WEBB V. ARNST.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2374, 15 December 1908, Page 5

WEBB V. ARNST.

THE WORLDS SCULLING CHAM-

PIONSH IP.

(TO-DAY’S RACE

It Avas a memorable d>ay in the-an-nals of Ncav Zealand sporting history when Wililam Webb, of Wanganui. wrested from Charles Toaviis, of Sydney, the proud title of sculling champion of the world, and when subsequently lie defeated two oarsmen of the calibre of Pearce and Tressider. Tho supporters of the Wanganui ,man naturally Avere jubilant, and for days past they have, with pardonable pride, been announcing their confidence in tho champion. On the other hand, Arnst, also a Ncav Zealader, is remembered by many for his fine performances on the cycling track before ho entered the sculling arena. Of his pluck and endurance there can be no question, and the same remark also applies to Webb. Whether, howCA’er, the challenger is as good an oarsman as the champion Avill be 'knoAvn Avitbin a loav hours, hut. in any case, there can be no doubt that the race Avill be one worth witnessing, ‘and that, whatever the result, the deteated sculler will not bo disgraced. The race will bo commenced at four o’clock sharp, at which hour there Avill he dead Avater, and the start Avillp'as in former races, be by mutual consent. Webb is Avell knoAvn to Gisborne oarsman, he haA-ing given an exhibition on the Waimata rives toAyards the close of last season. A loav enthusiasts haA’e gone to Wanganui to see the race, and the result avill be awaited with keen anticipation.

[Piiess Association.] WANGANUI, Dec. 14. There is little or nothing fresh to report AA'ith regard to the sculling ra ce to-morrOAA r . The AA-eather is uoav gloriously fine, and a rising glass promises Avell for to-morrow. CrOAA r ds of visitors are arriving from all parts of the Dominion, and 1 the interest is hourly groAving. Both men are in the pink of condition, and a great struggle is expected', though the betting is in favor of the present champion. Webb and Arnst are both taking things easy to-day in view of the contest to-morroAV, * and their boats are being polished and the gear carefully overhauled. Later. Neither Webb nor Arnst was on A’ioAA r on the river to-day. both contenting themseh'es AA’ith light exercises on land. They are in fine condition, and the respective parties are confident of success. It is still the very general opinion that Webb will win, though it is expected that Arnst Avill give him a good race. A large number of visitors are in town. CHRISTCHURCH, Dee. 14. The fotlknving telegram AA-as sent to Arnst at Wanganui this morning: “The members of the Christchurch Cyctng and Motor Club unite In Avishing you every success in to-morroAv’s great race. We feel perfectly satisfied that the best traditions of your old club are in worthy hands. Their thoughts and best Avishes will accompany you, and by none will your success be hailed AA-ith greater delight.”

PROSPECTS DISCUSSED. AN INTERESTING PROBLEM. The Wanganui correspondent of the Auckland “Star” Avired on Saturday as follows: The date of the great boat race Webb v. Arnst is almost upon us. and little else is talked about in Wanganui. Wherever one goes arc to he seen little knots of men discussing the prospects of the contest, and “Who do you think Avfil win?” is the question asked on all sides. A feAA- days ago there appeared to be a strange lack of interest in the forthcoming struggle compared to Avhat was manifested prior to the Stanbury and Tresidder races. Some, said the novelty of the thing had worn off, others declared that because both Arnst and Webb Avere New Zealanders, tho same amount of interest would not be shoAvn bv the public as if the contest Avere betAvcen Webb and an Australian. HoAveA’er, a. change has come over the scene, and the boat race fever has spread rapidly. It is not necessary to ask avlio is favorite, as o\"er 00 per cent, of those avlio Avcar badges or colors display the light blue. Here and there may be seen an Arnst supporter, but they are few and far betAveen. Strange as it may seem in the face of the high opinions expressed by Sydney critics as to Arnst being such a pheuomonally good sculler, Wanganui people have more confidence in Webb on this occasion than they shoived prior to the Tresidder race. The general opinion amongst the local rowing authorities •after watching Arnst at work is that lie Avill not put up such a great race as Tresidder did, but your correspondent is one of a Rnv Avho thinks otherwise, and looks fonvard to seeing a desperate race on Tuesday, over part, if not the AA'liole of the course.

During the last few days a number of Australians have arrived here. They came .prepared to hack Arnst on what they had seen him dot oil the other side, believing he was in a class bv himself owing to his weight -and strength. But, after seeing Webb sculling, and noting in what excellent condition he is, they ac.mit that the result is a tong way from being the foregone conclusion, w Inch so many Australians regard it for the excvclist; in fact, they declare they want good odds before investing tlieir jnoney on. the big fellow. It is significant, though, that several of the best judges in Sydney, men who saw Webb defeat Towns, and who formed very high opinions of the present champion, were so impressed by the easy style in which Arnst heat Pearce, more particularly by the fact, that lie led the latter, admittedly the fastest nailer, in Australia, practically all the way, that they unhesitatingly declared that he was sure to beat Webb. , .. The race is therefore puzzling, for excellent judges agree to differ. Whether Webb, who is just three years older than the challenger, and unquestionably more scientific, has sufficient strength and staying power to win, and whether Arnst, when alongside a great sculler 'for the first tune in his life, tyill .equal fall short of what his friends expect of him, will be settled on Tuesday, but, in the meantime, the problem, although perplexing, is quite interesting. The two

men chiefly concerned are perfectly happy and thoroughly fit and wellThere is a marked difference in. the training methods of the two men. Webb’s trainer., Denny Barnett, is a great believer ini the value of .breathing exercises and physical culture, coupled with a moderate amount of boxing, ihill-climbing, and, of course, rowing. His aim has ever been to put weight on to his man, and' it is remarkable how AVebb has built up m his training, .until now he is heavier than ever —previously he scaled 11.0. Has muscular development is wonderful, and lie looks to bo a perfectly trained man, yet not in the least muscle-bound. He is bigger round the chest and forearms by a good deal than he was six months ago, and while he has been building up, Arnst has been training down, ard has reduced himself from well over fourteen stone to thirteen stone. He has adopted the cul school methods, Webb the new. It certainly seems that training up must be more natural than reducing, and Webb unquestionably appears to have the advantage in condition. At the same time, Arnst is probably fitter than he has ever been, and he is a magnificent specimen of the athlete. His expansive chest, and his remarkable abdominal muscles, _ which stand out in ridges, stamp him as a man who will see out the race to the bitter end. From the time that Arnst first began to show signs of getting into form here he began to improve m style, and his progress was so rapid that many of Webb’s supporters were really getting a bit anxious. Then the challenger went up the river into camp, and few saw inini for a fort/inglrb or so, during which time he must have put in a lot of very hard work. Then the enthusiasts started going up the river again, and, after seeing Arnst at work, formed the opinion that he had not made any further improvement in his rowing. He has kept haTd at work, however, and the last few days he seems to have come on again, several hard spins in the early part of this week having freshened him up.