Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-07-01
SIR THOMAS HAS A RIVAL
KENNETH CLARK, OWNER OF KA-
RIAD. SAYS SHAMROCK II IS SLOW.
He Will Challenge for N Race If Not
Permitted to Enter
sthe Trials.

cablegram from Rothesay last night
says:
development as intensely interesting as
it was entirely unexpected has occurred
| concerning the challenge for the Americas
cup. This is due to the action of Kenneth
Nj. Clark, owner of the cutter Kariad.
Mr.. Clark has had three opportunities of
racing the Kariad against the Shamrock l,
and he has witnessed all the trials Of the
two Shamrocks since the challenger was
| ref1tted. His observations have led him to
doubt seriously whether the Shamrock II Is
good enough to send to American waters
| In challenge for the cup. He has a belief
amounting to a conviction that the Kariad
Is better boat, length for length, than
the Shamrock II. and he desires to see this
question settled before any yacht goes out
as challenger.
When interviewed today by a representa-
tive of the Associated Press Mr.. Clark said
ne had no desire whatever to push himself
forward In the matter. and had hoped to
nave an opportunity Of resolving his own
DOUBTS quietly in the ordinary races In
which he expected the two Shamrocks to
take part.
1T now appears. however," said Mr..
clark, that the challenger will only be
tried against the Shamrock 1. Even II both
sailed to win, the result would only show
which OF the two excelled and would give
no real proof to whether either Is the
pest boat we have available. The contest
is an International affair in the fullest
sense OF the word, and, for the credit of
Is desirable that the British side Of the
| contest should be upheld by the best avail
able boat.
II believe the Kariad is faster than either
or the Shamrocks.. 1 may be wrong. but
that Is my opinion. and I consider that l
have excellent reasons for holding it.
VIII Issue Challenge.
Il desire opportunity to enter the
kariad In the trials II this request Is
not granted I shall challenge Sir Thomas
Upton to trial races between the Sham
rock II and the Kariad, to be sailed over
courses similar to the course for the Amer
ica's cup, and on the American measure
ment, in order to decide which should be
sent as the challenger"
When asked whether the Kariad was
eligible and whether he would carry
through the challenge If the Kariad should
prove the faster. MIR. Clark said he had no
desire to go to the United States, but If 1t
should be proved that Great Britain had
a better chance Of success through his oost,
he was prepared to carry the challenge
through. So far as the eligibility of the
kariad was concerned, he said he under
stood there would be no serious difficulty,
as the Royal Ulster Yacht Club had lodged
the challenge on behalf of a cutter under
ninety feet water line and he was MEM
Der of the club and his boat answered the
description.
III Sir Thomas Upton has the better
boat Mr.. Clark concluded, II shall be de-
lighted to stand aside. My only desire is
to insure the sending Of the fastest British
yacht. and this cannot be secured beyond
question without "a trial"
Mr.. Clark. who is chairman Of j. P.
Coates. Limited has owned many steam
yachts. The Kariad IL his first big racing
cutter. She was built last year to a Wat
son design by the Hendersons for c. D.
Rose. who had the misfortune to lose two
sons in the South African war; and she
was not launchedsu until purchased this year
by Mr.. Clark.