The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-27
RELIANCE LEADS AGAIN
COLUMBIA Is OUTCLAsSED FROM
START TO FINISH LINE.
COnstitution Makes a Game Fight and
Is Beaten by Two Minutes Fifty
One Seconds-Race Details.

NEW YORK, May 26-In a gamely con-
tested race. Reliance again led the way
across the finish line, winning her second
victory over Columbia and her first over
Constitution. Two minutes and fifty-one
seconds later the Constitution finished, and
the crew of the new boat gave her such
cheer as she deserved. The Constitution
had sailed rlucky race and had right
to share in the honors. From start to
finish she had fought out every mile over
the thirty mile course, and on two of its
legs had actually outsailed the new boat.
performance which restores her prestige
imperiled in her disappointing showing in
the drifting match last Saturday, and
makes her factor to be reckoned with in
the selection of a cup defender.
Columbia was, for the day. outclassed.
From ,ne very start she was never for a
moment in the race. While Reliance and
Constitution were having it out between
themselves all the the way around the
course, the former cup defender was drag
ging along miles astern, and when Reliance
sailed across the finish line Columbia was
more than two miles almost dead to
leeward. Reliance beat her by fifteen
minutes and fifty-one seconds actual sail
ing time.
The wind held true at nine to twelve
knots during the race and favored none Of
the racers. The conditions were ideal for
a fair test of the three boats. and the race
to-day was devoid of The drifting feature
which married the two earlier races.
The course was twice around a fifteen
mile triangle. and a twelve knot breeze was
swapping the bunting of the yachts at the
starting line when the three sleek racers
gathered way and jockeyed for position.
Columbia was dressed in a new suit of
sails that set like glove.
The start at 12:15 p. m. was almost per-
feet. Reliance and Columbia went across
the line side by side, with Constitution trail
ing by nearly half minute, but to wind
ward. Inc nrst leg was reach. with the
Long island bays in strong puffs. Five
minutes after the start Constitution was
not more than length astern and to wind
ward Of Reliance. and the splendid battle
between them was on. Columbia began
slowly to drop behind. Constitution held
on like a bull dog. All the boats were go
lily but very slowly till the first turn Re-
lance heightened her lead. The boats
turned the first mark as follows: Reliance
l2:43:oS; Constitution. n:43:S5; Columbia.
12:45:0S.
Reliance had beaten Columbia by more
than two minutes in sailing five miles in
% minutes and 10 seconds but had gained
only a few seconds on Constitution.
Once around the mark Reliance and Con-
stitution got into luffing match that car
ried them a mile out of their course, The
breeze had fiattened out to seven knots,
and Captain Rhodes, seeing that he could
not pass, gave IL up and both boats set
spinnakers and squared away for the Sec
ond turn. Reliance then drew away from
her rival. Columbia meanwhile was far
behind. Reliance had gained eight minutes
on her in this leg and twelve seconds on the
Constitution.
Reliance fetched 100 yards to leeward of
the mark and squeezed between IL and
long tow OF barges. Before Constitution
reached the mark the barges had fouled IL,
and she was compelled to sail around the
tow, thereby losing little. The wind was
freshening. and the leaders were two miles
away on the next leg before Columbia
reached the third turn.
On the fourth leg the boats had the wind
a point freer, and with sheets a bit started
the leaders heeled over and stretched away
for the five-mile run. Reliance negotiated
that leg In Is minutes IS seconds. but Con-
stitution gained nearly half a minute on
her Columbia. more than thirteen minutes
behind Reliance. was fairly distanced.
Again. on the next leg, Constitution out
footed the new boat. gaining one minute
and twenty-one seconds, but she was still
one minute and eighteen seconds behind.
The wind had shifted, however. until 1t