Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-21
IN THE LEAD
Test of Fitness to Meet Lip
tons Shamrock III
IS UNDER WAY TODAY
EARLY CONDITIONS WERE UN-
FAVORABLE FOR RACE.
Thousands of Yachtsmen Gather at
Glen Cove to Witness F
the Contest.

GLEN COVE, N. Y, May H.-Early prep
arations were made today ..on board the
two American ninety-foot sloops-the Co
lumbia, twice defender of the Americas
cup. and the Reliance the latest aspirantT
for the test of their relative fitness to meet
Sir Thomas Lipton's third venture. the
Shamrock III.
They were to sail over measured course
in the sound Although the absence OF the
Constitution which is undergoing repairs,
somewhat marred the interest in today's
race. still there We're plenty Of yachting
enthusiasts who came down from New
York to see the other boats.
Early Conditions Unfavorable. ~
The early arrivals however, did not find
racing conditions particularly favorable:
At o'clock, four hours before the time
fixed for starting the race the waters OF
the sound showed not even a ripple, and
nowhere was there the slightest trace of
breeze.
AS there has been but little wind in this
vicinity for four or five days, many OF the
old fishermen along shore shook their heads
dubiously and predicted that the yachts
would not be able to reach even the start
under canvas, to say nothing about finish
ing the race.
Mainsails UP.
But the mainsails on both yachts were up
by $50 o'clock, the Columbia hoisting hers
while at anchor in the cove, while the Re-
lance sent hers up before she left New
Rochelle on the other side of the sound.
The air was delightful, clear and trif1e
cooler than yesterday The regatta COM
mittee of the New York Yacht Club, under
whose auspices the yachts will meet in a
majority of races this year, had laid out
three triangular courses for the yachts off
,;&I, fl,A In, all nft thayya
from the buoy off Matinicock Point
The Two Courses.
The first course was a small almost equi-
lateral triangle of about five miles to a
side to be sailed twice around or thirty
miles in all.
The other two courses were obtuse tri-
angles. one of them having a long leg of
eleven miles down the sound almost to the
Eaten's Neck light, thence over to the
Connecticut shore, and back to the finish,
while the other had the same long leg down
the sound, but with another long leg up the
sound to a buoy off Rye, and then back to
the finish.
About Twenty Six Miles Around.
The obtuse triangles were about twenty
six miles round. 1t was expected that one
of these courses would fit the prevailing d.
rection Of the wind and give the yachts
good test on all points of sailing, reaching,
running and beating.
Past experience had shown that the
smaller triangle meant plenty of work for
the crews. especially with lively breeze,
as the big SloopS covered the three legs In
quick time.
This small triangle, therefore, was looked
upon as a test of sail handling and quick
work at the helm, rather than for any
chance to size up the relative merits of the
boats.
Down From New York.
The club steamer Sirius, well-laden with
members came down from New York and
made a brief stop for the Long Island en-
thusiasts at the little pier of the Cove. By
o O'Clock there was a little air stirring
from the westward and there seemed some
indications of race.
At half-past IL both boats had arrived at
the starting point, the Reliance coming
over under sail from New Rochelle, while
the Columbia was towed down from her
mOoring at Glen Cove.
BY this time the wind had breezed up to
about three knots an hour from the south
west and there were some indications of Its
increasing later in the day. .-.---
Columbia at Starting Buoy.
AS soon as the Columbia reached the
starting buoy she swung away from her
launch and began sailing around. Both
boats had on three lower sails and large
club topsails.
great fleet of yachts was clustered
about the boats The committee boat ar
rived off Matinicock Point at II AS and pre-
pared to set the signals for the start.
The preliminary gun was fired at 11:45.
The Columbia Immediately broke out her
headsails and the two yachts began Jockey
ing for the start. ---.'-. --'" 49,
The Columbia seemed to move more brisk
ly than the Reliance. the two boats
moved to and fro in the light air to get their
positions for the start.
Start Postponed.
Ten minutes later. however, the COM
mittee boat signaled that the start would
be postponed until later. The wind was so
streaky that the committee wished to wait
for steadier breeze. AS the two yachts
stood together the Reliance, with her i'm
mense high rig. lowered far above the Co.
lumbia. s~-'
The Reliance had considerably increased
her lead when the yachts were passing
Peacock Point. about two miles from the
starting line.
to fall away entirely, and the yachts were
almost motionless.
GLEN COVE. N. Y, May 21-The Re-
lumbia at $3.50. The Reliance apparently
gained on the Columbia. The wind was
very light.
To Take Trip on the Jessamine.
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
NORFOLK, Va. May 21.-Assistant Sec