ROWING.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1889, 25 October 1913, Page 12

ROWING.

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PARRAMATTA RAOE TO-DAY. To-day—Australian Championship, Paddon v. Arnst, Parramattn. "A Battle of Clants." This afternoon Sydney will see ono more raco for the Australian sculling championship on the famous Parramatta course. One frequently hears the term, "A battlo of giants" applied to a, contest of this nature, but in thia case the expression is literally correct. Physically, each of tho scullers engaged, James Paddon, tho title holder, and "Dick" Arnst, his challenger, is "outsize" among men, each being well over 6 feet in height, and thirteen stone in racing weight. Arnst Will Go Out Favourite. In this respect there is nothing between them, so the issue will resolve itself into a contest of skill and endurance. _ The advantago of racing experience is with the challenger, and fit and well, Arnst should win, but therein lies thorub. Can he, after liis long spell of idleness and general softoning up through tie accumulation of that adipose tissue that comes so easily to him, strike proper form again? Apparently ho thinks so to judge from his published statements regarding his condition; but then he thought so previous to his race with Barry, and'how woefully mistaken was he on that occasion P Now, as on that occasion, he has made a startling reduction in his weight. When he started training ho scaled ldst. 71b., and sit latest advices was down to within 81b. of his racing weight—about 18st. 71b.

Arnst will go to tho post a big favour* ito. Indeed, a section of the Australian public is asking why Paddon has been matched with so formidable an opponent so early in his career. Tho general idea ia that ho has set himself a task that is beyond his powers. But of oourse he had no option. By tho terms under which he holds his title ho had either to accept Arnst's or forfeit his championship, and to liis credit, bo it said, he elected to row without a murmur. Thus, if tonight Paddon is no longer champion of Australja, he will still have retained his reputation as a Bportsrnan, and should tho Fates bo kind to him and the title still bo in his holding, then ho will bo recognised as a right and proper representative of Australia to bo matched against Ernest Barry for the big championship.

Latest News on Tholr Form. _ In dealing with tho form and condition of the contestants the Sydney "Daily Telegraph" expert says;— "Arnst is down to his rowing weight, and as lie lws trained so often Tie knows this indicates that he is already fit to stand the strain of a gruelling race. Ho has been- well in healtli throughout his training, and favourable weather has made it comparatively easy for him to steadily improve his condition. He has tho advantago of having tho advice of Kemp, who in his day was as skillul a sculler as we have over seen, and who still has expert knowledge as to how a champion should obtain full value for expenditure of strength. Felton _is a fast rower and cheery comso that in this respect also Arnst is well placed—far bettor than V' JK-ii _ ho was on the Thames preparing for his match with Barry. "Paddon has also trained so successfully that his weight causes his friends 110 worry. He is not the kind of man to froi himself into a nervous state, and even if he were, Harry Floyd can easily and surely bring along the remedy. Gardyne and Floyd are a good double. It is safe to say that tlie former is down to his weight, as massaging tho man under bis care is solid toil, for it must not be forgotten that there is a lot of 'Jim' Paddon. Charlie Towns, it is- also reported, has no time to look at the scenery while trying to stop in front of tho man with tie terrific leg drive. He is too busy to even care if the river has banks. It will thus bo seen that thero is nothing wrong in Paddon's camp. Wo have seen great scullers who would worry ovor trifles, causing loss of sleep and appetite, but these really serious matters are practically unknown to both Paddon, the novice, and Arnst, the well-seasoned sculler. Hanlan, Tom Sullivan, and several others would work themselves up so much as to become a nuisance to all around them."

Barry V/IJI Not Rotlro. While on the subject of champions tho following from an English sporting authority will bo of interest as disposing of a somewhat vexed question:— Ernest Barry, in reply to a question which has of late been frequently put to him with regard its nny challenges that may have been sent to him to row onco more for tho world's championship, Bays that he has no challenge before him, despite all rumours; .nor has ho tho slightest id«a of retiring from rowing, as some Australian papers persist in alsserting. He adds that he had read in one of those papers that "Dick" Arnst, fit and well, could always beat him, but ho had received no challenge from Arnst or nnj'one else. Ho would be only too ready to accept any challenge that came forward accompanied by a deposit, as required by the rules. What move is oontomplated by those who talk and write about his retirement ho does not know, for bo has given them no gronnds for thinking such to be the case. Of course, any challenger would have to row tho race on the Thames, whero ■ ho won the championship. Sinco this was written tho cablegram lias informed us that Arnst has sent in a challenge and lodged £25 in earnest thereof.

Scotched, But Far From Dead. The amateur status question came up n<?nin at last Saturday's meeting of the N.Z.A.R.A., and onco again the suggested alterations in tlio definition woro turned The "Reform party," however, are in 110 way disheartened at tlio re-verso, as it was generally rccognised that tho time is yet early in tlio day for the acceptanoo of tho proposed new code by tho affiliated centres' Tlio matter was brought forward moro to keep it in the forefront of aquatic polices than with any hope of carrying tho nmendments. Those in charge of the refiTrm measures are still confident that it is only a matter of timo before their views bo accepted and the sooner pis time comes round tho better will it bo for tho sport of rowing in the Dominion.