Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-07-27
YACHTS ARE AWAY
ON FINAL RACE;
SHAMROCK LEADS
Capt. Burton Berths Chal-
Ienger Nicely for ''Last"
Cup Effort.
By the Associated Press.

SANDY HOOK, N. j., July IL
Shamrock w today led Resolute
across the starting line in the final
international yacht race to settle the
destiny of the Americas cup.
The warning signal was blown at
2:10, and the sloops began jockeying
for the start. with their baby jib top
sails set up in stops.
Starting on the thirty-mile wind
ward and leeward course charted for
this afternoon, Shamrock had the bet
ter of it, her skipper berthing her
nicely to windward before the yachts
crossed the line.
Both yachts hung back when the
starting signal was sounded at 2:15,
and failed to reach the line before the
two-minute handicap limit expired.
Preparing for the first leg. a fifteen
mile beat to windward from the Am
brose channel lightship south-south-
west to a point off Asbury Park, the
sloops stood along to southwark of the
line, then headed for the lightship,
reached past the line. and. coming
about, headed for it when the starting
signal was sounded.
The official starting time was the
same for both boats, at 2:17. because
both had failed to cross within the
two-minute handicap limit.
ReSolute carried mainSail, staySail,
outer jib and club topsail. Shamrock
carried the same sails, but did not
break out her staysail until later.
At 1:45 the postponing flag was
hauled down.
The preparatory signal was sounded
at o'clock for start at 2:15.
Wind Picked In Slightly.
The wind had picked up off shore
to about three knots, but few spec
tators believed the yachts could finish
within the six-hour time unless it
freshened considerably.
Southwest winds usually blow
stronger as the afternoon advances,
and this probably was the reason for
ordering a start
The code flag "A r Pr was set. in
dicating outh-southwest course
for the final race. This will give the
yachts a fifteen mile beat to wind
ward down the Jersey coast from the
Ambrose channel lightship to\ point
off Asbury Park, with a run home.
The regatta committee announced
that the time allowance which Sham
rock must give Resolute would re-
main at 6 minutes 40 seconds
Although eager to run of the final
race and break the tie for the Amer
ica's cup. shippers of Resolute and
Shamrock w found scarcely a cupful
of air when they reached the Ambrose
channel 1ightship.
Tried to @Buy Breexe..
whistling. for the wind and even
pitching pennie e; into the sea to buy
a breeze failed to bring results. and
at 1916, three quarters of an hour
after the time originally set for the
start. the sloops were washing about
the lightship on a slight ground swell
Announcement was made today
aboard Sir Thomas Lipton's chartered
yacht that the cup sloops would be
dry docked tomorrow if they were
unable to finish within the time limit
in the event that a start of the fifth
race was ordered today.
Crews Astir Early
Crews OF the two sloops-each with
two victories to their credit-were
astir early this morning. prepared to
resail their race, which was post
poned Saturday because of a south
wester and declared of yesterday
when the yachts failed to finish a
drifting match within the six-hour
time limit.
Out of all the uncertainties that
have surrounded this years contest
for a hundred guinea mug there has
doomed one strong probability-victor
or loser in 1920, Sir Thomas Upton. a
principal in the yachting serial since
1899, will be a principal again in the
next installment.
Whether his role will be that of
challenger or defender probably will
be settled today. but. principal he
will doubtless be, for he has made it
known that if he fails this time to lift
the cup he will make his fifth attempt
in 1922 with a new Shamrock.
And. Of course, II he does this time
achieve his life's ambition and the
Royal Ulster Yacht Club is promptly
challenged for possession of the price
less trophy. there is little doubt that
Sir Thomas will be as quick to build
a defender as he was a challenger.
At least. this is the opinion of the
Irish baronet's friends.
Hopes for Real Race,
Charles E. Nicholson. Shamrock's s
designer, hoped that the race would
not be determined by a fuke wind
and that the contest would demon
strate the sailing ability of the sloops
win or lose" said Mr.. Nicholson
1--WE have learned much here that will
be invaluable in the event of another
challenge"
The yachting forces of Sir Thomas
Upton agree that a boat for boat con-
test for the cup would provide a bet
ter sport for the public. and add that
any challenger has little hope of VIC
tory if it has to concede a heavy time
handicap to the defender
Some of Shamrocks crew are be-
coming restive over the races, as they
have come to the conclusion that the
challenger cannot go to weather with
Resolute and that a craft that fails on
that point of sailing cannot lift the
cup. Believing they have no chance
to win, the sailors are ready to return
to England and do not wish to remain
here for any further sailing on Sham