Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-08-05
CAANCE Ut RULES
Is What Upton Wants Be-
fore Sending Challenge.
Deed Of Gift Of Americas Cup
Recognizes No Rating Rule. !.
Is Herreshoff Preparing to Build
Another Defender7

Sir Thomas LiptOQ stands in the pO-
sition today of crying please Amer
ica's cup committee, give me chance
to win the cup by accepting q chal-
lenge for it under the new rating rule"
1t is limited that the members of the
New York Yacht Club have given con-
siderable thought to a challenge UNI
der the rating rule, and those close to
Sir Thomas convey the impression that
he received encouragement that chal-
lcnge would be accepted under the new
rule.
There are many knotty problems
Which will present themselves before
negotiations of this character can be
successfully carried through, and it is
extremely doubtful if the New York
Yacht Club will vote TO throw aside
the old conditions for new ones and
sail a match under the universal rule
of rating.
Sir Thomas Upton is endeavoring to
foSt his own terms on the New YORK
club, and while its members are dis
posed to be fair and liberal. they do
not prOpCee to give the Britishers too
much lee ay or sacrifice the defences
of the historic trophy. even though the
rating rule is on its books
There is no mention of any rating
rule in the decd of gift, under whose
provisions the cup must be sailed for'
and it is distinctly stated that the
competing yachts or vessels, If of one
mast, shall not be less than So feet nor
more than 80 fec; on the load water
line: if of more than one mast, they
shall not Lc less than so feet nor more
than 115 feet on the load waterline.'
1t also stipulated that 'Centrcboard
or sliding keel vessels shall always be
allowed to compete in any race Tor TINS
CUP. and no restriction nor Limitation
whatever shall be placed upon the use
of such centreboard or sliding keel, nor
shall the centrcboard or sliding keel,
be considered part Of the vessels for
any purposes of measurement. IhlS
condition shows that those who drew
IN the deed of gift never intended that
the centreboard should be barred or
that there should be any restrictions
on its use or the use of sliding Keel
for no penalty is provided. and It IS not |
TO be considered part of the boat III
measuring it.
The rating rule and its system OF
measurement are given setback by
this provision of the rule.
Even if Sir Thomas did succeed in
getting challenge under the rating
rulc the New York Yacht Club would
rcycr consent to side ackinS the Ike
lance. Constitution or Columbia. and
the latter two would be considered as |
existing boats and would be eligible |
to take part in trial races for the hon
or of being selected to defend the cup.
The Reliance would probably be out |
of il under the rating measurement.
However, as the deed of gift governs |
the contest for the Americas cup, |
there is little comfort for Sir Thorn
as under it's provisions. 1t is wonder
ful Instrument and will protect the ia
nous trophy. All rules which conflict
with it are void.
without going into the details of the
chances Of Sir Thomas under the rat
ing rule, but looking the cold facts Ill
the face, he has a poor chance of get
ting race under the rating rule ana
if the Now York Yacht Club does It's
duty and stands by the instrument I'M
der which races have been held for the
cup in the past. it will refuse to accept
a challenge except strictly in accord
|
ance with its provisions.
The mutual agreement clause gives
scope to the club, but the
gets the worst end of the
should TO agreement be
rcac hcd for then series of three races
would be sailed and without time al
lowancc. and the challenge club need
not name its representative until the
time agreed upon for the start of the
first race. but such defender must sail
in all the races.
The mutual agreement clause IS broad
In its scope and might be construed so
literally tnat the New York Yacht Club
could agree to a match under the rating
rule, in spite Of the fact that 1t Is dis