The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-07-21

measurement rule by which the yachts
are rated is that of the New York Yacht
club, and 1t is, according to modern IDEAS
a most unsatisfactory formula because
1t has tendency to produce a bad and
unseaworthy type of boat. The original
battle of the types, English and Amerj-
can, has long since become entirely Oh
scurcd, and today the contest is merely
watson VS.. Herreshoff, governed by a
rating rule under which neither designer
can do himself justice. This is the chief
evil that casual observers see in the
Americas cup, hut there are other
drawbacks which are apparent
to every yachtsman. During the
present season some or the old
established home regattas have been
sacrificed to the International chalengers,
the Glasgow exhibitions special races
for these yachts baYing been organized
in the middle Of the principal Thames
fixtures.
Such Innovations are strongly to he
condemned, and it Is equally important
If yacht racing is to be kept pure. that
no heed should be given to any attempt
or interference on the part of ignorant
laymen. What would be said if some
newly made millionaire, having no knowl-
edge Of horsehesh, were to attempt to
dictate to the stewards of the Jockey
r3C.ngI
How ridiculous, indeed, would It appear
If similar person, never having handled
bat in his life, We're to claim a right to
discuss with the committee Of the M. c.
G. the laws of cricket? Avowedly the
public and the press would not be slow
TO criticize in unmeasured terms thu
lmpert hence Of the remarks Of any
such self-const 'tuted Judge. Unfortu-
nately, the public and the press have an
1yf,p
ing, and high-sounding sentiments and
statements, however ridiculous. are al
ways readily re tcTated by the daily
journals when they relate to the capa-
bilities of cup chaIlengers or defenders
Ioday we hear of a transatlantic race
between international cutters; to12or-
row some equally fabulous statement
Will be afoot, promulgated presumably
with no other object than to bring motor
iety to is author. Such fancies are par
ticulariy painful to yachting men, and we
think That If the facts were more widely
understood they would be equally nau-
seous to all sportsmen
The vessels built for the Americas
cup, about which SO much has been
sald. are fne-weathcr machines of the
most exaggerated type, having no claim
TO be described as seawcrthy craft and
the suggestion that they could with
SAFETY cross the Atlantic in bad weather
unaer racing canvas IS an empty boast
The persons who have sung the praises
or these yachts 50 loudly before the event
are not only lacking in knowledge of the
theoretical SIDE Of tho subject, which they
would lave to acquire before their opin-
IONS would carry weight, but they do not
possess the elementary qualifications Cf
practical yachtsmen. 1t is undeniabIe
that the international trophy had a BIN
eirc'al influence on yacht racing in by-
gone years. but at the present time
the Americas cup Is doing more harm
than good to yachting. When the race
was less popular. and the real issues were
not obscurod by national sentiment
1t was rightly regarded as a notable
sporting event by yachtsmen. Now
adays we hear nothing but expressions
OF dissatisfaction and annoyance at the
raise and unsatisfactory position which
has been assigned to the America CUP
among the principal sporting events OF
the world.