New-York tribune., 1901-09-07
THE CHOSEN COLUMBIA.
COMPLAINTS THAT THE CONSTITUTION
WAS NOT TESTED ENOUGH
CRITICISED
CRITICISED

Although the Columbia has been chosen to be the
defender of the Americas Cup. there are still NUT
terings OF discomfort yet for the part people
convinced that il would be highly unwise TO
defer the selection a later day tnv acpe that
something more might be done to improve tho Con-
stitutiOn- The first challenge race with the Sham
rock is only about fortnight distant. and il -
not suggested that the designer of the Consttu-
ton has any further scheme hand TO make the
craft sail faster She has had all the improvements
that brain could devise, and the sole for
hoping that the decision of the committee might
be delayed is that in some further trial
the new boat might temporarily secure q better
showing. Most yachtsmeh fully persuaded that
such showing could only be secured through luck.
The boats have now sailed tWenty-one races. the
last five OF which won successfully by the
Columbia, though Of these was completed
within the time limit, and the earlier contests
proved that the Columbia as she then sailed was
the superior OF the Constitution in all kinds OF
fresh winds The greatest surprise of the last five
races has been that the Columbia found able
20 defeat the boat in the light breezes In which
the Constitution won her first and only laurels and
TO those looking for evidence to which boat is
the safer to represent the country in the final
challenge races the Columbia supplied much in
struction last Monday, when she beat the Consti-
tuition in light airs. The Columbia had already
vinced everybody that she could beat the Consttu-
ton in heavy winds. and there were none Of
these In the last five races people continued 10
think that the Columbia could beat the Consttu-
tlon IN any klnO weather II the IDEA Is correct
that she did tighten up for a win in those weak
airs she lucky in getting the weather she
played for But in the last of the five races there
A breeze Of miles hour. and. although
this not a heavy wind, still the Columbia evi-
IDENTIFY wanted some Of her previous power. and ap
parenty did not have IL. and did worse with the
Constitution than she did on previous occasions in
the amount Of wind.
This. however Is not meant 10 suggest that the
Constitution ought to have had further trials, or
tnat the Columbia ought not 10 have been selected,
frcce n ~ rs W%I1e h9Te hi
friends and supporters viii admit that she never
sailed two days alike. and that where she
seemed 10 be strong at times she always got beaten
afterward. Yet IL Is interesting question
whether the Columbia. IN preparing for the light
weather she got in the last five. at least four.
of the races. did not unit herself. temporarily, for
success with heavy weather boat. Even In
fairly stiff breeze like that Of last Wednesday she
managed beat the Constitution. and II IS fully
open to her to take little more ballast for the
races with the Shamrock. hut the general belief
now prevalent that the Columbia is perfect
wonder in both light and heavy weather. may be
seriously questioned. II may be nearer the truth
70 say that the Columbia IS remarkably fine in any
weather she prepares for, and not that she stands
win in both kinds.