AQUATICS.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17418, 31 March 1922, Page 10

AQUATICS.

WORLD'S SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP. (special to "the press.") WANGANUI, March SO. . Interest is growing in tha raco for the world's sculling championship, to be rowed on the Wanganui river on April 18th, between Hadfield andi Paddon. Both ecullers are doing steady work on the river, though unsettled weather is interfering with therrf. Aa a consequence, Paddon is finding difficulty in keeping his weight down, but hi 3 trainer is confident that he will go to the post in the pink of condition. Tho big Australian, rows with a long, sweeping Btroke. tiiß catch is not as clean and crisp as it might bo, but Paddon gets fine pace out of his craft, wiiich he steers well. Accompanied by Casey and Larsen, his trainer and pacer respectively, the challenger can be seen jn the upper stretches of tho river daily. Today he cov.-'ied the full championship course in a style that left little to be desired, lie rowed 20 to 22 strokes per minute over a couple "of miles, and then, when nearing his camp, increased to 28, finishing over the last 200 yards at 3G to 38.

Tho champion (Hadfield) already looks in tip-top condition, as the result of the work he iB putting in. If the water is too rough for sculling, he goes over tho hills and along the road, which exercise suits him admirably. To-day Hadfield covered the whole course twice. He started at 20 to the minute, which ho increased to 24 niter passing the two mile po3t, and finished at about 2G. The :ow was in cvory way a splendid one. Hia catch iB a good one, and there is tremendous power behind his strokes.

The committee who have charge of the raco have all arrangements well in hand. At a meeting held last night it was decided to issue invitations to the Governor-General, the Prime Minister, thi Leader of the Opposition, and the immediate past Prime Minister.