The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, September 30, 1983, Page 8, Image 8
Australians earn
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A 132-year tradition came to an end Monday in
Newport, R.I., as the America's Cup turned into,
the "Australia's" Cup. In the race that tests man's
fascination with the seas, the men from Down
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The Australians clearly had the faster boat, and
handled her masterfully. Australia II slid past
Liberty in the seventh and deciding America's Cup
race on the tranquil Rhode Island Sound. The
Americans struggled valiantly, after having taken a
3-1 lead. However, they couldn't overcome the
handicap of having a slower boat.
Unfortunately this extraordinarily close series in
a very long competition culminated when the
challenger surged ahead to take the treasured silver
trophy that the New York Yacht Club had held
through 25 challenges since 1851. The secret was a
radical winged keel that thrust the challenger ahead
by 41 seconds.
The Americans aren't giving up this one without
a fight. There has been some talk that the
Australians violated a rule that specifies the criteria
for a boat's national origin. Apparently, the
Australians did a small amount of testing of their
revolutionary keel in tne Netherlands.
Any sensible individual would see the lameness
of this argument. Because Australia is such a
backward country, it might lack the technology
necessary to build something as sophisticated as a fj
high-speed yacht. The fact that they had to go
elsewhere to do some of the design work should not To
be surprising. ]
Without a doubt, the boat that won the cup was ter
Australian, and its crew was the victor, fair and t&}
rue
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There is something to be said about facing an rid
adversary who has been the holder of the coveted
trophy for 132 years, regardless of one's nationality fo]
(132 years ago the yacht 4 * America*' won the cup
from a fleet of British boats.) da,
How did we lose the cup? pei
It was a simple case of America getting too big we
for her britches. The New York Yacht Club knew we
what it was up against with the Australians, and yet Sui
it didn't build a more reliable challencer hecause nf
un)
a minute superiority complex. The Americans had tafc
got a bit too much in the habit of winning, a posi- ]
tion in which Americans should never be. dcv
It now is a question of integrity. When a country ^
successfully defends a title 25 times in a row, one pi!j
might question the fairness of the competition. Of in
course, we know America is the epitome of "fair res
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pmy, nuwever, wins in a row is noi gooa ior
anyone's reputation. ^
One should look at this set back as being semi- [f
permanent. The Australians will accept challenges
for a series to begin in January, 1987. It's a good |i
bet that Americans will return for the cup. And ^
when we do come back, it will likely be with a boat
with equipment that slightly resembles that T<
renowned Australian 44keel." tc
i fiftmorAfU hi
VVIIII1?W^I1 th
Editor in Chief Ol
Johnny Boggs
Copy Desk CNef Curt Cottle Copy Editor Mark Armstrong r!?
News Editor Chris Handal Copy Editor Beverly Simmons C
Asst. News Editor David Hit! Copy Editor Leigh Jones ?
Opinion Page Editor .. Ellen McCarthy Copy Editor Alan Seim "
Ent. Editor Juke Jameson Copy Editor Mark Farmer
i Asst. Ent. Editor Joan Kirchner 111
) Sports Editor Jeff Rogers General Menager RonEmhr I Si
\ Asst. Sports Editor.... Andrew MHIer Ad Manager Linda S. Haines I
ur. . r l r*. u... i. ii.a.l.m B
f ??ire touor tcrwra uunton ouiiiwm monayer jean natcnm
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I Asst. Photo Editor Joe Jackson Graduate Asst Wanda M. Hita
I Graphics f-ditor Bath Harrison Adviser ttork Hthrkfga Jr. A
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The Betomck tetters and <pm\ editorials. AH lattars and guest ?j
t I nGttriats muet he typewritten, triple spaced on 05-fpaoMnt.
I Utters should be no longer then 300 words and guest editorial should he limited J
' I to one newsworthy subject no tonger then four typed pages. letters and guest
I editorials MUST bo signed with the writer's name, telephone number, mailing ad q
' I dress, class standing or faculty position and major. Pseudonyms are unacceptable, c(
i but the writer's name may be withheld upon request if the circumstances warrant.
