Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-06-19
YACHTS ARE OFF AGAIN.
Americas Three Cup Defenders
 Started at 12:3o To-Day,

Greenwich Point, Conn, June 19.- The scene of the yacht racing in the Sound changed to-day a little further eastward through the invitation of the Indian Harbor Yacht club for a race for the cup defenders off Great Cap tain's island at the entrance to Green Wich harbor.
 Soon after sunrise, however, a dr1v- ing northeast rainstorm set In and al- though the wind was not heavy there was every indication that the rain would continue throughout the day, so that there was little hope three hours before the time set for the start that the three yachts, Reliance, Constitu- tion and Columbia, would appear.
 T&ere seems to have been this year a reluctance on the part of the mana gers of the boats to race in the rain. This iSnundoubtedly due to the fact chat the great 1nainsails of the yacht cannot stand much of a wetting, as any great amount of moisture abso- Iltely ruins them for future use. The expense of these sails, which amounts in the case of the Reliance to $70O0, is not particularly minded, but the sail which she has been carrying for the past two weeks has been stretched out into such fine shape that 1t is al most perfect ard those in charge of the boat are averse to trial races which would ruin the sail and necessitate a new one. Their excuse, therefore, for not appearing in rainy weather is un- doubtedly good one and at the Indian Harbor Yacht club this morning 1t was the general belief that if he rain con tinued up to noon, the time set for the start, there would be very little pros pect of the yachts appearing.
 The course was at an angle for ten miles from the start to Greens Ledge light, off Norwalk then across the Sound to Eaton's Point on the Long Island side, and back to the start, a distance of 25 miles to be sailed over once. The smaller triamgle was from the starting point to a. buoy off Ship pan Point, then across to Oyster Bay and back to the finish, a distance of 15 miles to be sailed twice over
 A large number of members of the Indian Harbor Yacht club assembled at the club house this morning pre- pared to leave for the start on large tug which the club provided. Along the COIMlectlcuJ SnOTo many or the summer residences were filed with spectators who were greatly disap, pointed at the prospects.
 The rain stopped falling at 10 o'clock, but unfortunately the wind died out at the same time, so that half an hour before the time set for the start the sound was like q mill pond. The committee, however, went out to the starting line on their tug and up the sound the three yachts could be seen preparing to leave for the line |, At 11:30 1t looked as if the start would have to be postponed until later in the day.
 The regatta committee, following out the procedure of the other races on the Sound, had arranged two triangular courses for the race to-day Both courses provided for a start one half mile south of Great Capta1n's island.
 At 12:30 the preparatory signal was given and the yachts crossed the line as follows: Constitution, 12:46:15; Re liance, 12:46:19; Columbia 12:46:56. The wind at this time was blowing not over three knots an hour. The Reliance took the lead within minute.