The daily morning journal and courier., 1903-05-29
RELIANCE AGAIN VICTOR.
THE CONSTITUTIONS TOPMASI
 CARRIED AWAY.

About Nine Miles Of the Contest Had Been Sailed When the Accident Hap. pened and the New Boat Was but Half Q MiIe eAhead-ReIiance and Columbia Finish, the Former Winning by Eight minutes and Twenty -four Seconds.
 New York, May 2S.-The Constitutions hoodoo almost spoiled the race of the trio of cup defence candidates in Long Island sound to-day. After sailing nine miles of the first leg of the race the Constitutions topmast was carried away in little puff of wind and with her top hamper hanging in mass she was out os it for the day. When the accident occurred the Constitution was half a mile behind the Reliance and was leading the Columbia by an equal dist ance.
 Reliance and Columbia finished the race, but it had become procession, for Columbia was never formidable after the first five miles had been sailed. Re- hance crossed the finish line a winner by eight minutes and twenty-seven sec- onds over the former favorite.
 Constitution had sailed a game race until the accident and had been handled skillfully but had been unable to hold the slick Reliance.
 ' After a bit of jockying at the start ing line, Captain Rhodes had put the Constitution in the position he coveted on the windward quarter of the Reli- ance, although Captain Barr had sent the Reliance the whole length of the starting line clear to the mark opposite the committee boat before he would give way and permit the Constitution to cross and take that position. The luff- ing game continued after the starting line was crossed and until the Reliance's superior speed had pulled her out of a bad position: For twenty minutes after the start the two rivals kept off for the turning mark. The Constitution was carrying big balloon jib topsail, while . the other boats wore smaller reaching ones.
 Reliance had drawn away half mile
 
 the disastrous puff. The starboard up- per spreader which stiffened the top- mast gave way and the hollow, wooden topmast snapped off eight feet above the mainmast head. The broken spark, to- sether with the club topsail pole. the balloon jib topsail and the toprnost rig ging hung suspended by the club topsail which hung across the main peak hal yards. The topsail was torn half across it's width by the falling gear, but none of the spars had struck the deck. The yacht was hove to and the wreckage quickly cleared away. August Belmont, her managing owner, who was on board. said that the Con- stitution's spare topmost was in Bristol and that he did not expect to get it in time to sail in Saturdays race. No one had been injured Clear of the wreck, the Constitution came limping home un- der her lower sails.
 Reliance beat the Columbia four min utes and fifty-two seconds on the first leg and thirty seconds on the second leg. The last leg was a long slant close hauled, fetching the finishing line with out a tack or pinching too closely into ? the wind It was the prettiest spectacle os the day for the wind had freshened to twelve knots and the Reliance had her lee rail down into the froth and was reeling off eleven knots to the hour while the pride of former years rrag- ged mile and half astern. Reliance had beaten her three minutes and five seconds on that leg.
 The regatta committee of the New York Yacht club announced tonight that the three 90-footers will not be en- tered in the annual regatta for the club on June S. Columbia and Reliance will sail in the race at Glen Cove Saturday, regardless of whether the Constitution is repaired in time.
 MT. Belmont said tonight that he would use his utmost endeavorrs to get the Constitution ready for Saturday. He ordered a new topmast from Bristol as soon as he get ashore and hopes it will arrive tomorrow. He seemed particu- larly anxious to get into the race. talk ing personal charge of putting the yacht in shape. The yacht will prob- ably go to City Island to have the stump taken out and the new top mast fitted. It now looks as if she would be in the race. MT. Belmont said he had no re- grets over to-day's showing by the Con- stitution as he thought the boat did well.
 SHAMROCKS SATL.