The Champion Sculling Race

Feilding Star, Volume IX, Issue 119, 8 May 1888, Page 3

The Champion Sculling Race

VICTORY FOR KEMP. By Electric Telegraph.— Copyright. LPSB UNITED PEESB ASSOCIATION.] Sydney, May 6. The sculling race between Hanlan and Kemp for the Championship of the world and £500 aside was rowed on the Paramatta this afternoon. There was very little wagering on the race ; 22 to 2 (?) was freely offered on Kemp, but Hanlan's admirers were loth to back at the price. A commission of £5000 was invested on Hanlan. An immense crowd occupied all points of vantage along the river. The weather was fine but owing to a S. W. breeze the water was rather lumpy, but the breeze favoured the oarsmen. Both Kemp and Hanlau were loudly cheered as they sculled out to the starting point. The men got away together as the word " go" was given hut the first two lengths Kemp got a lead of half a length. Hanlan, however, soon got on lerel terms with him, and both men settled down to a desperate race. At this time Hanlan was pulling 37 strokes to the minute, while Kemp, if anything, was a trifle faster. Up to Putney the race was most interesting, first one and then the other having a slight advantage, but here afoul occurred between them and Hanlan having the advantage of it, shot ahead and rapidly placed four lengths between himself and the Australian. At this point the race looked a moral for the Canadian, but Kemp made a most determined effort to retrieve the lost ground, and it was not long before only half a length separated the two boats. Hanlan spurted time after time and endeavoured to wear Kemp down, but the champion held his own, and notwithstanding that he lost quite a length owing to bad steering, was soon on level terms with Hanlan. The latter now showed signs of distress, and up to this time the race had been the most interesting and exciting ever rowed on the Paramatta. The excitement was intense, and as the boats approached Gladesviile, Hanlan attempted to close on Kemp, but the latter was too far ahead. Passing the boat sheds, Hanlan was hopelessly in the rear, and Kemp, apparently without any effort, sculled away from him and won very easily. Time, 2min 26 Jsec. The race is said to be one of the finest ever rowed on the Para* matta river. Hanlan entered a protest against Kemp on the ground of haying fouled, but subsequently he withdrew it.