New-York tribune., 1920-02-18

discussed the question OF the so
called 'Marconi, or leg O. mutton rig,
and informed you that we would
leave 1t to you to determine
whether this rig should be adopted,
but that If you determine this in
the affirmative, then both vessels
should be held to 1t throughout the
races.
"You now inform US that you will
not adopt the 'Marconi' rig, and we
therefore accept your decision as ap-
plying to both vessels.
"Of course, you understand, as
your letter clearly shows. that by
the 'Marconi' rig, to which we re-
ferred and which our letter dis
cussed, we meant that type Of rig
under which, as you express 1t, tho
whole of the area abaft the mast
is in one SAIL
"Our letter did not refer to the
type of topsail to be carried If gaff
mainsail was adopted, and upon this
point we are of opinion that either
vessel, SO long a. she carries a gaff
mainsail, is at liberty to adopt what
ever form of gaff topsail she please,
but we must decline to change our
rule OF measurement of sail area to
accommodate any particular form of
club topsail.
Having, as we understand, now
reached an agreement upon the va
rious points which we have discussed,
l beg herewith to enclose conditions
OF the match for the Americas Cup,
which are the same as those which
were agreed upon for the proposed
races in 1914, with the exception of
the points which we have discussed
with you in our present correspond
ence and the conclusions reached
upon these points are embodied
therein.
I'VE are sending these conditions
to you in duplicate and have caused
them to be signed on behalf of the
New York Yacht Club. l trust you
VIII find that these conditions cor
rectly set forth the agreement which
we have reached and that YOU viii
return copy signed on behalf of
your club.
&c. A. CORMACK,
Secretary, Americas Cup Com
mittee."
Preparations Soon Under Way
In accepting these conditions as out
lined by the New York Club, the Royal
Ulster Yacht Club cleared the wav for
quick acceptance of the challenge
and with these formalities complete
tn actual preparations for the regatta
will soon be under way. In the main
the conditions will be the same as
would have obtained had the races
been held in 1914 and the challenger
Will be the Shamrock w, cutter rigged
with an approximate water line length
of seventy-five feet.
With tho acc,roroo {I,o%
lenge would be accepted by the New
York Yacht Club, Sir Thomas Upton
had Shamrock w put overheard sew.
eral weeks ago at the South Brooklyn
basin where she has been housed since
her arrival here in 1914.
The challenging yacht was taken to
City Island on Long Island Sound
where she is now in winter quarters
at Jacobs yard, undergoing alterations
recommended by Charles D. Nicholson
who designed the vessel.
Regardless of the very severe winter
weather which has prevailed since the
change of quarters, the work Of alter
alton was not interrupted. The Yacht
is completely housed in a buildine
which is lighted with electricity and
we'll heated so that the workmen were
not hampered in any way
Robert Jacob" proprietor of the City
Island yard. is Mpe rvising the work OF
alterations. He is in daily communi-
cation by cable with either Sir Thomas
or Mr.. Nicholson, so that both the
owner and designer are kept in close
touch with the operations on this side
Of the Atlantic.
Shamrock's Keel Shortened
1t is understood that chief among
the changes which are being made or
the Shamrock w is the shortening o1
her keel from 85 to 80 feet The i'm
mediate effect of this reduced kee
base will be to quicken the action OF
the aloop in going in stays. Racing
with shorter keel, 1t Is said, the Wis.
iting yacht will be more susceptible tc
heeling to leeward in a stiff breeze
than il the keel had been allowed tc
remain the original length.
The change will give the Upton
sloop greater tendency to heel to the
breeze and enable her to sail on g
longer water line base. Yachtsmer
look upon Designer Nicholson's deci.
sion on these radical changes as q
bold stroke. He Is making bid 70,
greater efficiency in windward work
although the yacht will have the ad.
casion requires
Sir Thomas, It. Is understood, ha,
given Mr.. Nicholson absolute freedom
to alter or add to the racing rig OF
Shamrock w so as to obtain the great
est possible speed on every point.