THE AQUATIC CHAMPIONSHIP.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1284, 8 October 1886, Page 3

THE AQUATIC CHAMPIONSHIP.

GRANDEST RACE ON RECORD. “ Town and Country,” Sept. 25, ISSC.) London, Sept. 18, op.m. The race which took place to day on the Thames, between William Beach, of Sydney, the champion sculler of the world, and Jacob Gaudaur, the Canadian oarsman, resulted in ’the finest acquatic struggle which has ever been witnessed. Beach in his last race lowered the record for the championship coarse, and he has now brought the time measurement for tins distance to a phenomenal minimum. It is impossible to describe the excitement which was occasioned by this match This event was looked forward to as one which was to decide whether or not the “ Australian wonder” as Beach is now styled, should retain the distinction he has so far protected against the muscular assaults of the British ami American senders. Never hive such scenes been witnessed on the Thames as those caused by the acquatic contests which have taken piece during the present season ; and never has there been witnessed in the history of the acquatic world such a sight as that produced by this contest. Sporting London seemed to have gone mad, and the Thames was alive with excitement. The whole length of the championship course was fringed with row upon row of excited partisans. It wax a wonderful sigh’, and the combining circumstances stamp Beach as the victor of a race the particulars of which will be handed down to posterity. Beach has by his mar-, vellous powers and his indomitable pluck and tenacity won for himself a great name. This is the substance of what has appeared in the London sporting press. The race was phenommal not only from the fact of the extraordinarily fast time in which it was rowed, hut also from the fact of Beach having twice stopped during the race. It seemed as if the champion was dead beaten. Then as if electrified by the cheers of hia supporters, ho fell to his work again, and with the courage of a conqueror ho went in pursuit of his foe. This occurred twice. In the fust attempt Beach failed to put his enemy behind him ; but encouraged by the promptings of his coach, and the wonder-working calls of ‘Go on Beach,” from the boats which followed him ho pulled with the result that he completely wore down the Canadian,

Soon after the time appointed for the beginning ot the race the two senders made their appearance. Both men were in splendid trim. Beach who sat high in his boat, seemed the • much bigger man. His opponent, however. Seemed to be in grand form, and seemed as he took a few preliminary strokes, to row like clockwork.

Beach made no pretence to show form. He quietly pulled to his mooriug station on the Surrey side, and there awaited the completion of the final arrangements. Both men ’were received with loud applause, which seemed to be taken np by the almost countless masses along the river ; and as the first flush of excited demonstration died away at the starting point, faraway down the liver low subdued cheers could be heard by those on the press boat. The betting at the start was 5 to 1 on Beach ; but there was no great amount of money on the race. Beach was so ’ strong a favorite that only the staunchest supporters of Gandaur could be induced to pat down any money. The weather was gloriously fine. The sun shone with Australian brilliancy. and the surface of the Thame's was unruffled. The tide was moderate.

The start was by mutual consent. Beach began with a stroke of 33 to the minute, while Gandaur, who seemed to have made up his mind to row well within himself, put in 33 to the minute. Beach at once took the lead, and Gaudaur having found that he was being left behind quickened his stroke. This, however, had no effect upon Beach's powerful mode of- progression; for, still maintaining his measured stroke, ho forged al'eid of Gandaur. When the Star and Garter was reached. Beach was leading by nearly halt a length. Gaudaur then made a terrific spurt; and, in spite of the wonderful pulling of.Beach, the Australian could not arresst the progress of his opponent. Slowly but surely, Gaudaur brought Beach back, and at the Spapworks Creek'Gaudaur had reversed the order of things,'.and led Beach by a .third of a boat’s length. The excitement now grew intense ; and, to add to the growth of feeling, a slight foul occurrred. It seemed as if there would be a disaster, when Beach gave way a little. This gave Gaudaur the lead ; but the incident passed with nothing more than a collision of sculls. Cheer after cheer rose as the two men ■ continued their terrific struggle. Beach, having found that he was los ng his oppone t, made a grand spurt. Gaudaur answered ; but, notwithstanding his quickly struck and powerful strokes, he was not in it with Beach. Strange as it may seem to those who know the course, and did not see the race, it was, nevertheless a fact that from the Soapworks to Hammraersraith Bridge Beach had not only recovered the third of a length by which Gaudaur was leading him, but he -was actually leading the Canadian by three lengths. Beach shot under the Bridge in Soiin 58-iec. Gandaur’s time for the same distance was 9min,3sec. ■ A loud call was then made to Gaudaur to “show your form.” He did. It was wonderful. Beach could not hold him. Gaudaur plied his sculls with fine effect, and seemed to be running down the champion. Stroke by strike he gained upon Beach, and was just upon him. Then there came a great sensation. .When the scullers were opposite to Thornyoroft’a boathouse a wild cry was raised, “ Beach is done !” It seemed to be only too true. Be Vh was rolling, and having faltered, he came to a dead stop. It was now Gandaur’s opportunity. It was seized. In a few strokes Gaudaur was leading. Beach stopped for three . seconds. A long and exulting cheer went up. This seemed to give Beach a lease of new life, and he resumed his tasu; but it was only to falter again. His strokes had lost their power. No words can picture the effect produced by the turn of affairs. Enthusiasm had turned to consternation ; and one of the occupants of the press boat shouted out, “Another Uenforth episode !” However, Beach was still game, and he resumed his task. On reaching the bathing place beyond Chiswick. Beach, had got on even terras with Gaudaur. He seemed to be pulling with all his old force, when there came another sensation. Beach again faitere I and stopped. The excitement was t env'ndous. Call after call was made to Gaudaur and Beach.

The call upon Gaudaur was answered. He | rowetl grandly and went to the front. It looked as if the race was all over, when Beach’s “coach” yelled out “Now then. B ;ach ; now is your time; Gaudaur is done ■” Beach heard this ; and, encouraaged by the cheers of those on the boats which followed, and the roar of demlustration, he again went to work. The “coach’’had spoken truthfully—Gaudaur was done. E'ery stioke which Beach put in told ; and hj: was soon on level terms. The betting, which at the start was 5 to 1 on Beach, bad turned to 20 to 1 on Gau-' daur. Then it turned again to 10 to son B-.-ach. The Australian seemed to be endowed with res mrces of almost superhuman power ; for after faltering and stopping, he resumed with all the dash of a freshman. Ha went to the front, and won by four lengths in 22min 29sec. Beach has beaten all records to Chiswick Church. His time for that distance was IPmin 56sec. The race- was a tremendous struggle from start to finish. The win was very popular. Beach received an ovation the like of which has never fallen to the lot of any victorious sculler Both men were completely rowed out ; and Gaudaur was almost unable to move. Gaudaur, in an interview after the lace, declared that, in his opinion. Beach wis the best oarsman the world had ever seen. Beach says that when he stopped he was thoroughly exhausted.