The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-11-18
FOR THE AMERICA 5 CUP
INTEREST is GENERAL IN THE Sc
RIES OF RACES NEXT
AUGUST
SHAMROCK IS CHALLENGER
Will Be Commanded by Capt. syca-
mOre-The New Defender. az Yet
Unnamed, VIII BE Built by
the HerreshOffs.

The challenge of Sir Thomas Upton
through the Royal Ulster Yacht club has
set agog the lovers of sailing craft on
two continents. Never before perhaps
has the challenge for the America cup
been so favorably received by the New
York Yacht club. This is due principally
70 the amicable understanding between
the two clubs, and the agreeable per
sonnet of the man who Is to furnish the
wherewith to build the new challenger.
The challenge came Unexpectedly on
Oct. II, proceeded by a cable dispatch
on Oct. 8, the first annOuncement that Sir
Thomas Upton had decided to try again
for the cup next year. A special meet
ing Of the New York Yacht club was held
on Oct. Is, Commodore Ledyard preSid-
ing, and a large number of members
being present The challenge was in the
name of the Royal Ulster Yacht club
of which Sir Thomas Upton is member
The terms are the same as in the Val
kyrie III-Defender match of 1895, and the
Shamrock-Columbia match OF last year.
The new challenger will be of ninety foot
waterline, and named Shamrock II. The
match Will include a series of three out
Of five races, all to be sailed over open
water courses outside of Sandy Hook
Each course will be thirty nautical miles,
alternately windWard and leeward and
triangular.
NAIL IN <AO1OOI
The one important change from prev
ious years is the month, August being
named by the challenger 1t will be re-
membered that last year the races We're
sailed In October. later date than usual.
The three matches of 1885 and 1887 were
sailed in September, as We're those of
1893-1S95, but in view of the Gains and
light winds encountered each year, the
challenger requested a later date for the
ysne.k ,%oI1
month of October last year was marked
by clear, warm weather, and no wind,
the two yachts, Shamrock and Columbia,
with a large attendant fleet going out
eleven different days before the three
successive wins of the Columbia decided
the possession of the cup for the time
being. The change to August may or
may not bring better racing weather,
there is a possibility of a West Indian
hurricane along the Atlantic coast I'm
the latter part Of the month, but beyond
this the weather Is apt to be clear, hot
and calm.
The new challenger has been matter
of continual study with Sir Thomas Lip
ton ever since the defeat of Shamrock
and his plans are carefully perfected. but
thus far they are known only to himself
He has announced that he VIII have a
new cutter, designed by G. L. Watson
and that she will bear the name of the
old boat, Shamrock, also that she will
be handled by Capt. Edward Sycamore.
In addition to this Will Fife Jr., designer
of Shamrock l. as she must now be
called, will have a free hand in altering
here for series of trial races with the
new boat, and it is just possible that
both may be seen on this side. In view
of Mr. Watson's thorough experience in
composite construction, and Of the many
fine yachts built from his designs after
his method by D. w. Henderson & Co,
of Glasgow, 1t is possible that Shamrock
II will be built by this firm of both
wood and metal. AS to her model, 1t is
safe to say that she will be a keel cut
ter of very similar dimensions to Column
bia.
ONE CAPTAIN ONLY.
The question of a skipper for a cup
Is a very important one. in
view of the men who are almost GER
tain to be at and about the wheel of the
American boat. The party always in
cluded the designer, the owner, several
of the hest American amateurs, and the
best skipper obtainable. In the Valkyrie
III and Shamrock, the designers were
not on board, the owners were not prac-
teal Nachtsmen, and the entire manage
nent of the racing was left to the pro-
fessional shippers, OF whom there were
two. The division of work and response
biity is a new idea in yachting. and in
neither case did it work satisfactorily.
Next year Sir Thomas Upton will have
but one skipper for each boat. The new
boat will be in the charge of Capt.
Edward Sycamore, one of the leading
English shippers, an associate of Capt.
Crownfield, on VallIrie III In 1895. In
addition to the valuable experience of
American racing having been thus OBJ
tanned, he spent three months in this
country last summer watching the new
seventy footers and other yachts.
A special committee including the
officers and some of the other members
of the New York Yacht club, was ar-
pointed, and the challenge has been ac-
cepted. The new defender will be built
by the Herresheffs, and Columbia, and
possibly the Defender, Will be fitted out
and raced against her.