ROWING.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1150, 10 June 1911, Page 12

ROWING.

(By MEticcni.i THE ORDEAL BEFORE ARNST. July 29—World's Championship, Arnst v. Pearce. Training No Joke for the Big Man, On July 20, on tho famous championship course on the Parramatta, "Dick" Arnst will be called upon to defend his title of champion sculler of tho world against tho onslaught of Harry l'carce. This is the outcome of (he formal signing of articles last Wednesday, alter several vexatious delays, and somo exasperating, but justifiable, sparring for time on the champion's part. Arnst has apparently satistied himself that his recent trouble, gastritis, has left him fit to undergo tho strenuous training course that constitutes his preparation for his big matches. ' Training for such an event is naturally a strenuous business at any time, but, with Arnst, it is, on account of his bulk, an exceptionally hard and wearisome grind, lie lias to work nearly two stone of "too, too solid flesh" off 'his frame, and, to do it without impairing his strength or vigour, is a process which has to be carried out with great nicety of judgment. The mere reducing of the weight is not much in ilseli—it is the retention, or rather tho accumulation, of strength and dash at tho same timo that furnishes the dillicully in the proposition. And How are the Twain Shaping? In an article written just beforo "tlio signing on" "Rigger" of tho "Sydney Morning Herald" says: It is proposed to ask W. Beach to ■ act as referee, and, of course, tho championship conditions and rules will be strictly observed. I'earco has so far been doing ono row daily, on Middle Harbour, and will be content to keep it at that until ho takes up a. more' rigorous courso of training. 110 is- very well, and almost down to his racing weight of 13 stone. Arnst has fully tested himself by , rowing long distances twico daily, and is satisfied ho enters on tho present course of training in better health than for any previous match of similar importance. He considers ho is less distressed after a solid row than ho was when ho met l'carce before, and although ho has not attempted any fast work is of tho opinion that ho will have more speed than hitherto, on the first or any mile. Ho regrets that his brother John and his rowing companion and pacer, W. Fogwell, will not be with him this time. This is a more serious matter than at first sight appears, but the difficulty will be overcome. George Towns is building a boat for him, in all respects similar to those ho has previously supplied to tho champion. Arnst requires a full-bodied boat, full in the ends, ami of great buoyance, because of his weight (somo 131 stone), and tho pressure ho gets against his stretcher when putting in his powerful leg drive. He uses rather more spread of riggers than other scullers, owing to the length and solidity of his body. A man of his si™ and method of sculling must havo room. Tho Indispensable Backing. Arnst lias not yet gathered tho full amount of his stake, but expresses tho opinion with confidence that it will b« forthcoming. One of his best backers is away in England, and some otners are cool because he has agreed lo raco outside New Zealand. The difficulty is by no means insurmountable. Pearce lias his stake assured to him, and is, theretore, tree lrom all worry on this score. If satisfactory arrangements bo "made, tho Harbour Trust will be asked to sanction three steamers following tho race, this being the only source of revenue and it is well Known that the gate money is of the greatest assistance to professional rowing. No other courso in tho world is equal to the l'arramatta in this respect; indeed, no comparison can bo made, for it is generally believed that the aggregate of gate money on the Parramalta exceeds that of all other courses used for professional sculling during tho ' past thirty years. It is believed the two largest "gates" were over a thousand pounds each. In ono instance the prico lor tickets was XI 10s., .£3, and *£10 (lor ten reserved seats). That was •in tho Beacli-llanlaii days, and men fairly rushed the steamers at the prices charged. Those days may never conic again, or, if they do, it will bo when world-beaters represent the old land and tho new. That Genial Young Giant, Felton. A good deal of interest was taken hero in the Hagncy-Felton match, and tho news of the lattcr's victory was well received among rowing men. When on this side for the Foxton and Wanganui handicaps, the young giant mado himself very popular by his unassuming manner, while Hagney rather invited criticism by a noticeable absence of that modesty that 0110 looks for in an athlete—at least, until he has dono something. The result was not a surprise to those who had followed the men in their training. The following appeared in tho Sydney "Daily Telegraph" on the Wednesday preceding tho match: — At the outset of tho match it was generally considered that Hagney would have a comfortable win, an opinion which was arrived at as a consequence of the splendid performance put up by him in tho l'arramatta Hundred. lie has been rowing very consistently since, and lie himself, among others, thinks ho is in just as good form now as lie was then. Notwithstanding this, however, his chances now are not looked upou as being nearly as good as tliev we.ro then. This is accounted for by tho fact that Felton has mado what might be termed phenomenal progress in his training. Although only a vout.ii, practically speaking, he has the physique of n young giant, and will go to the starting-post on Saturday scaling something over 13st. in pcrfect condition. When he started training ho was in somewhat poor condition, but as time progressed and his weight commenced to grow less with constant hard work, his speed began to show out. Now that lie is in almost perfect condition, ho has surprised even Dick Arnst himself. He seems to have tremendous speed when breaking away from a start, and it is affirmed that ho can maintain a good pace throughout the whole course. His friends at present oven go so far as to say that ho will lead Ilagnov all the way. Felton has not yet rowed a match race. He shone out fairly brilliantly in New Zealand at the big handicaps there, and has done a good deal of sculling in handicap events in New South Wales. Apart from that, however, lio has not done any rowing that would warrant him being put in a class with Ilaglioy and Day, clc. What he has done on tho Parraiiialta, within tho last few weeks, has been an eye-opener, and at once marks him as a dark horse. Whether he has been reserving himself purposely for somo big event, or whether ho has not been able lo got support is not known, but what is known is that on his present form he should havo been out looking for matches long ago. It will interest a few to know that Hagney and Felton slartcd sculling about the same time. An effort was made, when both men could row pretty well, to bring them together then, but arrangements fell through, and they' drifted apart. Now. however, they will bo able to selUo all disputes on Saturdny. , The winner rowed at just over 13 stone, and Hagney at just over 12 stone. Fogwell—A Knight of the Joyous Venture. Last Saturday "Smiling Billy" Fogweil sailed for London, accompanied by ".Tack" Arnst, and financed by his backer, Mr. Seifert, of Foxton, through whose endeavours the present match has been made. Fogwell is matched to row Ernest Barry for .£2OO a-side, the championship of England and the' "Sportsman" Cup. Tho course will be from Putney Bridge to Mortlake, -1} miles; Mid the dato of tho race is September 11. so that the, young Australian will havo only six or seven weeks on tho course. It is enough if the weather proves favourable, but Fogwell will need to be at his best, as Barry is constant on the last half of the distance. The sum for expenses is but

.£.')(). and it is understood tlwt only n singlo-jonriipy ticket has tjpon (nfccn for bolh scullers. This is not entirely due to the small sum for ox-

penses, and it may be that neither sculler nor trainer is in u particular hurry lo return home. If I'ogwell proves successful ill his race all will bo bright; but defeat may mean discomfort. There is a cold welcomo in England for the defealed visitor with empty pockets, and Fogwell and Arnst aro on an adventurous voyage indeed. ,£SO is precious little to take two men and several sculling boats to England, and keep I hem there training for seven weeks—and they can't walk home eilher after the .CSO is gone, and, perchance, tho race lost. All of which goes to show that professional sculling, after all, is not the sordid "gategelling" business that is generally supposed. There are still some "sports" left, and, on their latest showing, the names of Iwo of them arc "Billy" I'ogwell and "Jack" Arnst.