The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1901-08-31

oyster Bay, Aug. 26.-The Columbia
giided across the finish line At MIN
Htes past O'Clock for the eighth time
a winner over Constitution. And the
most cordial salute that greeted the
old champion came from the steam
yacht Erin. having on board Sir Thom-
as Upton, who had himself been beat
en- three times by the same boar.
There was no second, for Constitution
had quit After sailing once around
the triangular course OF the Seawan-
haka club with Columbia AZ seconds 4
winner. having gained on every leg.
both boats ran into a terrific rain
squalL They CROPPED about for some
time In the downpour and shifting
oreezes. hardly able TO see two lengths
ahead, At last the weather cleared A
bit Columbia picked up the mark
and stood for IL Constitution, how
ever. had already withdrawn. Having
sent down her big topsaIl she was
headed for Oyster bay. Columbia kept
IN. finishing the race and won the cup.
The race marks the finish OF the
preliminary or tuning up series be-
,ween Constitution and Columbia.
fney now come TO the trial races on
Newport under the auspices Of the
New York Yacht Club. The boat win
ming two out Of three races. provided
there has been a fair test OF speed in
average cup conditions, win undoubt-
eddy be selected by the Americas cup
committee to sail in the international
aces against Shamrock II.
Beginning on July the two candi-
iates for the honor Of defending the
cup have made 10 starts. Out Of these
here have been I6 finishes, an m
usually large number Constitution
has won eight and Columbia eight
But these figures. taken alone. do not
luite represent the respective merits
u the two boats as shown by the con
tests already sailed. A brief review
Il the results show that Constitution
has shown superiority in light breezes
and smooth seas only. Columbia has
never been beaten in anything like .
strong and true wind. with one exeep-
ton. which was on August 10, on New
port. when she suffered a mishap In
hard hammer to win6ward. In the
strongest breeze OF the whole series.
When the accident occurred she was
ahead OF Constitution and II is the
general opinion that she would have
beaten the new boat had she not been
Obliged TO luff into the wind for more
han five minutes However, the per
Torrance OF Constitution on that day
was grand one. The wind blew 70
"a knots at times and she took the
heavy seas and hard puns with q
clubtop sail aloft, In admirable style.
The first race on July was won by
Columbia in a 10 knot Southwestern
On July Columbia became disabled
three miles from the start. where she
had a lead, and Constitution then re
fused TO take q vaIkover. On July 6
and s. in very light airs. at no time
blowing over six knots and most OF
the time under four. Constitution
showed up In wonderful form and
gave the old boat two decisive beat
ings. On the 10th OF July Constitu-
ton started but soon withdrew on &C
count of thick fog. Columbia and In
dependence went over the course. how
ever. unable TO finish within the time
limit. On July IL and IL Columbia
won two victories, one in q nine knot
Southwestern and the other In q fresh
northeaster. Then came the races
during the excursion OF the New York
Yacht Club in the light breeEes OF the
sound. Constitution took three to Co
lumhia's one. On July % Columbia
took the Aston cup on the Newport
course in handsome style and Consti-
tuition went TO Bristol to change her
rig. her managers not being satisfied
with her performance. They next
came together on August 10. in the
hard race already mentioned. On Au-
gust IL Columbia won the time al
lowance in a very close finish In n
light and fiuky wind. They started on
August IA in a light breeze on a wind
ward and leeward course. The wind
fell fat and after four hours OF drift
ing both withdrew, being then on even
terms. Then came the light air Larch-
mont races in the sound on August
l6 and II which Constitution took. one
by large margin and the other by
only IS seconds. The two boats came
to Seawanhaka course and the de-
cisive victory Of Columbia IL still
fresh in the minds Of the yachtsmen.
Today's race, the last OF the long pre-.
Iiiminary series. tells its own story.