Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-08-16
AGAIN COLUMBIA.
She Defeats Defender, 8m.,
81 S., in 21-MiIe Race.
Splendid Close of the Series by New
York Yacht Club.
Amorta Takes Pretty Race from Her Rival
Schooner Quisetta.

Newport II. L., Aug. 15-Under the
clearest of skies and in as fine a ton
sail breeze as one could desire, Column
bih put the finishing touch on her series
Of trail races against Defender in the
presence of the New York Yacht CLUB
fleet, today, winning the 21-mile race
by minutes. 81 seconds The weather
was the finest Imaginable. For once.
however. the spectators We're disap-
pointed, as the fickleness Of the breeze
caused the contest, which looked at the
start as if it was going to be splen-
did one, to develop into q lazy drift
ing match and for hours the pleasure
craft iloated about. while those on
board took maps in the shaded places
or watched the two big sionps. Column
bia and Defender, creep along at
snail's pace
There We're just three reGeeming
features in today's race. the first be-
ing the wonderful start that both big
sloops made. the holly fought luffing
match between Quisetta and Amorita
ard the surprising speed which Co
lumbia showed when there was scarce
~ capful Of wind. The race was
given by the New York Yacht Club as
a windup of the annual cruise 50 far
as racing is concerned ana cups which
Were designated as windup cups We're
offered as prizes for the competing
yachts.
In addition 70 the races between the
schooners ana Scoops. an the 3D-footers
in these waters had a little match Of
their own. the trophy being a hand
some silver cup given by Commodore
j, Pierpout Morgan Of the New York
Yacht club. Then there was consid-
erable interest III the schooner class.
in which Amorita and Quisetta com
pcted. Each Of these fast yachts had
won the same number of squadron
runs during the cruise and 20 settle
this tie, their owners decided to call
today's race the sail off also.
OF course Columbia won from De-
fender and Amorita wan easily from
her rival Quisetta. but for a time 1t
looked like good close match.
The 3o-footers had good time by
themselves. sailing a 14-mile course
and it was through the skillful work
of Cardinals skipper that she Won out
The start made by Columbia and De-
fender has never been equalled by such
large boats in any race. y bare two
seconds separated them when they tore
over the line, carrying clouds Of can
vas loft and they were only p seconds
later than the gun fire in crossing.
For a few seconds they held along on
exactly even terms, but Columbia.
having the weather berth. cut off De
tenders wind just enough to check her
a little and as they both crossed about
Of Columbias hull was
by Defenders bow. In min
ute more Defender was astern and Co
lumbia heading for the flag mark off
Point Judith with a lead Of a good
length. From there on it was simply a
steady gain for the new boat.
In the schooner class ouisetta lead |
across the line. well up to the weather |
end and Amorita crossed third. a half /
minute later. Amorta made up the |
distance between her and her rival soon |
after the start but for a long time I
could not get through her lee. When |
Amorita got the lead they We're able /
to carry their spinnakers down to the |
first mark, when it would have ordi- /
narily been reach.
To add to the interest the small |
sloops sailed pretty race over the
same course. Syce winning from Kes-
trel by comfortable margin.
The immediate future of the yacht
Columbia is a matter of great interest
here just now in view Of the official
of the New York Yacht
Club. at noon tomorrow. 1t was stat
cd. tonight. that the yacht would re-
main at her moorings, until Saturday,
when she will go to Bristol for her
steel mast. Just when this will be
stepped is not known. The racing
plan is yet unsettled. 1t is believed
hat the Columbia will test her steel
mast against Defender during the lat
er part of the month and in so doing
will work her westward. reaching New
York in time for the official trial races
IF Sandy Hook in September.