I We reserve the right to edit guest editorials and letters. Q)
I Address letters and columns to: Opinion Page Editor, Gamecock, Drawer A, USC,
I Columbia, S.C. 29208.
OpinioN
"neuuo...s
f^rt
lorseshoe residents 'int
the Editor: THERE IS one di:
[ am incensed after reading the let- irrational residents ai
s in the Sept. 21 Gamecock. All the persons in our soc
k and complaints of the inconve- writing graffiti on '
nces imposed on the Horseshoe persons attempt 1
idents is, in my opinion, petty and displeasure in other
iculous. they try to kill pre;
First of all, the inconvenience lasted Serret Service did nr
r an intolerably long five hours. the Horseshoe reside
)w many residents are in their rooms assassinate President
>m 11:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every Take a realistic li
yt Secondly, it was one five-hour precautions were takt
lod. That's it, not every day for a tect ihe president
ek. It was on a day when classes dividuals who feel
re being held, not a Saturday ^ or their discontent in sti
imay wnen we nice 10 reiax. miraiy, a letter to the editor,
ne of the residents obviously do not
derstand why the precautions were The affair was held
;en. rather than WilliamsDid
the Secret Service break your the Township not to i
or down, ransack your room, drink residents, but fo
ur beer or hold you at gunpoint? significance. It is the
>. They searched the surrounding Qf USC where p
jmises because there are individuals Reagan have spoken
our country who, like some dorm rally; it was an hon
iidents, have no tolerance. leader of our countr
lolderman pleased
ly student response
o the Editor:
Thank you for this opportunity to express my appreciation
> the entire Carolina family for its effort Sept. 20. The
istoric occasion of the convocation honoring the president of
te United States was, indeed, an u-nparalled event in the life
r i icr
I v-/ kJV/
Because of the special nature of the day, many special aringements
were necessary. The university responded with
laracteristic vigor and spirit that has become the benchmark
f USC. Let me assure you this made quite an impression on
resident Ronald Reagan.
Affflin I ISr1 arinrAfiafoc ?Vio ~ ?1 - 1
?o-?, ??? ?PP>vviHivj iiiv wiiiiivuiiuiis inauc uy Cctcn
ember of our student body, faculty and staff in making
spt. 20 an unforgettable day.
Jemes Holderman
USC President
.ibrary user chilled
ly air conditioning
o the Editor:
Isn't it ridiculous students and employees at Thomas
ooper Library must go outside to warm up because the air
>nditioning is running, wasting unnecessary energy?
Why can't the air conditioner at least be cut off regardless
F whether the heat is cut on or not? Save energy for the
inter.
Name withheld by request
>?XT"
GX*S
olerant/ student says
fference between respect no matter what your opinion of
id the intolerant him may be.
iety: instead of How would the complaining
walls, intolerant residents react if someone had shot the
to show their president from their room window
ways ? namely, because the Secret Service consented to
sidents. No, the not inconvenience the students? How
>t suspect any of would the residents feel if they were
;nts of trying to the president speaking in a place the
Ronald Reagan. premises of which had not been in ok
at why the spected for danger?
;n. It was to profrom
those inthey
must show I THINK the attitude shown by
ronger ways than some of the Horseshoe residents is one
of narrow-mindedness and immaturity.
I would think we could expect more
1 in the Horseshoe from some of our honor students.
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inconvenience the president one hell of a lot more imporr
the historic tant than the massive, cruel inconve:
original campus nience caused to a few people who are
residents before too intolerant to understand?
. It wasn't a pep
ored visit by the Christian Pruitt
y who commands Business junior
Editorial 'applauded'
To the Editor:
The lead editorial in the first issue of the Gamecock suggested
that those individuals and organizations who take a
firm stand to promote the responsible use of alcohol should
be applauded. I just want to "applaud" the editorial staff
of the Ciamecnrk fnr what I thnnoht a Hnialu dnnifi
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cant column.
As the university's major student publication, I believe it
is the responsibility of the Gamecock to help develop the
awareness and sensitivity of students to issues that pertain
to them. I hope the staff will continue to deal with other
significant issues in the same responsible manner.
Dennis Pruitt
Acting dean of student affairs
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