New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-26
FEWER SEE BEST RACE.
Spectators D7ciudle. but Still Thou
sands Cheer Yictor and Fanquished.

Two straights for the Reliance was the Amer
ica's Cup score AZ the finish of the thirty-rniIs
race off Sandy Hook yesterday afternoon. But
II was a near thing. At the end Of the struggle.
which was fought out TO the last second over a
three cornered course having ten miles to each
leg, in a breeze that varied from moderate TO
fresh. the American boat was only three minutes
and sixteen seconds ahead OF the challenger. 1
margin which, narrow enough of itself was re-
duced by the Shamrock's time allowance to one
minute and nineteen seconds. After che marked
superiority exhibited by the Reliance in
zephyr and a strong breeze. the tight squeeze
she had yesterday created a good deal OF ex-
citement and surprise aboard the feet that fol-
lowed the racers over the course.
II was not altogether a satisfactory test OF the
merits Of the two boats. There were many OBJ
servers who contended after the Shamrock had
flown across the line beaten boat that. had
she been properly sailed. the verdict would have
been reversed and Sir Thomas would have had
at least one race for all his trouble. Those Who
held this view based IL on the manner in which
Captain Wringe handled his boat at the start.
Through a misca!culation OF some sort, probably
the fault of the man who held the watch aboard
the challenger. the Shamrock did not cross the
line until nineteen seconds after the handicap
gun fred. thus making that considerable
addition to her sailing time. This. of course.
aver also that the Shamrocks skipper made no
proper effort TO get the windward berth. but
surrendered it 10 Charley" Barr without
struggle This view is net held by the majority
who saw the race. They contend on the con-
trary. that. as long Captain Wringe knew
he could not get the coveted -windward position.
the next best thing for him 10 do to let
Barr get so far ahead Of the Shamrock that he
could not do her any harm.
SIR THOMAS : BIT RUFFLED.
Whatever the facts may be- and there is sorre4
thing 10 be said on both sides. Captain Wringe'S
critics viii doubtless go 10 their graves con-
vinced that had he sailed her in accordance with
their ideas the victory would have been with
the boat from over the seas. Sir Thomas Upton
himself expressed this opinion aboard the Erin
and obviously the hitherto unrufHed surface or
his serenity was considerably stirred by what
he considered the error OF his skipper Aside
from the start. there was no possible criticism
10 be made OF Captain Wringe's work On The
contrary. when il came 10 handling san ne
rather reversed the conditions of the two previ-
Gus contests for the canvas OF the shamrock
was more efficiently and promptly managed
than -ha cloudy clothing OF her rival
F3robabIv nobody was more surprised az the
t-r,rrover,ent of the Shamrock than her owner
and DESIGNER. Sir Thomas Upton and William
Fife are both on record believing that their
boat had better chance 70 win the windwaTd
and leeward style Of race than the triangular
struggle holding that when IL came 70 reaching
the additional canvas OF the American yacht
would enable her 20 leave the Shamrock behind.
But what happened was just the contrary. The
Shamrock was decisively defeated in the beat
ANC.FPS GAN SEE THE CITY