New-York tribune., 1909-09-13
CURTISS WINS CONTEST
GRAND PRIX At BRESCIA
GOES TO AMERICA.
Beats Rougier go Minutes and
Gets S6,OO0-First Also in
Quick Starting.

Brescia, Sept. 12-Glenn H. Curtiss, the
American aviator who won the International
Cup at Rheims. added further honors to his
brilliant record by Capturing the Grand Prix in
the aviation meet here. Curtiss made his flight
for the grand prize yesterday. covering fifty
kilometres G1O5 miles,. or five times around
the course. in 40 minutes and "a seconds His
share of the $4,000 prize money is $4,000.
Rougier. the French aviator. also competed
for the grand prize, making flight of fifty kilo-
metres in / hour 10 minutes and Is seconds.
To him was awarded the second prize
Curtiss also won the prize for quick starting.
his time being 1-5 seconds. Leblanc was
ondin this contest, registering 3-5 seconds.
The last day OF the international contests
brought out an immense crowd OF spectators.
who came from all parts Of Italy and many for
eign cities. The weather conditions were ex-
ceedingy favorable. only gentle breeze blow
Ing. Princess Letitia. the stepmother OF the
Duke of the Abruzsi, was present and. sur
rounded by her court, received all the foreign
aviators with special cordiality. She warmly
congratulated Mr.. Curtiss. She said that she
had followed with the keenest interest the ef-
forts which We're being made to solve the prob
lem OF aerial navigation, and that she was look
Ing forward to the day when II would be posi-
BILE TO make a long journey in the air. Then
turning to the American aviator she asked I'm
English; Would you take me with your
Mr.. Curtiss replied IT should be delighted. il
my machine were fitted for carrying passen-
gers" He then explained that the small seat
which had been made for the purpose Of carry
ing passenger had been left behind at Rheims.
Another had been constructed. he said. to ac-
flight but II would be hardly suitable for the
princess.
After several test flights had been made by
the different aviatOrs. Rougiers aeroplane WAS
brought out for his attempt to capture the grand
prize. He made the first lap in 13 minutes and
- seconds and the second in 10 minutes and
~ seconds which included a stop to refill the
tank The third lap he covered in IL minutes
and 12 seconds the fourth in IL minutes and
- seconds and tho fifth in II minutes and o
seconds Instead of landing at the end Of thu
fifty kilometres Rougier made another lap. in
Il minutes and 80 seconds.
Bleriot made several brilliant flights. but did
not compete for the grand prize. after which
! Curtiss made his trial for the altitude prize.
| lie assembled TO Il height of hfty-one metres
Cabout 16l, feeO. thereby gaining second prize.
The first prize was awarded 90 Rougier. who
danced around with delight. saying: "Curtiss
is a true gentleman He might have gone higher
than /, but he promised 20 leave me- the first
prize. and ne has kept his word This is real
American chivalry." Rougier's record. made
several days ago. was one hundred metres
Lieutenant Caldorara was the winner Of the
passenger carrying event, for which prize of
$500 was offered. He made four rounds OF the
course with Lieutenant Savoia. He also capt
ured the national speed prize. the distance being
one lap. Curtiss added to his winnings by TAX
ing one Of the daily speed contests. we'll as
one OF the daily height events.
Great interest was shown when Gabrielle dan
nunziO. the dramatist. took his seat beside Cur
tiss. The aeroplane arose easily. and they made
several rounds of the course. amid much sp-
plause. Curtiss did not compete however. in
the passenger carrying contest
Mr. Curtiss remained at the aerodrome until
midnight. assisting in packing up his aeropane.
He will go by automobile with Cortlandt F.
Bishop 10 Milan. to morrow. He expects to reach
a definite decision with regard TO his Frankfort
and Berlin engagements while at Milan
Signor d'Annunzio. after completing a flight
tenant Calderara in a Wright machine at the
conclusion of which he said To the correspond
ents: when the Curtiss aeroplane began to
rise I had a feeling OF ecstatic JOY, only COM
parable with the idealist sensations of art and
love. The feeling of my own body's weight
seemed gradually 10 be lost The enchantment
was so great that to express IL can only recall
Ben Jonson's verses, oh. so soft. so sweet so
sweet is She
when, unfortunately. the aeroplane landed
was so distressed that felt Immediately must
fly again. and induced Lieutenant Calderara to
take me over the magic sensation"