A CHAMPIONS' CONTEST

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1393, 20 March 1912, Page 6

A CHAMPIONS' CONTEST

HOW POSTLE BEAT DONALDSON. GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTESTS. When tho third and last race in the contest between Jack Donaldson, sprint champion of the world, and Arthur I'ostlc, ox-Champion, at tho St. Patrick's Day sports on tho Domain on Saturday ended in a third win for Postle, tho greater 1)01'tion of the crowd of 15,000 people burst into thunderous applauso (says tho Auckland Herald ). lhousands surged across tho ground and surrounded tho two great sprinters. Postlo was immediately lilted shoulder-high and carried oft' tho ground, amidst groat enthusiasm'—such enthusiasm as is rarely seen at sports gatherings nowadays. It was a great finish to u groat contest—ono that will rank very high in tho history of New Zealand athletics. In winning tho threo races Postle achieved a success which was quite unexpected by tho public, but for which ho was prepared himself. The fact that I'ostlo is the fastest man in the world over 75yds. has been established so well that Donaldson admitted before the meeting that the chances were in favour of tho Queenslander, and tho public fully expected Postle to win' that race. But in respect to tho two longer distances the issuo was more open, although Donaldson was generally expected to win. The Victorian prefers the longer distances, for he finishes very strongly, and ho was confident that he would beat I'ostlo in these. On tho other hand, Postle has dono so well in his training, nnd ho felt so remarkably fit and vimful, that ho gavo himself a very good chance of .winning tho 150 yds. and a fair chance of carrying off tho 200vds. as well. 'J'hcro was also tho further factor that tho strained sinew which had alTeeted him before had not given him any trouble in his preparation tor this contest, and the grass track was not likely to affect it so much as tho harder tracks which Postlo has raced on elsewhere. ]n short, tho Queenslander, despite the fact that ho has raced for something like U yoars, fullv expected to show his very best form, and his expectations wero realised.

The Times. Although beaten, Donaldson was not disgraced, for ho showed remarkab'o sprinting power, and Postle only just defeated him. But on tho form the winner showed on Saturday, it would indeed be a taost remarkable sprinter who could beat Postlo. Proof of tho terrific speed attained by the winner is shown by tho HT'? —7 , " ssl?c ' for 75yds., 11 1-osec. for loOyds., and 19soc. for 200 yds. Tho times were taken by careful and experienced men, and tho track was rcmeasurcd after tho races, and found to bo absolutely correct, so there is no room to doubt the official times. Tho performances aro made all tho mora meritorious in that thoro was a fairly strong wind blowing almost up tho track against the runners, and the turf was a trifle heavy, as a result of tlio rain of tho preceding day. When tho two men c-amo out for their first race, tho 75 yards, they spent a littlo time moving up and down tho track, to make their limbs supple. Then they settled down into their starting holes', and when tho pistol cracked they rose together in a beautiful start. Donaldson was an inch or two ahead at tho first stride, but in the next few yards Postlo gathered up enormous speed, and at 10 yards he shot out at terrific pace. At 50 vards ho was quite 2 yards ahead of the "llluo Streak." Donaldson mado a great effort in the last 35 yards, but l'ostle was moving splendidly, and tho Queenslander won by a yard and a half. Tho four official watches agreed upon 7 l-ssoc., equal to Postle's own world's record, established at Northam, West Australia, in 1906. The 150 Yards Race.

Forty-fivo minutes later tho two sprinters camo out for their second race, and excitement ran high among tho crowd. Postlo had shown such marvellous power in tho 75 yards that' tho opinion that Donaldson would win the second event was lessening.' This time the men did not take so long before settling down for tho start. Mr. Uurbush got them away in another beautiful start, the men getting off the mai'k together. Again Postle showed that ho is tho quickest man in the world at gathering up speed, and at 20 yards he was several inches ahead of Donaldson. Postlo gradually increased his lead, until at SO yards he was about 2 yards ahead. Donaldson's great finishing powers then began to show, and at 130 yards he was almost level. Then there was a thrilling finish. For a moment it seemed as if Donaldson would just about win, but Postle literally hurled himself at the tape, and got the verdict by about a foot. At the tapo the feet ot' the two men were just about level, but Postlo's act of throwing his chest forward had enabled him to breast tho tape first. The time was given as II Of the four official watches, two gave the time as 14 l-ssec., one Usee., and tho other It 2-ssec., while an unofficial, but experienced timekeeper, recorded 11 l-ssec. Most of tho spectators believed that the time stands as a new world's record, but Donaldson is credited with having run 150 yards in Usee, at Jtimborley, South Africa, on January 21, 1911.

Tho Third Racs,

Fot his win in the 150 yards Postlo received a great ovation, but it was reserved until tho third race between the pair an hour later for the crowd to show its enthusiasm fully. AVlien Postlo and Donaldson camo out again tho crowd rushed the ground, and crowded on to the tapes so closely, despite the efforts of tho officials and the police, that the sprinters were rightly advised to retire until tho ground was, cleared. This, to a certain extent, had a good result, for, although thousands of people remained within the sports enclosure, they left tho 200 yards track—as in tho ISO yards, it was a straight courseclear. Tho sprinters then returned to the starting point, shook hands, and immediately took up their positions. For the third timo they started beautifully, both rising together. Oncc again l'ostlo shot into bis top pace in remarkably quick time, and at 10yds. ho was. a few inckes ahead. At EOy'ds. tho "Crimson Plash" again had a lead of a couple of yards. Donaldson reduced Postle's lead slightly in the next 50yds., but Postlo ivas in such great form that he held the Victorian well, and finished up a yard and a half ahead of the "Blue Streak." Tho official time was 19sec. Three watches agreed on this, the other made it 19 2-ssec., while tho unofficial vratch, previously -referred to, clocked 19sec. This timo is a new world's record. Postle's previous best timo for the distance wns 19 3-ssec., on a grass track, against B. Pi. Day, in Western Australia in 1907. As already stated, tho crowd was almost beside itself .with oxeilement at the result. Botli sprinters have made themselves very popular in Auckland, but while condolences were extended to Donaldson, tho hero worship of Hie crowd broke out in tumultuous enthusiasm around Postlo.