Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-08-17
THE COLUMBIA LAGS
Constitution Takes and Holds the
Lead OF Larchmont.
ANOTHER DAY OF LIGHT WINDS
Race is Twice Over a Tr an gle of
Smile Legs.
G o Mt EST IN ALL

LARCHMONT, N. Y. August 1.-THE
seemed to hang persistently over this end
of Long Island sound showed little signs
early this morning of being dissipated by a
breeze before the starting hour of the Sec
ond race Of the Larchmont series between
the Constitution and the Columbia.
Early in the day the sound was dense
with fog. which gradually gave way to
thinner mist, but at o'clock there was
very little movement In the air. and only
the dim outlines of the Constitution an
chored at the entrance Of the harbor, could
be discovered.
Still the yachtsmen were not at all dis
couraged over these seemingly poor condi-
tons. They had seen the two yachts make
good progress in yesterdays light airs, and
this morning they were still talking over
the wonderful exhibition of the Constitu-
ton in sailing the last three miles in eigh-
teen minutes. speed of over eight knots
an hour in almost a fiat calm.
If these two cup defenders could cover
the thirty-miie course in close to four hours
in a breeze which averaged less than three
they should not be started today in the
Hghtest kind of sir. Preparations were
therefore made to start the yachts as soon
as there was enough wind to send them
across the line with any kind Of speed.
Decision to Have a Race.
The Constitution had her anchor up by
Has. but it took her half an hour to set
her club topsail. The committee reached
the starting line about noon and decided
that the yachts should sail the same course
as yesterday; that is, twice around If
teen-mile triangle.
The warning signal was given at o'clock,
with both yachts to the leeward Of the line.
beating up. The Columbia was to wind
ward and seemed to be In better position.
They came up behind the committee boat
at the north end Of the line. The Columbia
was first to swing of for the line on the
starboard tack, the Constitution following
soon after.
and were right at the line when the signal
was given at los. The wind then was
about seven knots. from the southwest.
The start was beautiful one, and all in
favor of the Columbia for Captain Barr
berthed his boat right on the Constitutions
weather quarter, and with started sheets
the two yachts rushed across the line, the
Constitution leading. but the Columbia in
The Race In Detail.
The two yachts have started in their race
around a triangular course Of fifteen miles.
five miles to each Leg the course to be
sailed twice over. The starting time as
seen from shore was:
Constitution, 105:0S.
Columbia 1852.
The Constitution luffed around the first
mark at 1850, The Columbia at 1860.
The Constitution went about on the port
tack. the Columbia going about 80 seconds
later.
There is a fresh breeze from the south
west The Constitution Is in the lead by
about six lengths.
At AS the Constitution was apparently
leading by about a quarter Of a mile. .
Probably the closest bit Of racing ever
done by the Constitution and Columbia oc-
CURED during the twenty minutes after
rounding the first mark. The Constitution
tackled to port a few seconds after turning
the mark, and the Columbia stood on and
tried to get the weather berth. but finding
the Constitution going ahead too fast. Capt.
Barr put the Columbia on the port tack
also. For the next ten minutes the two
yachts sailed almost as one. the Columbia
being to leeward Of the new boat only
about six or ten lengths. They sailed along
on this port tack for twenty minutes On
such even terms that their sails appeared
almost as one boat. At o'clock they dis
appeared from view Of the observer here.
The Constitution was still in the weather
berth. but the Columbia seemed to be pass
ing through her lee.