The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-15

New York. December 14-As has been
forecast for several months, the coming
year promises to stand out as record
breaking period in international sport
competition, with the United States acting
as host for a number of cup hunting con-
testants. Challenges have already been
received for the Americas yacht cup and
the polo cup. The Davis tennis trophy
will have to be defended, and oxford uni
versity has accepted an invitation to enter
a team at the University of pennsylvania 9
relay carnival to be held on April %.
These are but the forerunners of other
International events yet TO be announced,
and 1t becomes more evident each month
that the United States sportsman is going
to have an exceedingly busy season de-
Tending his various trophies during 1914.
Confronting this situation a resume of the
invading and defending strength of chal-
lengers and opponents is both logical and
timely.
By all odds the most important event OF
the coming year will be the effort of Sir
Thomas Upton to regain the Americas
cup with his Shamrock ". The new
challenger, now building at Gosport. is
expected to be the last word in English
speed yachts, and, according to Designer
Charles e. Nicholson. will show sur
prising turn of speed and several inno-
vations In the way of build and rig. w.
p. Burton, an English amateur wachts-
man of renown, will sail Shamrock "
and Albert Turner will act as captain.
Great secrecy is being maintained re-
garding Lipton's latest yacht, but 1t is
understood that special thought is being
given to the light breezes and rolling swell
course during the autumn days of Sep
tember
Situation Complicated
The situation from a defending stand
point Is more complicated, since at least
three 75-footers are assured as candidates
for the task or defeating Shamrock ".
The Vanderbilt syndicate yacht building at
Herreshoffs yard at Bristol, r. l., will
be In charge of r.. w. Emmons, I'd, with
Capt. Chris Christensen as skipper.
A. S. Cochrans yacht, to be designed
by William Gardner, and built by Lawley
& Son of Boston, will be handled by
Capt. William Dennis and Capt. Harry
Hoff. The third yacht to be financed by
New York, Philadelphia and Boston
yachtsmen, will be designed by George
Owen and will be In charge of G. NJ. Pyn-
chon, owner of the racing sloop Istalena.
While the yachtsmen are in the throes
of tuning up races. the sixth contest for
the international polo cup will, be wit
messed. probably at Meadow Brook, l..
l.. and here again the United States is
going to have lively time defending the
cup against the attack Of Lord Ashby st.
Ledgers' challenging four. As was the
case in 1913. unlimited money Is at the
disposal of the challengers. and the worll
is being searched for the fastest polo
ponies In order that the English team
may not be handicapped by slow or poorly
trained mounts. According to present
plans Lord st. Ledgers does not intend
to leave anything to chance. number
OF the best English players and ponies will
go to Madrid early In the spring for a
severe course of training and practice be-
fore coming to the states.
"Big Four" to Retire
According to announcement made I'M
mediately after the polo matches of 1913
the American "big four consisting OF
Capt. II. P. Whitney, Larry Waterbury,
Monte Waterbury and Devereux Milburn,
decided to cease cup defending as a team,
but 1t Is thought that when the battle cry
sounds again a majority of the four will