The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-05-20
ENGLISH WATCH
THE BIG BOATS
Change of Sentiment Over the
Ocean Race for Kaiser's
Cup.
New York Sun Special Service,

New York Sun Special Service. ..
London May Embarrassing ocean yacht
race and the chances Of the competitors the
Yachting World says it may be admitted that
the majority of yachting men in this country
looked coldly upon the proposal when it was
first put forward, and there was Il general in
clination to prophesy that the event would
probably fall thru for lack Of entrants. .
This estimate, erroneous as 1t has been
proved seemed reasonable enough, for the ar
held many difficulties BY degrees,
however, the: unique sporting possibilities of
the venture. recommended themselves to the
yacht owners on both sides of the Atlantic and
the result is muster which may be regarded
In the fullest sense Of the word credit to
the spirit In which the yachting men Of Great
Britain, America and Germany cultivate the
sport. --- -. --.f-
-. Take Even Chances.
If the match were to be judged at all by
the ordinary canons of racing, the first point
which would strike the yachting critic is the
fact that a fleet of such varying size, age, rig,
power, and presumably sailing ability should
have been started off on a course of about three
thousand miles without shred of handicap of
any kind. When Valhalla, a full-rgged ship of
1,490 tons, is matched against the Fleur de
Lys of 225 tons, and the ex-racer Ailsa against,
say, the old-fashioned Sunbeam, we look, natur-
ally, for something in the way of compensa-
ting handicap allowance.
In strict truth, however, it may be said that
the result will be so far dominated by the luck
of weather: which the fleet or different yachts
of the fleet may have on their passage across
that 1t is doubtful whether any handicap which
did not run into days would have had any ap-
preciable effect upon the chances of the contest.
Question Of Weather.
In breezes which are light to moderate and
coming from quarter which will keep yes.
sells with sheets pinned close in, then the
chances of either Ailsa Hamburg should be
worth considering. On the other extreme, with
gales or strong winds from almost any direc
ton, but particularly such as to give a lot OF
sailing large, then the yachts of great power
and tonnage may be expected to produce the
winner. For all-round chance, however, av
erage weather from any direction and average
luck, Wilson Marshall's American schooner At
lantic has all the qualities which should make
it the first favorite with anyone seeking tt
prohesy as to the winner.
New York, May 2o-From what could be
learned of the ocean racers yesterday the Ger
man schooner Hamburg led with the Atlantic
| far to the eastward, but about thirty miles tc
leeward. stiff breeze blew from the northwest
at twenty eight miles an hour. The was
very rough. Last night the wind veere6
around to the west. To the windward of the
| other yachts was the Ailsa which had, however
fallen back despite weather conditions to suit
her. The Valhalla was last with about tw,
hundred and twenty miles separating her from
the Hamburg. 1t figured that the German
yacht had travelled 800 miles up to noon yester
day, making her ahead of the Endymions rec
ord, despite the light wind at the start. Tht
last report of the Atlantic came by the steam
ship India, which sighted her heading east
southeast, logging ten knots an hour. All he
sails were set.
New York, May 20.-The American bark
rugged yacht Apache, one of the contestants ii
| the trans Atlantic race for the Emperor viii
liam cup, sighted by the steamer Princes:
Alice yesterday about sixty-seven miles
| east of Nantucket lighthouse ship. At tina
time the Apache running due east will
| every stitch of canvas set. None of the othel
racers sighted by the Princess Alice.