Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1903-03-07
COMING CUP CONTEST.
Particular Interest in This Years Series
Of Yacht Races-Prepsrations
in Progress.

There are certain facts connected with
the 1903 series of contests for the Amer
lea cup that will render the coming sea
son particularly interesting Hitherto il
has been SO much a matter of settled con-
yiction with the majority of the Ameri-
can people that the defending yacht can
not be beaten, that the existence, as in
the present case. of any. conditions favor
able 70 the English boat, are welcomed
as rendering the contest closer one and,
therefore, introducing that element of I'M
certainty to the result WhiChiS abe very
soul of all true sport. Gradually Ihc COM
peting yachts have been drawing closer
together in speed; and the increase has
been, of late years, more rand in thu
English than in the American yacht
This is shown by the fact that in 1901
Herreshoff failed TO produce in CoHstitu-
ton a faster yacht than the two-year-o old
Columbia; whereas Shamrock ii. pushed
the American boat 80 closely at times
that the more the observer knew about
yachting, the more doubtful didHhe feel
as to the final Issue. On this side of the
water HerreShoh Is engaged in a second
attempt to improve upon Columbia. and
whether he will do so or not, is Just
rs much a matter OF uncertainty
4, as was the ultimate victory rof
Constitution There is popular rumor
abroad, which is shared, ny the way, by
many yachtsmGn. that the latter boat has
never shown her hest speed. Why, we
could never understand. She was in
charge of one of our most skilled anna
tour yachtSmeu, who had won golden
opinions in the previous series Of con-
tests by the way in (which he handled
Defender against Columbia And as to
the sailors on Constitution. were they not
| all American Seamen. selected in obedi-
4
can-built yacht should nave an Americans
horn crew from skipper 10 ceok? Hence,
| if Constitution failed OF selection TO de-
I fend the cup. the fault must surely have
/ been more in herself than IN those who
| had charge of her. However. this is
! moot question that will lend special zcst
I 10 the trial races of the sea SON quite
apart from the fact that the new cutter
now In course of construction VIII come
10 the line prepared to show that what
I Constitution can do to Columbia She in
Imrn can 10 10 Constitution. But what
/ a sensation if the 4-year-old boat. under
/ npr brand-new suit OF canvas. should
steal home. once more Il winner. with
4 tins, few necessary seconds 10 spare
/ So much for this side Of the water.
/ In England, we only know that another
| costly cutter is being built. this time from
designs by Fife, the designer of Sham
rock l. 1t is stated, probably with truth.
/ that Watson, VINO. designed ShamrocS
/ H., has elaborated with Fife TO the ex-
/ tent Of giving him the benefit OF his e%-
/ perieuce The third Shamrock is being
1 built in the same yard as her predeccs-
! sor and although there have been ru-
morS OF radical chsngcs in material ana
/ model. we shall be greatly surprised If
/ the new challenger tur..s out ~ vary in
any hut q few minor details OF form.
| construction and sail plan, from the boat
of 1901. There is one fact. however,
! that should put the challenging boat in a
VERY much better position for n cup con
! test than any before her. and this is that
/ she is SO far advanced that probably she
will be iaung1sed some time a. March.