Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-10-04
T0-DAY'S TELEGRAPHIC NEWS
Columbia Wins on Time Limit.

C0ium0ia sailed forth from ner mOOf-
iDgs 10 the Horseshoe this morning to
meet the challenger Shamrock III for
the deciding contest 10 the interns-
tional cup series.
"Will Columbia make it three
straight? was the question put by the
few, and the many, inspired oy yestei-
days victory, declared that che would.
The race yesterday was go clinching 10
its argument that the American was the
better craft that fears for the safety OF
he cup we're dispelled and with that
true American spirit not O few hoped
that Sir Thomas Upton would win
RAGS. Sir Thomas is a gallant sports
man aud his well. wishers among his
American cousins are legion.
The 6rstileg in today's race will be
run before the wiud and with the good
breeze 1t will be q good test 10 this
style OF sailing. Sycamore's only hope
for today's oontes. lies ia the first leg,
as the Shamrock managers consider
without question that Columbia ;s the
better yacht 10 thrash 10 windward.
The race today will be fifteen mile
thrash to wiDdwsrd or leewsrd and re-
turn. At s o'clock this morning the
wind was blowing at all knot clip.
The sea was ss smooth as glass a1d
Everything seemed to conspire to make
IL perfect yachting day.
Near s o'clock the wind increased In
strength and was soon piping along
from 16 to l3 knots and the sea soon
became crossed With whitecaps.
At S:45 the tug Flint took Columbia
10 tow AID started for the Sandy Hook
lightship, followed soon atterward by
Shamrock 10 tow of the tug Lawrence.
A few minutes before 10 o'clock
Shamrock and Columbia reached the
lightship. The wind in the last half
hour fell off trihe. but was still blow
ing at a merry clip.
The committee boat Navigator
hoisted a flag at about 10 O'Clock in-
dicating that the race would be 10 miles
TO leewsrd and return.
At 1920 the regatta committee put
up code flags which indicate the first
course will be south southeast. Tnis
will give the yachts run before the
wind with spinnskers and ballooners
set.
Shortly after 1890 o'clock Shamrock
cast of her tow and stood away towards
the line followed soon afterwards by
columbia.
The wind had lightened to some ex-
tent at 1915 and it was only moderate
sailing breeze OF about 10 knots.
At 1915 the preparatory gun signal
was fred.
At 1856 the warning gun was tired
and the fight between the Englishman
and American was on.
At IL O'Clock the starting gun was
| fired and both boats stood away from
the line, with Colum oia in the lead and
Shamrock to windward.
At HOP the handicap gun was fred.
Columbia went over the line at 1l:O2:3S
and Shamrock at 1l:02:5l.
As neither OF TIE boats crossed within
the handicap time, two minutee) the
time was taken at the handicap gun at
11:O2. Columbia had the advantage OF
the start by Is seconds.
After crossing the line Sycamore, be-
ing to windward OF Columbia, began
to cut the Americans wind aud luf.
fog match followed, Columbia trying
to free herself 90 as to have her wind
clear. Sycamore began to creep up on
the defender. Columbia lost some I
her lead while trying TO lnf out.
At HOO Shamrock began to pull up
rapidly and was soon on even terms
with Columbia. Barr now had his
wind perfectly free ana the Two sloops
stood along rapidly before the wind.
Little by little Shamrock pulled of
ahead of Columbia, but soon Columbia
got under way and passed the Sham.
rock again.
AZ the boats tore along through the
water Columbia again showed her 10
questioned superiority and placed 80
much water between herself and the
Challenger that the Eoglshmen did
not appear to be able TO cut her wind.
At 11:16 Columbia was leading by
nearly a minute.
Shsmrock's spinnaker acted miserab-
ly, and the luff of the sail was wrinkled
badly.
Shamrock then picked up a better
breezs and rapidly closed in on Column
bia go that at 11:22 she passed Columbia.
Shamrock il now moving along like
heeting ghost. Shamrock crew bad
also given the spinnaker pole needed
attention and as q result her spinnaker
filled nicely.
At lbs she had opened up quite
gap between herself aud Columbia
Shamrock was apparently running
away from the AmericsU.
Tee yachts were timed at 11:30 and
Shamrock was found to be leading by
about a minute.
At 11:55 Shamrock had good lead
and was apparently increasing it
steadily.
The yachts made a pretty race Of il
on the run before the wind and over
the last bali of the distance. Columbia
more than held her own.
At 1926 Shamrock led by minute.
The yachts were then about two miles
from the outer mark. The wind had
fallen of to about knots and the sea
was fat. 1t was gu ideal condition for
Shamrock and she was making the most
OF 1t with long thrash to windward
ahead Of her.
The sloops we're nearing the mark at
1910 and Shamrock still held the lead.
10 the light air aud smooth sea she
had fairly whipped Columbia in the
sailing before the wind, having started
IL seconds after the defender.
Shamrock rounded the mark at 12:48.
46. Columbis turned at 12:49:35.
After rounding the mark Shamrock
stood 10 shore on the stsrboard tack
while Columbia came about and filed