Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1901-09-11
SELECTION 0FC0LU
Views Of Yachtsmen on the Old
Racing Queens Chances.
THINK CUP CONTEST WILL BE CLOSE

! Commodore Adams Says Sir Thomas
L.-ton Has an Even Chance to Win.
| Naval Architect Points Out How the
Columbia Ii Superior to the Consti-
| tuition.
LION has the best chance to lift
the cup that the other side ever had"
said Commodore Frederick T. Adams
of the Larchmont Yacht club when
seen the other day by New York
Times reporter shortly after 1t became
known that the Columbia would de-
fend the international cup. 1.-THE races,
| believe, will be very close. the closest
we have ever had. The chances, to
my mind, are equal. 1t will be even
money in the betting; but, of course,
hope that Columbia will win. l have
no criticism to make upon the action of
the committee. 1t Is composed Of com.
petent men, able yachtsmen, and l
know they have carefully weighed ev.
cry point before determining that Co.
iumbia Is the better boat.
1.-THE Constitution is disappoint.
ment in that she has not come up to
expectations, but I consider Columbia
years ago. She has been improved and
has the grand advantage Of crew
that works her to a nicely. l think
am stating the truth In saying that
ever since Sir Thomas Upton arrived
here he and his friends have feared
the Columbia more than the Constitu.
ton.
II consider Shamrock IL. vastly SUI
perior boat to Shamrock l. The chal-
lenger is one of the handsomest boats
Of her kind that have ever seen, and
think she has just as good chance
MS the Columbia to win, but l do not
believe there is any valid proof to base
the assumption that the new boat Is
ten minutes faster than Shamrock 7.
, Watson. the new Shamrock's designer,
has said that Columbia is better boat
than the Constitution, and l do not
think the Upton forces We're very
much surprised at the decision. 1t
practically guarantees the closest kind
Of yacht racing
| Commodore Adams has been guest
of Sir Thomas Upton recently and has
had ample opportunity to inspect the
challenger, and his assertion that the
chances are even Is based upon actual
knowledge Of the good points of both
boats. When asked if he believed Her
reshoff had reached the limit of speedy
yacht designing, he unhesitatingly re-
piled that he did.
"Herreshoff had every means at his
hand to do his best and unlimited cap.
tal behind him." said Commodore Adj
ans, "but the Constitution has not
shown any all around superiority over
the old boat. The Columbia, therefore,
stands as the best example Of Here
shoffs yachting ability"
Percy Chubb said: 81 think the
Shamrock's chances of winning are
considerably frightened by selecting
the Columbia. l am not yet ready to
admit that the latter is faster than the
Constitution, but under present condl-
tons she is assuredly better fitted for
tile cup race than the new yacht. The
trouble with the Constitution, l believe,
has been with her sails. Size never
had such set Of sails as Il boat of her
style should have. Herrcshoff has been
Sick and unable to give much attention
to the boat, and he has not given her
proper sails. 1t is a difficult matter.
know. to tit a boat like the Constitu-
ton. That trouble has been her great
weakness. The Columbia is in fine
shape now. and l expect her to Win"
There was no criticism of the COM
mittee among tie yachtsmCn who were
spoken to OH the selection Of the Co
their minds apparently that the Co
lumbia was the better boat, but several
had expected that in view of the Con-
ttitution's better showing in the second
race, combined with her unfortunate
tail accident, another trial race would
be held. Still Oh this point there was
scarcely any criticism, for 1t was ac-
knowledged that the time was getting,
late.
One practical yachtsman who did not
wish to be quoted said that it was
quite likely the committee in making
Its decision before another trial had
taken into consideration the handling
Of the boats, which has been vastly su-
perior on the Columbia. Its crew has
been better than the men sailing the
Constitution, as several changes have
taken place in the crew Of the latter
boat. On the other hand. the Column
bias crew know their boat perfectly
and can be depended upon to get every
Inch Of speed out Of her. This there.
fore, made a strong point In selecting
the old boat, it was believed. The
; speaker was also inclined to believe
that Herreshoff had done his best with
the Columbia and could not improve
upon her. Watson has made the
Shamrock close copy Of the Column
Iia," he added. land If Herreshoff can
lot improve upon her l am sure Wat