The sun., 1901-07-31
.NEW RIG FOR DEFENDER |
Manager Duncan Decides to Make
Changes on Yacht Constitution.
NO INCREASE In SAIL AREA.
Latest Defeat by Columbia Demon-
strates That the New Boat In
Actually Slower Than She
Was Two Weeks Ago.

Newport, r. l., July 30.-The yachts
men of the New York Yacht club fleet
spent most of the day talking over
Mondays race for the Astor cup and
the somewhat surprising victory of the
Columbia. The result was certainly
disappointment to large ajority of
the fleet, not so much that Columbia
should have won, but that on each ley
she should have shown her superiority
to the new Constitution.
Nearly every one now has arrived at
the conclusion that the Constitution is
not only in poor tune, but that she Is
actually slower than when she raced
the Columbia and Independence two
weeks ago. 1t was pointed out that in
the last race of the Newport series,
when the Independence broke down,
the wind was almost the same strength
as ON Monday, yet the Constitution
sailed the ten mile leg to windward
several seconds faster than the Column
bia. Monday in the 1S mile beat 10
windward the Columbia was over two
minutes faster than the Constitution.
1t was this poor showing on the part
of the new boat that prompted Mr..
Duncan to decline to race further un-
til the Constitutions rig had been
changed. The alterations were decided
upon two weeks ago, but they might
have been deferred until after the New
port Yacht Racing association events
of this week but for the Developments
of the past week in the sailing of the
Constitution.
Changes VIII Take Week.
1t Is expected that it will take about
week to make the needed alterations
on the Constitution, and then she will
be ready, so her manager believes, to
do herself Justice in the important rae
ing season in the next month and a
half. Mr.. Duncan, in speaking of the
defects Of his charge and the changes
that will be made to remedy them,
says:
1T would be simply waste of time
to race Constitution in her present
shape. | think the gaff swings too
wide and stops her going to windWard
The yachts sail plan will not he alter
I'd by the new rig. A lower mast five
feet longer than he present one will be
stepped, and this will change the head
of the peak halyards. think that
when the sheets are trimmed fiat with
the new rig we will bc able to get the
gaff in. The new topmast Will he short
er than the present one. The mainsai
, will have more hoist, hut there will not
be an inch greater spread of sail"
OF course Constitution will not meet
Columbia and Independence in tho
Newport Yacht Racing associations
contest on Thursday and Saturday OF
this week. Her inability to start viii
not. however, affect the programme fol
| these races, although it will lessen III
| terest in them, for Columbia will meet
Lawson's boat Other events arranged
| for the 80 footers and announced this
week by the regatta committee of the
| New York Yacht club WILL SO far n
| dates are concerned, depend on thu
time it takes to put the Constitution il
! shape. These events are the Newpor
4 special prize races. now scheduled TO b,
sailed on Aug. II and II off Newport
The trial races which will determn,
the America's cup defender for til,
year are scheduled for Aug. 81 anc
Sept. . and 4, off Newport