The Savannah morning news., 1903-04-12
BY FIRST SHAMROCK
LIPTON'S NEW CUP CHALLENGER is
DEFEATED.
ON HER TIME ALLOWANCE
SHAMROCK WON IN A GAME RACE
FROM SHAMROCK III.

Over Course of "a Miles, Under the
Americas Cup Conditions, the New
British Boat Was Able to Beat the
First Shamrock Only 81 Minutes.
Result Was disappointing to the
Admirers of the New BOnt-Was
Not What They Had Looked For.
story of the Race.
Weymouth, April 1.-THE first con-
test to-day of the challenger for the
Americas cup under actual racing con-
ditions was distinctly disappointing to
those who exulted so much at the re-
suits of the preliminary trials. The
Shamrock 1 won on her handicap al
lowance, the new craft only beating
her 61A minutes over course thirty
four miles long.
On the first half of the course the
challenger out-sailed the older boat
handsomely, but in the fresher wind
on the second turn she little more
than held her own. This was only
partially explained by fluke of wind,
which favored the Shamrock l and
enabled her to gain considerable ground
on the second beat.
The Shamrock l was fouled by a
steam yacht when half way through
the second run to Lulworth Cove. Her
spinnaker boom and the steam yachts
bowsprit were both carried away but
the Shamrock I escaped other injury
and continued the race The accident
was of little advantage, as the Sham
rock HIS spinnaker was Immediately
doused in order to make the conditions
even.
Heeled the Yachts Over.
A fine, fresh west-southwest breeze,
of sufficient strength to cause the
yachts under club topsails to heel
over and make fast sailing, was blow
ing as the two Shamrocks Unanswered
for position During this jockeying
the Shamrock III proved both faster
and handler, and Capt. Wringe had
easily the better of the start The
wind remained fresh and steady, and
the racers made excellent sailing as
they ran across on the first leg of the
course In twenty minutes running
the challenger gained two minutes.
Dropping their spinnakers, the boats
luffed and came on the wind for the
beat to windward across the bay to-
wards Portland
The breeze freshened a little and
both yachts Travelled at a fine pace.
the challenger apparently rvelling in
tn stronger wind. When they turned
the mark off Portland the Shamrock
III had a a lead of over six minutes
on less than twelve miles sailing.
Gave Shamrock 1 Advantage.
The challengers showing on the
reach was distinctly disappointing. On
the second run down the wind the old
boat had somewhat of an advanta ge
by bringing up a fresher breeze, and
the Shamrock III. was only able to
make minute and a half between the
marks.
In beating for the mark off Port
land, Capt. Wringe did not appear to
drive his boat so keenly as he had
done. He kept pinching her into ev-
cry eye of the wind, while the Sham
rock l., although dropping to leeward,
gained distinctly
The hardening wind suddenly drew
round a couple of points, and gave
the Shamrock /. the only fluke of the
day She was far down to leeward.
but under the favoring breeze wiped
out considerable of the new boats
lead.
On the three-mile reach home the
challenger was sailed for all she was
worth. and on the leg on which the
Shamrock l. had held her even dur
ing the first round, the Shamrock III.
on this occasion gained half Il minute.
The finishing times were: Shamrock
III, 1:4S:3S. Shamrock l., 1:55:O9.