The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-08-18
Gains on the Old Boat from start to
Finish, Twice Around n Triangle
on the Larchmont Club.
ALL CONDITIONS FAVORABLE
WIND STEADY AT BETWEEN EIGHT
AND Il KNOTS.
Constitution Does Her Best Work I'm
Reaching-Indepepdence Is still
Lying on Newport.

race between the Constitution and the CO.
lumbia was only a matter of seconds. For
the fourteenth time the two yachts fin
ished a contest and for the eighth time the
Constitution came out a winner. To-day's
margin was small, for she beat the Column
bia only fif~ty-eighth seconds. The race was
sailed under conditions that best suited the
Constitution. a steady eighth-knot breeze
and a smooth sea. 1t was finished in three
hours and three minutes. very nearly a
ten-knot gait. which was fast time. con-
sidering the wind and the fact that twelve
miles OF the course called for windward
work, although ii was not a dead beat.
The Constitution gained on her rival on
every leg. doing best in reaching. 1t was a
fair test of speed, as the boats got the
wind throughout and there was little 10
choose in the handling. 1t represents about
what the new Constitution can do against
the old, under the conditions which pre-
vailed. and while many yatchsmen who
have followed the boats are disappointed
that the difference between them was not
greater. quite as many more are satisfied
that the Constitution. before the trying out
IS over. will have proved sufficient super
iority to warrant her selection as the cup
defender. The crowding of the course to-
day by steam yachts, small sail boats and
aunches was the only unpleasant feature
of the racing. Time after time the com
mittee warned off the encroaching boats
and once half a dozen Constitution sailors
were yelling at steam yachts 10 get out OF
the way of the big sloops. The racing was
SO close at all times that a small boat COM
ing too close could have changed the re-
suit.
The race was an altogether picturesque
affair. Every turn could be seen from the
Larchmont Clubhouse. Hundreds OF craft
of every description followed the boats
twice around the triangle, and, taken as a
whole, 1t was a spectacle seldom seen IN
the sound. The day came in warm ana
muggy, and the start was postponed TO
10 o'clock. At that time the fog had cleared
up and a good steady southwest wind was
blowing. The course chosen was a beam
reach Of six miles. a beat of six miles with
a long and a short leg, and a broad reach
Of three miles, twice around. The start
two yachts. as they got off only two sec
onds apart. The official time of the start
was: Constitution, 1:O5:09: Columbia, l:O5:ll.
The reach down To the first mark was
cred the six miles in forty-three seconds
less than the Columbia. After rounding.
the Constitution made a short tack in shore
and came about on the weather bow of
the Columbia just as the old boat luffed
around the mark. Both boats now stood
down on a long starboard tack toward the
viz aAA1N Va 49, NH|
was seen to be doing better close-hauled
and when halfway down to the next mark
went clean through the Constitutions lee.
romping off with a good hard full. The
Constitution. however, pointed we'll up and
kept her windward position. Coming out
into the bay, the new boat caught the fresh
wind first and added materially to her
lead. Both boats were able to make the
second mark with one long and one short
mark one minute and nine seconds ahead
of the Columbia.
The wind was now about the best OF the
day and was blowing we'll up TO ten knots.
Both boats came over to the home marx
off Larchmont on a broad reach with big
jib topsails and balloon stay sails. On this
short leg of three miles the Constitution
added only a second TO her lead. After
rounding the buoy and starting over the
course the second time the Constitutions
men had trouble In shooting home the big
the wind for over a minute. The wind
still held and the two boats ran 10 the first
mark, a six-mile leg in less than half an
mark: Constitution. 3:O5:35; Columbia.
3:o7:25.
The Constitution had added forty seconds
more to her lead. Both went about on the
port tack Immediately after rounding and
stood down the Long island shore for a
long board. Half way down four or five
steam yachts got directly I'm the path Of
vigorous whistling 10 warn them off the
course. The Constitution. having a good
lead, got out from unueT the neaOldnQS
and into the open bay and was first 10 get
the increasing breeze. They tackled around
the mark and stood for the finish line as
follows: Constitution. 3:5o:W; Columbia,
1852: 10.
On this leg the Constitution had gained
twenty seconds more. Both broke out bal
loon jibs and .spinnakers for the run in,
the wind having shifted a bit into the
south. at the same time coming lighter.
The finish was as follows: Constitution,
4:0S:23: Columbia, 4:10:43.
Both racers got a boisterous salute and
repeated cheers from the attendant feet.
The last race in the LarchmOnt series will
be sailed on Monday. The two yachts will
then go TO Oyster Bay for the Seawan-
haka events on Thursday and Saturday.