The Topeka state journal., 1903-05-26
AHEAD AT HOME STAKE.
Reliance First, With COnstitu-
tiOn a Good Second.

Matincock Point, L. l.. May 26.-Af-
ter pretty thorough testing of the Re
lance and Columbia in light uncertain
airs, IN which the new boat certainly
showed superiority, the yachting fra
ternity hailed with some satisfaction
TINS morning nice steady breeze of
about five knots strength. blowing in
from the southeast. As a similar breeze
held all day yesterday there was hope
that 1t would continue today and give
the third contest between the yachts
some sembiance to a race It is some
what singular that in but few of the
preliminary races and cup contests for
eight years has the wind been of more
than ordinary strength and that the
Oldest of three boats, the Columbia, has
never raced in a breeze Of more than 20
knots velocity.
At o'clock the Columbia and Con-
stitution lay moored in Hampstead har-
Dor while the Reliance as at anchorage
at City Island The crew of the Con
stituti0n were about early and before
s O'Clock the head sails were sent aloft
in stops. The Columbias crew were not
far behind and a lively brush it was
between them in hoisting the great
main sails. The Columbia's crew won
out by few minutes.
The forenoon was we'll advanced when
the first of the excursion fleet appeared
About the same time the Reliance was
observed near the shore of the mainland
under sail.
soon the excursion UtCL DCSdI ~ dlJ-
pear in larger numbers and some lively
bursts of speed were made by the big
steam yachts in their rush Tor au-
VantageouS positions at the Starung me.
Following these were long line OF
small sailing craft and the regatta com
mittee boat the Privateer-
The wind increased and at 1 o'clock
had freshened TO nine knots
The starting unofficial time was:
Reliance, 12.15.o3
Columbia. 12.15-0S.
Constitution, 12.15.2S
After the start the Constitution took
her position on the weather of the two
other boats and during the first five
minutes of the race held the boat in
good shape.
All three boats went across the line
on the starboard tack with No 1 jib
topsails set, the first leg being a reach.
When opposite Oak Neck the Reliance
was Just ahead of the Constitution.
and in few minutes had established
herself in the lead. The two boats,
however, indulged in a luffing match
which took them well in shone. while
the Columbia kept off further into the
sound All three boats were footing
very fast. but from the shore it looked
as if the Reliance was droqDing her
competitors. although not as rapidly
as in the other two races.
On the first leg Reliance beat the
Constitution less than half a minute
The turning time from shore. unoffi-
cial. was;
Reliance. l. t33 ~.
Constitution, z2:4S:47.
Columbia. 12:45:22.
The boats had a strong wind all the
way to the first mark and the showing
of the new boat on this leg was some
what Of disappointment The Re
lance turned the second mark t
1.14:07: Constitution at 1:15:01.
At this time the Columbia was about
a mile and a half astern- A slight gain
of the Reliance over the Constitution
~ " fi11a better sail han
ling.
The Columbia rounded the second
mark at 1:23.4S.
Reliance turned the home stake at
1:44.2S. Constitution 1s41a30- Both boats
were badly handicapped by two long
foxvs one of which carried away the
home stake. The yachts started OIL bv
agreement to sail the course twice, al
though the programme provided Iof
sailing over it but once. The Columbia
was still way astern-
The Columbia turned the starting
stake at 1:59:05-
The boats started over the course toI esl.
the second time with strong puffy
wind. The boats turned the first mark
on the second round as follows:
Reliance. 2.12.15.
Constitution. 2:15:20
The Columbia was still some distance
astern- ,
Constitution gained minute and q
half on Reliance me 1iIieS' ui1e s "a.
at the second mark of the second round
were.
Reliance 2.4o:2s.
Constitution 2.41 .39.
Columbia 2:55-32. %
Reliance beat Constitution over the 80
mile course in a u knot breeze by MIN
,l+a 59 seconds and the Columbia by
Beliance finished at 3:12:17; Constitu-
lion at 3:14:10. Columbia was two miles
astern.