The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-07-26
BRITISH BOAT
GOT LEAD EARLY
Shamrock w Crossed the
Starting Line Fully a
Minute Ahead
IN THE FIFTH RACE
TO DECIDE SERIES
Shippers Had a Lively Tilt
at the Outset of
the Race

Sandy Hook, n. j., July 26.-Sham
rock ~, the big green sloop with which
Sir Thomas Upton hopes to-day to lift
the Americas cup, sped first across the
line to-day at the start of the fifth in
ternational yacht race, which will de
eide the 1920 series
Starting on the first l5-mile leg of
her 80 mile course, run south by west
half west out TO sea, Shamrock passed
over the starting line at the Ambrose
channel hghtship at l2;30;2o, official
time, and her rival followed at l2:3l:.
%, after the starting signal had been
sounded at 1880.
Shamrock and her rival broke out
big reaching iibs and set their spin
maker booms to starboard.
Shamrock hauled on his wind and
headed to the westward in an effort TO
get by Resolute. which was to weather
and killing the Englishman's wind
Once clear skipper Burton evidently
planned to wear ship and lay his course
for the mark. Resolute. however, chung
close to Shamrock, which lost ground
by the maneuvers. At l2;37 the two
shippers still were fighting their tight
little battle off the course. Finally the
Englishman headed away slowly for
the mark, then hauled his wind again
and stood inshore. The match still con
tinued and the shippers got far off
their course, each fighting to gain the
advantage of position in the run down
before the wind. They seemed 10 main
tain about an even sailing speed.
At l2;45 the sloops Vere moving
very slowly. with Shamrock still out
ahead. She had failed. however, to
gain on Resolute since the start The
yachts were nearly two miles TO the
westward of the course.
Neither skipper cared to give way
and both held on their course inshore.
After the sloops had elung together
as if locked. the Englishmsn at I2:52
began to swing on his course with the
American still TO weather preparing to
kill his wind once he got on his true
course for the mark boat. Apparently
Captain Burton could not get clear
with Shamrock and he resumed the
lufiing match in fight for the wind,
which was so puffy that il was hard
to see how the racers could finish with
in the six hour time limit
At l;25 O'Clock p. m, when the
yachts had passed Scotland lightship,
the dark outline of new wind could
be seen TO the southwest, far down the
Jersey coast. Shamrock had increased
her lead slightly, but both yachts were
moving very slowly
In order 10 gain every slight ad
vantage Shsmrock's crew sat along the
lee rail with their legs hanging over
board. in order that the big racer
might get closer to her best sailing
line.
At 1882 O'Clock the race was little
more than a drifting Shamrock had
ghosted out about three minutes ahead
OF Resolute. but. in point of position,
it was doubtful II she was any closer
the outer mark.
At l;35 o'clock the yachts were
five miles of their course and
within three miles Of the beach.
At l:4l O'Clock they finally jibed over
and stood along on a southerly course.
Shamrock was clear Of any wind inter
ference by Resolutt.
At l:50 Resolute passed Shamrock
on the way to the outer mark and was
holding a better breeze.