Evening star., 1901-07-29
COLUMBIA IN FRONT
Big SIoops Sail Today for the Astor
Cup.
AROUND TEE BLOCK ISLAND COURSE
Constitution Over Two Minutes
Behind at Second Mark.
GOOD BREEZES BLOWING

BATEMAN'S POINT. r. l., July 29-In
| a 1O-knot breeze, and with other indica-
| tfons promising good races. fifteen sloops
and yawls and three schooners came out Of
Newport harbor before 1880 O'Clock today.
to compete in their respective classes for
the Astor cups for sloops and schooners.
valued at 81 600 and $500 for each class re-
spectively.
Heretofore the more valuable of these
trophies has gone to the schooners. but on
account of the Constitution and Columbia
being among the competitors this year the
donor reversed the conditions and the $1,000
cup goes to the sloop class for competition.
The committee had arranged for start
at IL o. clock, but fully an hour before that
time the two big yachts were outside try
ing the wind and sea.
They found a good breeze blowing
straight out of the northwest and a long
roll setting in from the ocean almost IN
the opposite direction. The sky was over
cast, and early in the morning gave some
appearance of rain. But during the fore
noon the sun burst thrugh once or twice
and began scattering the mist Half an
hour before the start, however, there
seemed to be little chance that observers
ashore would see much of the race
The starting signal for sloops was given
at 11:05. The apparent starting time of the
two big boats as seen from the shore was:
constitution, 1l-Ui ID, COlumDll, llUS~1u
The starting gun for the schoonerS was
fired at IL 10. The apparent starting time
for schooners was: Corona. 11.11.30: Qui-
setta, II. so; Elmira, 11.13.05.
Just after starting out of the harbor the
yawl Ailsa grounded on Goat Island, so
that as the Vigiant left yesterday for
Greenport, L. L.. the Navahoe was the
only yawl that came out at the start. Just
before the yachts started the Independence
came down with club topsails set and SEEM
ed to be prepared for a brush with the
other two ninetyfooters. although not in
the race.
Today's course is tho thirty eight mile
Block Island course. This course provides
for a 131a-mile run to a mark boat an
chored east OF Block Island buoy, leaving
1t on the port TO end around stake boat
two miles southwest by west from West
Island leaving it to port, and finish at
the lightship, The second leg being IS miles
and the third Ga miles.
Details of the Race.
11:3O am.-The yachts have sailed about
five miles. Constitution appears to be
leading the sloops, but Columbia Is quite
near her. Over to the eastward Independ-
ence appears to be keeping up, although, Of
course, not in the race.
BATEMAN'S POINT, July 29.-At noon
the yachts had completely disappeared in
the haze in the direction of Block Island.
The sky Is still overcast, but the wind
holds well, a little west of north and looks
now as though the race would be finished
In quick time.
When last seen the Constitution appeared
to be leading the feet, with the Columbia
close by.
At 20 the Associated Press yacht Wanda
was made out flying the signal Columbia
ahead" apparently the two big yachts are
well on their way toward the second mark
OF the course off West Island. They can
be seen from here and apparently the lead
eighth a
mile ahead. The wind is strong and the
yachts are going very fast
1:43 p.m.-The two ninety-footers are now
on about even terms. making for the sec
ond mark. The yacht which was at the
rear has caught up with the other. and ap-
pears to be going by her to windward.
1855 p.m--It is pretty definitely settled
that the leading boat is the Columbia, as
her racing number can be just made out in
the right position in her mainsail
The yachts are within seven miles of the
second mark and going very fast, and the
Columbia seems to be increasing her lead.
2:1O p.m--Associated Press yacht Wanda
In passing this point signals Columbia
ahead.
PIT p.m.-Ttmed passing a given point,
the Columbia Is one minute twenty seconds
ahead. The yachts are within four miles
Of the mark and the Columbia Is dropping
the Constitution very fast.
The baby jib tOpsail on the Constitution
seems to be holding her back. 1t Is impos-
sible to distinguish which boat Is ahead In
the schooner class.
2:27 p.m.-The Columbia turned the Sec
ond mark at 2:26:4O as timed from shore
and headed for the finish six and half
miles away.
Constitution turned second mark at
2:29:1O, or two minutes and thirty seconds
behind Columbia as seen from shore
Columbia Wins.
2:55 p.m.-Columbia wins. crossing finish
line at 2:54 33.