Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1905-05-30
RACE ACROSS The OCEAN.
Eleven Yachts Engage in an Interest
ing 1000 Aiiie Inr,ruo

Eleven yachts of various nationalities
and wide diversity Of types have been
| speeding eastward across the Atlantic
ocean IN race for a handsome gold
cnp valued at $1,000 and donated by the
Emperor of Germany. Eight of the
yachts are owned by Americans, two are
the property of Englishmen. while the
remaining one is entered by Germany
The great race will be the most inter-
esting event of its kind in many years
1t is real race and tae conditions I'M
der which it is sailed win make it gem
uine test of boat building skill and sea-
manship. The racing feet includes eleven
boats, among which are representatives
of Germany, England and the United
States. Setting sail from Sandy Hook,
these vessels have been making their way
| across the 5000 miles of salt water TO
England under their own sail, taking
such chances of wind and weather as
fate has had to offer
As a trial of seamanship and of skill
in the designing and construction of boats
this contest far exceeds in Importance
any of the Americas cup races held off
the New Jersey shore The boats are
real boats, fitted for deep-sea sailing and
pleasure cruising. The rules are liberal
! and there is to be no hair-splitting over
questions of handicapping. time allow
ance or sail area. The racers are of va
rious types. The biggest is a snip of
GAS tons and the smallest schooner of
Sc tons, but all go into the contest
on even terms. The first boat to arrive
at the goal whatever its size or type.
will be the winner and will get the $1,000
gold cup which Emperor William has
offered for the contest.
Most of the yachts entered for the
haiser's cup have crossed and recrossed
the Atlantic and all have been built for
pleasure sailing. The distance from
Sandy Hook, the starting point, to the
southeast coast of England, the destina-
ton, is 5000 miles. Under normal con-
ditions, the contest will consume about
twelve days. The last transatlantic yacht
race took place in 1887, the winner being
the COronet 1t aroused great interest
in Europe and America.
There are many who, because of this
country's repeated victories in the inter
national yacht races at Sandy Hook, con-
tidently expect an American boat to win.
But the races for the Americas cup have
been under such peculiar conditions that
they afford no sure foundation for Amer
lean confidence. There is some reason
to hope that American genius in design.
ing and skill in seamanship will again
triumph and bring to this country the
coveted trophy. But it may go to Eng
land or to Germany
The international yacht races of re
cent years have been contests between
vessels of exactly similar type, construct
ed with mathematical nicely and sailed
under strict rules, which put a premium
on clever jocleying and minor tricks of
seamanship. The race across the ocean
is a wholly different matter. The con-
testants have to meet a thorough test in
| all phases of the seaman's art. They
are free to take their choice of ocean
! lanes and for days together they VIII
have to study how to make the most of
| their opportunities. The nation whose
boat wins such a contest will have some
cause to boast of its eminence in seaman
shin