WHELCH'S DECISIVE WIN.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 481, 14 April 1909, Page 8

WHELCH'S DECISIVE WIN.

ARNST'S OPINION. THE AUSTRALIAN ROWED OUT. (BY TELEGRAriI— r-RESS ASSOCIATION.) Christchurch, April 13. In connection with tlio defeat of Fogwoll by Whelch in tho sculling championship of Now Zealand, tho winner, interviewed, said:—"There was hard going for tho first mile and a half. I did not know what Fogwell could do, hut I thought it was going to bo a pretty hard go, but that if I could hold him for half the distanco I was right. Ho led rao by half a length for a mile and a quarter, but I was digging them in pretty hard and feeling as fit as a fiddle. I was level at the mile and a half, and then ho seemed to tiro. No, I did not reckon anything on position, and if I had won tho toss I believe 1 would have taken the outside posi-; tion. Tho water all tho way was everything that could bo desired. I must saj that my boat, built in Now Zealand, is a really good one, and the model of her as a racing skiff is excellent, but tho weight is in her too, and for a man of lOst. a boat of 311b. is too heavy; 231b. or 241b. is quite enough. I rowed in Webb's boat, length 25ft., beam llin., and weight 271b. 1 rowed with New Zealand sculls made by Harry Norton, and everything was satisfactory.

Whelch Would Meet Thoroughgood. "I have no intentions yet of taking on any sculling (continued Whelch). I .will rest for a spell on tho championship. Of course, tho man I would naturally like to meet first is Thoroughgood, but I think he ought to come hero on the samo conditions as I went to Australia on." Whelch stated that he felt much bettor than when lie was defeated by Thoroughgood iu Now South Wales, for then ho was only 9st. 81b., although his ordinary weight is lOst. "My good condition," lie said, "I put down to Webb's training. Wo have worked hard for a win with different exercises in and out of the boat."

A Frank Lossr. Fogwell frankly told an interviewer in n few words that lie liad rowed until ho was sick .with the unusual exertion, the pace being too strong for h'im. "After I had gone a mile," he said, "I thought I had him well in hand, hut after that he kept on coming at rue. Whelch is a real sticker. I will never raco again," added Fogwoll, "this is my second defeat, and I would not aslc anyone elso to back me." Ho stated that Whelch had considerably surprised him, and had put up a much better raco than ho expected. '"L'hero is not much to say," said R. Arnst, the world's champion sculler, who trained Fogwell. "Whelch was too good, and rowed him until he was sick. Whelch will be a terribly hard man to beat, hecauso I know what Fogwell can do over a distance."

Course for Arnst-Webb Match. A strong effort is being mado to have the Arnst-Webb world's championship rowed at Akaroa. It is understood that it is merely a question of monetary inducement. The peoplo of Akaroa have guaranteed a certain sum. It is believed that tho decision will depend on tho allowance, if any. which tho Union Steam Ship Company may make per head on passengers carried.