Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-26
RELIANCE STILL AHEAD
Turns Home Stake Ahead of
Constitution.
BOTH HANDICAPPED
COLUMBIA IS REPORTED STILL
WAY AsTERN.
Yachts Start OFF by Agreement to Sail
the Course Twice An
Excellent Day.

MATINICOCK POINT. L. l., May 2s-
After pretty thorough testing of the Re-
lance and the Columbia In light uncertain
airs, in which the new boat certainly show
ed superiority, the yachting fraternity
hailed with some satisfaction this morning
a nice steady breeze OF about five knots
strength blowing in from the southeast.
AS similar breeze held all day yester-
day, there was hope that II would continue
today and give the third contest between
the yachts some semblance to a race.
Somewhat Singular.
1t is somewhat 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 old
est of three boats the Columbia. has never
raced in breeze OF over twenty knots
velocity.
The strong southwesters, such as we'll
rounding Cape Cod two years ago, and
which sent the New York Yacht Club fleet
from Newport to Vineyard Haven. ana
then round to Provincetown last August,
have been absent when the time came to
race the cup yachts.
Thankful for Soft Breeze.
But there were no indications of any
bowling Southwestern today, and in view or
the calm and tickle breezes last week the
crews of the three yachts appeared thank
full for the soft five-knot breeze which was
blowing when they came on deck this
morning.
The day, from a spectators viewpoint
was delightful. The sky was clear, the air
cool and invigorat1ng and there were no
indications of rain from any quarter.
Wind From Southeast.
With the wind from the southeast it
looked as If the committee would send the
yachts over the small equilateraI triangu-
lar course of fifteen miles, with broad
reach across the sound to Great Captains
Island, beat Of six miles to Oyster bay
and another reach to the finish.
With SO little windward work and so
much reaching it again looked like q good
day for the Reliance
Still the loyal adherents Of the older
yachts seemed satisfied although several
frankly admitted their desire to see the
windward and run home with spinnakess
set conditions which have not obtained SO
far this season.
Where They Were Moored.
At 0 o'clock the Columbia and the Con-
stitution lay moored in Hampstead harbor,
while the Reliance was at anchorage at
City Island. zh
The crew of the Constitution were about
early after breakfast and before o'clock
the head sails were sent aloft in stops
The Columbia's crew were not far be-
hind that of her competitor and lively
brush 1t was between them in hoisting the
great mainsails. The Columbia's crew won
out by few minutes time.
The forenoon was well advanced when
the first Of the excursion fleet appeared
beyond Execution Rock. About the same
ffYpa the Reliance nbSaryed
shore of the mainland. under sail.
Began to Appear in Large Numbers.
Soon the excursion fleet began to appear
in larger numbers. and some lively bursts
Of speed were made by the big steam
yachts in their rush for advantageous po-
sitions at the starting line. Following these
were a long line of small sailing craft and
the regatta committees boat, the Privateer.
The wind increased as the morning ad-
vanced and at 10 o'clock had freshened to
nine knots.
Wind Freshening Rapidly.
At 1890 there was every indication that
the race would start on time and finish
early in the afternoon. The wind was
freshening rapidly and was hauling around
to a little west of south, SO that there
was some doubt as to the course to be
sailed.
All three OF tno yaCntS were Teauy W
get under way before II o'clock, and at
about the same time the tug with the
turning marks arrived or the point.
The buoy for the starting line was set
vateer took up her position. The Reliance
was then heading across the sound toward
the committee boat under mainsail stay
SAIL 1ib and small clubtopsails.
Fighting for Position.
All the boats were at the starting line
half an hour before noon. and at 11:4O the
committee hoisted the signal for the trian-
gular course Of fifteen miles. with a broad
reach to Lloyd Point, another reach to
Great Captains Island and a beat to the
finish.
The wind at this time had veered to
southwest and was blowing at ten or twelve
knots. Meantime the yachts were having
fine fight for position. Jockeying about
the committee boat in lively manner, the
course being practically free of steam
yachts.
First Gun at Noon.
The preliminary gun was fired at II noon
and fifteen minutes later the starting gun
doomed forth.
The etarting time unofficial was:
Reliance, 12:15:O3; Columbia, 12:15:0s:
Constitution. 12:15:2S.
Reliance Seemed Ahead.
her position on the weather of the two
other boats and during the first Ave min
utes of the raoe held the new boat In good
shape.
All three boats went across the line on
the starboard tack, with number one tib
topsails set the first leg being a reach.
When off Oaks Neck, the Reliance was
Just ahead Of the Constitution and in n
few minutes had established herself IN the
lead.
The two boats, however. INDUCED In n
luffing match which took them well In
shore, while the Columbia kept off further
into the Sound.
All three boats were footing very fast.
but from the shore 1t looked as IL the Re-
lance was dropping her competitors, al
though not rapidly as in the other two
races.
Reliance half Minute Ahead
On the FIRST leg the Reliance beat the
less than half minute. This
turning time from shore {unofhciaD was:
Reliance. ,2:4S:20: Constitution. l2:2:4S:
Columbia, 12:45:2l.
The boats had strong wind al, tho way