New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-10-02
DETAILS OF THE CONTEST
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE AT.
TEMPTED RACE-HOW THE TWO
YACHTS ACTED.

The uncompleted race for the Americas Cup
yesterday had its fun its fine weather. and its
instruction for yachtsmen, in spite Of the fact
that IL delayed the question as to which vessel
would eventually win the Americas Cup. The
newest part of the instruction that yachtsmen
received was in reference TO the reaching powers
Of the Shamrock. on which point of sailing the
challenger has never been tested in any salts
factory way this side of the water-neither in
the racing with the Columbia nor in the pre-
nninary speeding off Sandy Hook. The only
times in which the Shamrock has in these
waters shown any tested speeding in reaching
was when she came toward, and just after she
left the wndward mark in Saturdays race. and
both these occasions she outfooted the Co.
lumbia for short distance.
In yesterdays race there reaching at the
end of the first leg and all along in about five miles
Of the second leg. In both of these the Shamrock
increased her lead the Columbia. When she
turned the first ten-ne mark three min
utes ahead of the Columbia. the distance be-
tween them when both got ahead on the second
leg trebed by the Shamrock going out
ahead, and although she may not have laid so
windward the Columbia, she seemed
to be about three-quarters Of a mile in front
when she decided that there was no use in try
ing to finish within the time limit. and headed
off for Sandy Hook.
The result of her performance on the second
leg that yachtsmen a whole We're greatly
pleased with her showing.
The day was complete notification of the
Washington weather report of the preceding
night, which said that the wind would be north
erly in the morning, shifting, diminishing and
becoming variable in the afternoon At the
start the Columbia had the best of the breeze
and pointed UP long way to windward of the
Shamrock, while she also passed faster through
the water. The Upton boat seemed to have a
different wind after the starting gun was fired
and what she had hardly able to move her.
but this was amply compensated for when she
got the southeasterly shift. which made her the
windward boat. 1t not superior sailing that
here gave the Shamrock her lead, but better
judgment in looking for a change Of wind in the
next quarter. There hardly any doubt that
the early northerly winds got softer they
would veer southerly. and Captain Sycamore
only got what he worked for when the Shamrock
was aided after being at first left considerably
in the rear When this wind arrived. starting
the Shamrock's sheets and giving her the chance
10 set a reaching jibtopsail, she steadily went
away from the Columbia until when she left the
race for want of time to finish, she was out in
front by about mile, and the days incomplete
sailing was considered to throw light on
hitherto unknown possibilities In the challeng-
ing yacht. Not all those who saw were satisfied
that these new points would ever mean a victory
for her. but. to judge the whole by the part, IT
is safe to say that every yachtsman who wit
messed the test was convinced that Sir Thomas
Lipton's boat was now more than ever to be con-
sidered exceedingly dangerous craft.
AT THE LIGHTsHIP AT 1O:4O
The yachts were already at the lightship at
1910. The wind then east and the Sham
rock was carrying her jibtopsail The prelim-
mary gun fired ct 1o:45. the warning gun
sounded at 10:55 Before the preliminary gun
fired the flag signals were set up to tell
that the thirty-rnile would be triangular
the first ten-nnile leg to be on a course east and
dead 10 windward, the second leg to be south
southwest. half west, and the third leg TO be
north-ncrthwest, half west. In the mannuvring
for the start Barr finally got the better of it,
though up 10 a moment before he crossed Cap
tain Sycamore seemed to be elected.
The Shamrock after a bad start headed far
TO leeward Of the Columbia's course there being
apparently all Of two points difference I'm the
way they headed UP. At lilo O'Clock there
at least quarter Of a mile OF water be-
tween the boats, and then the Shamrock Law I'd
better. She went into the port tack very slowly
at lilo O'Clock, and one minute later the Co.