The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1903-08-21
FIRST MEETING BETWEEN RElL
ANCE AND SHAMROCK III.
ENDS IN NO RACE
DEFENDER TWO NILES IN 6 LEAD
CHALLENGER LED FOR TIME
BUT Is EASILY OvERTAKEN
BY AMERICAN BOAT.

New York. Aug. 21-The first con
test between the Reliance and Sham
rock ILL., for Americas cup ended in
no race because of the light wind pre-
vailing. The race was called off at
o'clock. shortly after the Reliance
had passed the fifteen-mile turning
point the defender then being fully
two miles ahead of the Shamrock III.
The preparatory signal was given
at l0:45 as the boats were manuever'
ing for position under the three lower
sails, a club topsail and also jib top
sail.
The wind was then from the south
west and the course signalled was fif-
teen miles to the windward and a run
home.
Promptly at IL o'clock the starting
gun was fired.
Reliance was running down the line
On the port tack with Shamrock
short distance astern. AT the start
ing signal Reliance gybed and headed
for the line. Shamrock came about
on Reliance's weather and also
headed for the line. shamrock was
first to cross. Both boats were on the
starboard tack with fiattened sheets,
Reliance little to windWard of Sham
rocks wake and few hundred yards
astern.
Little by little, almost imperceptibly,
Reliance seemed to gain on her ad
versary. but before she Is on equal
terms she must overcome the l min
ute and 81 seconds time allowance.
Soon after the start the yachts ran
into drenching rain storm which,
when 1t passed. left a calm which was
only broken by faint and wavering
wind. Considering the conditions the
pace made by the big racers was re-
markable, but it was apparent that
unless the breeze improved consider
ably 1t would not take them round the
course within the time limit.
Reliance Overtakes Shamrock.
At IL o'clock the yachts We're about
four miles due east OF Monmouth |
Beach
Scarcely had the first shower passed
when another heavy downpour over
took them. The wind shifted slightly |
and In such a way as directly to af- |
feet Reliance SO that when eight miles |
were on even terms.
Repeated shifts Of the wind con-
tinued to favor Reliance and little by |
little she gained on her opponent.
When about eleven miles of the course
had been sailed Reliance led by 200 |
yards. Shamrock was to leeward. ap
footing faster. but not point
ing SO high into the wind as Reliance.
The rain had stopped, but showers
continued to threaten. The wind at
this time was blowing about six knots.
AS the rain ceased the wind fresh
cned little and with its increasing
tOrce Reliance began to prove her bet
ter sailing qualities. While for q
time Shamrock seemed to foot as fast
as Reliance the latter was pointing
much higher and soon ate her way into
q commanding windward BERTH giving
her diatinct lead. Gradually she
Increased her advantage and as the
breeze seemed to improve 1t looked at
o'clock US though the race would be
finished within the time limit. AT
that hour both boats were on the port
tack, about three miles from the mark,
with the Reliance slightly more than
! quarter of a mile in the lead.
Reliance Continues to Gain.
With Reliance ahead they beat down
% the outer mark In tacks Of varying
engths. Time after time Shamrock
vent about with the idea of shaking
clear and looking for favoring slants
If wind. Reliance. however. played
he game as 1t should be played and
)roke tack with her opponent every
ime keeping constantly between ner
u ~. ,,ly Drao oil In l
he light and shifty winds. Gradually
he wind fell until. at Las. when the
,achts were just off Asbury Park, they
ycre almost becalmed, with Reliance
,ver a mile In the lead
In the long tedious beat down the
Jersey shore to the outer mark Re-
lance continually pulled away from
he challenger, although it was conf
|ently expected by the supporters of
he latter boat that In the light winds
he .woald prove a wonder and beat
he Reliance or at least hold her. The
veil known drifting qualities of the
ierreshOff boat. which she showed in
he races early in the season, stood
Ter In good stead and her gains were
Ontinuous.
The excursion feet obeyed orders
etter than ever before and gave both
Oats plenty of sea room, IN fact the
pace about the boats extended more
han q mile on either side. The larger
boats also kept well astern
O that they did not at any time affect
he wind.
Wind Completely Subsidies.
BY 2 o'clock the wind had subsided
lmost completely. leaving the boats
apping about In the long ocean roll.
hey twisted and turned in desper-
te effort to get into favorable slant !.
I wind. during which head sails We're :
shifted Inshore and far
her. up the coast towards Sandy Hook
fine northwest breeze prevailed. but :
worked of shore very gradually. J
was rather si.=ular to sec ar old