The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-07-01
NEN CUP CHALLENGER PICKING THE WINNERS
KENNETH NJ. CLARK THINKS KA-
RIAD FASTER BOAT THAN
SHAMROCK
WANTS QUESTION SETTLED
DESIRES OPPORTUNITY TO ENTER
HIS BOAT IN PRELIAI-
MARY TRIALS
LIKELY TO CHALLENGE Upton

ROTHESAY, June 3O-A development
as intensely interesting as it was en-
tirely unexpected has occurred concern
ing the challenge for the Americas cup.
This is due to the action of Kenneth NJ.
Clark, owner of the cutter Kariad Mr..
Clark has had three opportunities Of
racing the Kariad against the Sham
rock l., and he has witnessed all the
trials of the two Shamrocks since the
challenger was refitted. His observations
have led him to doubt seriously whether
the Shamrock II. IS good enough to send
to the American waters as a challenger.
He has a belief, amounting to convic
tion, that Kariad is a better boat length
for length, thans the Shamrock IL, and
he desires to see this question settled
before any yacht goes out as a chal-
lenger.
When interviewed today by a represent
attve Of the Associated Press, Mr.. Clark
said he had no desire whatever TO push
himself forward in the matter, and he
hoped to have an opportunity of solving
his own doubts quietly in the ordinary
races in which he expected the two
Shamrocl1s to take part.
1T now appears, however" said Mr.
Clark, that the challenger will only be
tried against the Shamrock I. Even il
both sailed to win, the result would only
show which Of the two eXcelled and
would give no real proof as to whether
either ts the best boat we have avail
able The contest is an international af-
fair in the fullest sense of the word
and for the credit of British yachting
and the good of the sport it is desirable
that the British side of the contest
should be upheld by the best available
boat.
II believe the Kariad Is faster than
either Of the Shamrocks. I may be
wrong, but that is my opinion, and
believe that 1 have excellent reasons for
holding It,
II desire an opportunity to enter the
Kariad i'll the trials. If this request Is
not granted shall challenge Sir Thomas
Upton to trial races between Shamrock
H. and the Kariad, to be sailed over a
course similar to the course of the Amer
ica's cup races and on the American
measurement in order to decide which
should be sent as the challenger"
When asked whether the Kariad was
eligible and whether he would carry the
challenge if the Kariad should prove the
faster, Mr.. Clark said he had no desire
TO go to the United States, but II It
should be proved that Great Britain had
better chance of success through his
boat he was prepared to carry the chal-
lenge through. So far as the eligibility
Of the Kariad was concerned, he said he
understood there would be no serious
difficulty, as the Royal Ulster Yacht club
had lodged the challenge on behalf Of a
cutter under ninety feet water line, and
he was a member Of the club and his
boat answered the description.
IF Sir Thomas Upton has the better
boat" Mr.. Clark concluded II shall be
delighted to stand aside My only de-
sire is to send the fastest British yacht,
and this cannot be determined beyond
question without a trial"
Mr.. Clark, who is chairman Of T. p
Coats, Limited, has owned many steam
yachts. The Kariad is his first big rae
ing cutter. She was built last year from
a Watson design by the Hendersons for
c. d. Rose, who had the misfortune TO
lose two sons in the South African war.
and she was not launched until pur-
chased this year by Mr.. Clark.