The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-08-31
TO DEFEND THE cup
CHOICE OF sLooP,5 TO OPPOSE
SHAMROCK NOWIHANGs IN
THE BALANCE
TRIAL RACES BEGIN TODAY
Designer HerreshOff Has Put COnsti-
tuition in the Best Possible
Trim for the Final
Tests. ... s-,s.-

NEWPORT, r. L, Aug. S0.-The final
series of races between Constitution and
Columbia will begin over the. Newport
course tomorrow Of all the contests
that have taken place between the Ameri-
can boats this season. these are the
most important; for on their result de-
Ponds the selection of the defender to
sail against Shamrock II. in the great
races for the Americas cup off Sandy
hook. No challenge committee of the
New York Yacht club has ever had so
much difficulty in selecting the American
boat. Out of sixteen races already fin
ished, each has now eight and so close
are the two boats IN the matter of speed
that many good yachtsmen say that
whatever the outcome of the trials. it
will still be hard task to choose be-
tween them. The challenge committee
Is now composed of Commodore Louis
Cass Ledyard, chairman; Rear Commo-
dore c. L. F. Robinson. secretary: ].
V. s. Oddie, c. Oliver Iselin, J. Malcolm
Forbes, j. Pierpont Morgan, s. Nicholson
Kane, Edward NJ. Brown and Archibald
Rogers. 1t IS understood that Mr.. J.
Pierpont Morgan, who Is one of the own
ers of Columbia. will either resign from
the committee or take no part in the
selection of the defender Me- E. D. Nor
gan, Columb.a's managing owner has al
ready resigned, and his place was filed
by the appointment of Mr.. Archibald
Rogers. At the finish of the trial races
next Wednesday. the regatta committee,
consisting Of former Commodore s.
Nicholson Kane, Mr.. Chester Griswold
and Mr. Newbury 7 awton. will turn over
to the challenge @.mittee the data re-
garding all the races between Constitu-
ton and Columbia Thus they will take
into consideration all the previous races.
as well as the three trials, and make I'D
their opinion. Butiinasmuch as the two
boats are now even, more depends on
the coming races than on all the others.
Both racers are at their moorings in the
harbor tonight fit for the fray. Constieu-
ton has been put in the best possible
trim by her designer, Nat Herreshoff
whose illness has hitherto prevented him
from devoting his time to the boat
His inability to take part in the man
agement of Constitution has been a seri-
Gus loss, and now that he himself has
been able to prepare her for the trials
her friends expect greatly improved per-
tormances. The last mainsail that was
first tried in the Seawanhaka races will
be retained, as it is by far the best of
an The new boat was given a trial spin
down the bay today, and the sails had
good stretching. The headstays, which
slackened when the boat was hauled out,
were also set tauti and all the rigging
was given thorough overhauling. Co
iumbia also was given final touches to-
day, and both boats are now ready to
show the best speed there Is in them.
Sir Thomas Upton, owner OF the chaI-
lenger. will be- a spectator of the race
on Monday. He has accepted an invita-
ton to be the guest of Commodore Led
yard at dinner on that day, and the event
VIII be made the first official welcome to
the British yachtsman by the officers of,
the New York Yacht club Other guests
Will be the owners of Constitution and
Columbia.