The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-06-20
NIP AND TUCK TILL
MAH=PE MEETS
ACCIDENT
ChaIfenger'S Jib HaIyardS Are
Carried Away Rounding
North Stake Boat


The san Francisco perpetual chal-
lenge cup will remain in the hands of
the Corinthian yacht club for at least
another year and there is great re-
joicing among the Tiburon tars.
Commodore Frank stones speedy
sIoop Presto, handled as only stone
himself can handle it. defeated the
South Coast clubs challenger. the
Mah-Pe. in as fine yacht race as has
ever been witnessed in this harbor. Up
to the time the Mah-Pe. rounded the
north stake boat, off Southampton, the
race was nip and tuck, but soon after
rounding this stake the challenger s
lib haIyards carried away and a min
ute and a half was lost in using the
spinnaker halyard to hoist the jib,
which from then on set poorly and pre-
vented it drawing properly
The boats started promptly on time,
the Presto crossing the line ~ seconds
ahead of its opponent and on the peat
ont TO the Preside buoy gained IL
seconds and its well trained crew set
the spinnaker in record time. while
the Map-pe lost considerable in break
ing out its spinnaker. The Corinth-
ian boat soon set its topsail, which
proved of great assistance, the chal-
lenger not using one.
Running before the wind the south
ern boat gained So seconds. much less
than local yachtsmen expected. On
the reach from Goat island to the north
stakeboat Stone used his wiBdward
position to advantage and gained a
second in doing so and shortly after
rounding this mark the unfortunate
accident occurred, which may have lost
the Mah-Pe the race. Notwithstanding
the accident the Mah-Pe continued on
the course in bulldog fashion and
showed that IL was no mean opponent.
The day was an ideal one for a race.
the wind blowing from is to 20 miles
and no sea running. Yachting en-
thusiasts crowded Meiggs wharf to
the limit. while a large crowd of spec
tators cheered the contestants from
the decks of the stern wheeler Her
cules. which had been chartered for
the occasion by the Corinthian yacht
club OIdtime racing men watched the
contest with keen interest Among
these Captain J. s. Hanley. who sue
cessfuily defended the cup in the first
contest ever sailed for the trophy,
on the Ell Sueno; Billy Mccarthy who
sailed the Calder; Carl Westerfeldt,
former skipper of the Aeolus, and
former Commodore ]. w. Pew of Truant
lame were on the t1cTCulco. ullDil VI
Berry's familiar face was also there
and he was willing to bet $500 that,
boat for boat, the Mah-Pe could win.
A large fleet of yachts and launches
followed both racers and, surprisingly,
did not interfere with them. Both boats
were loudly cheered as they crossed
the finishing line. The Presto's time
was the fastest ever made over the
course.
When Commodore Pugh was asked
for his views of the contest after the
race he stated that he had nothing
TO say other than that the Presto
had been well handled, but he felt
that he had not received proper treat
ment at the hands of the defending
club. my request for a postponement
was not with any idea of familiariz-
ing myself with the course, but for
an opportunity of giving my rigging
and sails fair test. The deed of gift
allows a two weeks postponement and
7 think I was entitled TO it. We had
an exceedingly rough trip up the c,ast
and during the two DAYS we were liere
did not have time enough 10 go over
every line as we should have DONE
Commodore Frank Stones opinio 1 of
the race was as follows: THE Pre- sto
sailed just as 1 expected. We beat
them in windward work and on the
reach we could not be overhauled
The accident to the Mah-Pe is re-
grettable, but It is what must be ex-