The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-07-21
American Defender Half Mile
Ahead of Challenger.
TweIve-MiIe Breeze Causes
Yachts to Heel First Time.
FAKE TACK LOST FOR BURTON
Start Was Made in Comparative
Calm at Noon.
ReSOIute Turned Half Way
Mark 21s Minutes to Good.

Sandy Hook, July 21.-The Ameri-
can defender Resolute today won her
first race of the 1920 series for the
Americas cup. She must take two
more straight victories to prevent
Shamrock lifting the trophy
Sandy Hook. July 21-Fighting
hard to prevent Shamrock " winning
a third victory which would mean
that Sir Thomas Upton would finally
lift the Americas cup. Resolute round
ed the halfway mark in today's thirty
miles windwsrd and leeward contest,
well ahead of Shamrock. Resolute
turned the mark at 3:21:21 unofficial
time and Shamrock at 3:23:06.
One hour after the start of today's
race. the ResoIute was over half way
to the first turning mark of the course
and hundred yards in the lead The
Shamrock crossed the line first but
lost distance on a port tack shortly
after.
First Leg Pretty Race.
The first leg, a 15-mtle beat to wind
ward. furnished a pretty race as the
two yachts headed in until within a
mile of the Jersey coast. Shamrock
crossed the line 19 seconds ahead of
her rival. crept up three eighths OF a
mile ahead of Resolute. but the de-
fender worked better to windWard.
The challenger apparently stood too
far in shore and when they came
about on a series of short bitches, it
was seen the Resolute was in the lead
by about 100 yards. This lead she
gradually increased.
Burton tried repeatedly to fore
reach Resolute but once Adams got the
Br.tisher under his lee, he held him
there.
Officially, today's race is the third
of the series of five to decide posses
sion of the international cup. The
race run Saturday was called off be-
cause the sloops failed to make the
distance set within the six hour time
limit. Shamrock is accredited with
two victories and should the Irish
boat win again today, will lift the cup
which has been held nearly fifty years
by the New York Yacht club. This
is the first time in that time that any
challenger has even been within strik-
ing dis ance of a complete victory.
Breeze Was F'rcshcning.
With a dead calm on the course at
II o'clock the signal for a postpone
ment was first hoisted from the yacht
committe boat. but this was hauled
down at 1890 o'clock when a three
knot breeze ruffled the flat sea off
Sandy Hook. Both yachts were kept
busy shifting sails during the first
hour of the race, both trying to gain
every possible lift from the light
breeze. which showed slight signs of
increasing. At the end of the first
hour the Resolute held a 200yard
lead, Shamrock having lost more dis
tance by getting too close under the
highlands on the beach. At 2:35 the
wind freshened and both yachts were
IN a
eight-knot breeze which filled the sails
and caused both to heel slightly.
For First Time Hcclcd Over.
Shamrock was close under the de-
lenders lee The wind was freshen-
ing and both crafts were over on their
racing lines for the first time since
the series began.
Work in both boats was fast. Sham
rock made a fake tack coming up
with the end as if to go to port
At 2:50 the yachts were still stand
ing off shore for the mark. five miles
ahead The breeze increased to twelve
knots. the best that has favored the
sloops in the 1920 series. Resolute
was nearly half a mile ahead.
Shamrock Picking Up.
At 4:1O the yachts had sailed half of
the ieeward course and were within
seven and a half miles of the finish.
Resolute was leading by 400 yards.
dCC0EufliE u range LinQeIS on destroy
ers following the race.
At 4:15. however. Shamrock began
picking up on Resolute. gaining 25 or
so yards to a mile. Six miles from the
finish the challenger was 800 yards
astern.
Wind Holds to Finish.
Shamrock was footing fast and
gradually chopping down the defen-
der's lead.
At 4:25. Shamrock had reduced
Resolute's lead to 250 yards but then
Resolute started drawing ahead again
The finish was six miles distant and
the wind held at nine kno:s
Resolute led by thirty-five seconds
about 275 yards at 4;35 p. m.
At 4:40 o'clock. the ResoIute was
200 yards ahead. at four miles from
the finish the Resolute held her lead.
Three miles from the finish at 4:4S.
Resolute was leading by $50 Yards
The wind held well.