New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-04
Cup Defenders Finish Only
So Seconds Apart on
Actual Time in Light
Weather Test.
BY CAPT. JAMES c. SUMMERS.

The Resolute and the Vanitie met
yesterday on Long Island Sound in
their first race of the thirteen sched-
uled for them this season, and the
Resolute. last seasons most consistent
winner. was the victor by the small
margin Of SO seconds on actual time.
The Vanitie started - seconds after
the expiration Of her two-minute ham
dicap. so that officially the Resolute
won by I minute seconds.
Some of those who watched this per
fcctly groomed pair Of candidates for
the defence of the old Americas Cup
as they travelled at high speed in the
absolutely smooth water under the in
fuence Of the light brcczcs accorded
them, agreed that the Gardner sloop,
under the careful handling Of William
Butler Duncan and his new crew Of
amateurs and professionals. 81 lows bet
ter speed under light weather condi-
tons than last season. Inc Resolute's
friends insist that she, also, is faster
than ever. 49,,
With breeze of a little more
strength the day would have been ideal
for light weather test. As IT was II
was too light and variable although
both Yachts were close enough to be
equally served throughout the race. l.
was a pity that they had no windward
q
suited in a better test.
The start, which was 10 have been
made off Great Captains Island at
o'clock. was postponed on account OF
the shooting of Mr.. Morgan. Word
was sent to the committee yacht VI
king. at that time of the island, that
the race had been called OIL ana j,
was not until three hours later that
those in charge decided 20 race.
With a light sOuthcrly breeze, which
would rive them fair wind for the
first leg Of the course chosen from
Glen Cove to the white buoy "B' OIL
Great Captains Island-the yachts
came for the line with sheets eased
broad off to port, club topsails alott
and ballooners being broken out as
they approached it, The Nanltle's
crew broke out her spinnaker before
She reached the line which was on
Motifs Point and the Resolutes men
had that sloop's sail drawing soon
after she crossed
CAPTAIN Charles Ftarcis Adams, at
the wheel Of the Herreshof sIooP'
sent her away minute 90 seconds al
ter the signal from the VIKING by
reason Of the light vinG. Captain Dun
can. who handled the Nanitie' was
unable 10 get her away Wl'nn the
time liml: of two minutes. Sne crossed
Is seconds late. On board the keso-
Lutte. besides her manager. Kooert EH-
mons. %. were George A. CormacK
and George Nichols. lu me Nahl'le
afterguord there were James spark
man and Commando Sawyer /. ,. y.
Crossing the Sound 20 the hrSI
mark there was lit..e 10 choose De
tween ,he big sloops. The Rcsolute
held her lead until aboL. half ne as
lance was covered, ~nen tne "lhu
headed both yachts. In came the
spinnakers. sheets were trimmed 70
mort and the Nanitic oyerhauled ner
rival bit. At the urn she was only
Al seconds astern. Luifing there. they
stood on 10 the mex. mark OF WOOL
sev's reef under practically the same
sail. and there the Nanitie had gained
some more. She was now only 10
ssconds i'm the Resolute's wake.
The wind had by this time hauled 20
the southwest. making 1t close reach
Tor them from the last mark 20 the
fnish. Sheets were hattened down on
the port tack and baby Jlb topsalls SET
and both shippers settled down 70 the
frs. good chance 20 SHOW speed they
had had during the race. Both yachts
heeled 10 the breeze, which had fresh.
ened considerably, and the feet O.
steam yachts which conveyed the