New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-30
COMMENT ON SPORTS
Time Has Come to Dust OH
Great Trophy of the Seas.
REAL HOP. FOR A RACE
News and Views on Live Topics
of the Day, Both Amateur
and Professional.


ago that he had high hopes that yachts
men would see him off Sandy Hook IN
1914 with his racing flag up the applause
was so hearty and spontaneous that one
could readily see which way the wind was
blowing Sir Thomas Upton is generally
recognized as one of the best and gamest
sportsmen who ever took part In an in
ternational competition, and another chaI-
lenge from him for the Americas Cup
would be welcomed not only by yachts
men, but by all those interested in any
branch of sport. 1t is generally known
that a clause in the deed OF gift under
which the famous trophy Of the seas is
held by the New York Yacht Club has
been the stumbling block to race since
the Shamrock III was beaten by the Re-
lance. in 1903, nine years ago last Sep
TENDER. 1t is still stumbling block, as
10 restrictions are placed on scantling
measurements. whereas 1t is provided that
the challenging yacht must cross the
ocean and come to these shores on Its own
bottom. AS It happens, this is more thah
a stumbling block-it is barrier so high
end withal so thick that challenge Is
practically prohibited.
Sir Thomas wants the New York Yacht
club TO so amend the deed Of gift that
challenge can be made and accepted under
the universal rule which insures
healthier type Of boat and one when
could cross the ocean with some degree
of safety. His hopefulness that he VIII
be seen of Sandy Hook in 1914 with an
other Shamrock would indicate that some
assurances have been given that some
changes would be made IN the deed which
would give him something more than an
outside chance. 1 have talked to many
yachtsrnen and tho feeling seems TO be
general that the time has come for action
Nobody wants to see the cup stored away
on the shelf, as safe from attack as an
arInored cruiser from battery or pop
rims and It seems as If something should
80 done 10 restore II to competition with"
out IN any way cheapening its value as
the blue ribbon trophy OF the seas.
II has been contended, and with some
reason that the Americas Cup stands FOR
the highest development OF speed III
Yachting construction. This is at 1t should
be but not at the cost, perhaps, or men
lives in trying to cross the ocean in some
ainsv shell of freak construction or at the
expense Of the true spirit of sportsman
shin. Since the deed Of gift was written
such giant strides have been taken in the
building and designing Of yachts that the
lime has come when stability and sea-
worthy qualities have been sacrificed TO
extreme speed. This would be well
enough in its way. II the challenging az
vel as the defending yacht could be built
in this country and money was no oo-
iect but the deed Of gift precludes this.
and with it all fair chance of competition
under the conditions which obtain. 1t
was plainly the purpose OF those who
framed the deed to encourage the building
Of yachts which could cross the ocean,
and surely the spirit Of that purpose is
violated by the very clause which now
acts as a boomerang.
Sir Thomas has explained more than
once how il was necessary for him to
hire two steamers to accompany his last
shamrock across the Atlantic and how
he was forced TO pay eXorbitant sums
TO the sailors who risked their lives in
bringing the yacht from Great Britain.
The bones OF two cup defenders at City
Island are mute evidence OF the useless
ness of this type of yacht for anything
except a race for the cup. Boats which
cost a small fortune have been worth no
more I'm most cases after the races were
over than the metal and spars. One or
two have been converted into schooners,
hut at so much additional cost that the
loutlay was questionable. Surely there
lare reasons, and ample reasons, for
Ianending this clause which has come
10 be an old man of the sea TO those
,aspiring for the trophy. No stimulus
of yachting, perhaps, is needed, as the
snort is in a most healthy and prosperous
condition, but this particular cup was
offered for international competition. and
es no other cup, no matter what Its value,
can fill the requirements or satisfy the
taste for racing, something should be
done TO make such race possible.
Slowly but none the less surely Prince
ton is breaking off all athletic relations
with Cornell, and it SENS pity, too, as
the two institutions should be natural
rivals. The dual track and field meet
is the latest to be dropped, and the
Princeton management offers the same
reason as was assigned when the foot
ball game was cut off the schedule
namely, the hardship Of trip to Ithaca
This may be q good reason, but 1t does
seem as II both colleges could we'll afford
TO make some sacrifices for the sake OF
maintaining an athletic relationship
which 1 have been advised has always
been most friendly and satisfactory.
Commenting on the loss Of this dual
track meeting with Princeton, the Cor
nell Daily Sun" says editorially: THE
dropping from the Cornell track sched-
ule for an indefinite period Of the annual
dual meet with Princeton is cause for
the deepest regret among the alumni and
undergraduates Of both universities. Held
annually since 1889, this event had begun
10 assume the proportions OF an inter-
university tradition, both to followers Of
the Orange and Black and of the Red
and White. Whatever may be the con-
sideratons impelling the management at
our sister institution to break off rela-
tons on the track with Cornell. certain
il is that none but the most convincing
reasons would satisfy the alumni and
undergraduates of either university Of
the desirability or necessity of making
this separation permanent. Comedians
linz ..( 81,