1890 New York Canoe Club International Challenge Cup

A Foul Loses Ford Jones the Race

Sports and Pastimes Section, Toronto Daily Mail, Sep 3 1890

New York, Sep 2 - The International Challenge cup of the New York Canoe Club will not leave this country for the present at least. The result of today's race decided the abiding place of the trophy until it is again challenged for. The race was a very pretty contest in itself, and although the Canadian canoeist, Mr. Ford Jones, did very well, and was winning, he will not carry the cup away as he unfortunately fouled one of the turning buoys and was consequently disqualified.

The International challenge cup bears the same relation to canoeing that the America's cup does to yachting. It has not been raced for since 1888, when Mr. Walter Stewart, of the Royal Canoe Club, London, came to this country and attempted to carry the trophy back to England with him. After several trial races, Reginald S. Blake, of the Brooklyn Canoe club, with his canoe Eclipse, was chosen to defend it. Mr. Blake won the series without difficulty, and has held the cup ever since. The last challenger was Mr. Ford Jones, of the Brockville (Ont.) Canoe Club, who had the reputation of being an exceedingly able canoeist, and who has won quite a reputation with his celebrated little Canuck.

The first of the trial races to select the defender was held last Friday, when Mr. Paul Butler, of the Lowell (Mass.) club, in the Wasp, won. The next took place on Saturday, when Mr H. L. Quick, of the Yongers Canoe Club , in the Uno, was successful. Mr. Quick was again successful on Monday morning, and was chosen to sail in defence of the cup. The first race for the trophy was called on Monday afternon, and was won by Mr. Quick after a close and exciting contest.

The second race came off today, and as it happened was the last. The course in the international races was the same triangular one that was used for the trials, starting from the clubhouse at Stapleton, around a buoy off Fort Wadsworth and back to the clubhouse. The course was sailed over three times in each race, making an estimated total of eight miles.

When all was ready for the start yesterday the balcany of the clubhouse was filled with spectators, among them being many ladies and several prominent canoeists. Bowyer Vaux was there and the scene reminded him of the days when with the Dot he won many victories. The wind was west by south, blowing in fitful gusts and puffs, and the tide was ebb, running out like a mill race when the little craft manouvered for a start. Both crossed the line together at 12:10, neither having any advantage. After the long pier which juts out from Stapleton had been weathered Quick got out of the tide first and forged ahead, rounding the first buoy twenty one seconds ahead of the Canadian. The American kept his lead and passed the club-house about the same distance ahead.

By skilful handling the Canadian drew up, and when the first buoy was reached the canoes rounded it together, Quick being on the inside. Coming up before the wind the Candian drew away, and passing the club-house was head. He kept gaining, and had a comfortable lead when the turning point was reached for the last time. Here he attempted to make a close turn, but the wind suddenly dropped, and the tide swept him against the buoy so that he struck it with his rudder, doing no material damage to his boat, but losing the race for its owner, as according to the rules he was disqualified.The Canadian kept on and came up with the wind and the tide wing and wing, crossing the finish line two minutes 37 seconds ahead of his opponent. When Mr. Quick came in he generously offered to call the race off and have it sailed over again, but Mr. Jones, in just as sprtsmanlike a matter, declined saying the race was won and lost , and that it was settled that the cup should remain here. This decision is to be regretted, as Mr Joness has shown himself to be a skilful canoeist, and the third race would have been looked forward to with the greatest interest.

These reports were first printed in the Toronto Daily Mail. The understanding of the editor is that works of this age are in the public domain under Canadian Law.