead, which is over
half mile.
Long Branch, | p. m.-The Sham
rock appears to be gaining slightly.
The wind is freshening.
Galilee, 10l p. m.-The Columbia
leads the Shamrock by two minutes
and nine seconds and is evidently run
ming away from her rival. AS the
wind picks up she moves faster.
Ao lOi y l. olhy 1s1O p III hO W.
lumb is leading by u big margin.
She is now heading for the stake boat.
Her lead is constantly increasing.
Highlands of Navesink, 1893 p. NJ
The Columbia turned the stake at 1893
p. m. The Shamrock. at 40 p. m.
Long Branch, 1:46 p. m.-The Co.
lumbia is pulling away from the Sham
rock. The wind is freshenipg.
Highland, 2:14 p. m.-The wind has
decreased. The Shamrock appeared TO
have overtaken and passed the Column
bia. 2:25 p. m.-The Shamrock seems
TO have a good lead over the Columbia
as seen when they went about on the
port tack.
GaliIee, 2;37 p. m.--The Columbia is
leading by small margin, the Sham
rock giving her fight Their positions
may change any minute. Both are
jockeying.
Galilee, 2:5S p. ni.-The Columbia is
losing ground The Shamrock has
struck a fresher breeze. The Column
bia seems almost becalmed while the
Shamrock is going ahead.
Galilee, 1903 p. m.-The Shamrock
now seems to be leading the Columbia.
The Columbia Is stilled in the streak OF
the calm.