AQUATICS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1496, 2 December 1878, Page 3

AQUATICS.

C.R.O. SCULLING- RACES. The senior and junior handicap sculling races for challenge cups presented to the Canterbury Rowing Club by Messrs R. J. S. Harman and Sandstein, came off on the Avon on Saturday afternoon, the course being from Butterfield’s to the corner below Cowlishaw’s, a distance of one mile. Though the weather was not favourable for sculling, witli one exception the various heats were rowed, off very successfully, and a good deal of keen interest was manifested in the result of each race. Owing to the narrow and winding nature of the river, and the difficulty experienced on former occasions in keeping the sculling boats from fouling when racing abreast, the competitors on Saturday were started from posts placed fifty yards apart, and had to finish from flags fixed at a like distance from each other. Mr Harman’s prize, a silver cup, was again won by J. R. Lanauze, and as this makes the second year it has gone into his possession it now becomes his absolute property. The junior race for Mr Sandstein’s cup was also won by the same competitor as last year (J. Grierson), but owing to an unfortunate foul it is left for the committee to decide whether the heat shall be rowed over again or not. The following are the particulars of the various heats :

SENIOB SCULLING RACE. First Heat. Exc —J. R. Lanauze (scratch) ... 1 Wye—L. M. Ollivier (scratch) ... 2 At the given signal Lanauze gripped the water, and went away in fine form and at a very hot pace. Ollivier, however, unfortunately missed his stroke, and the button of the oar slipped from the outrigger. In an increditably short time he got it right, and started rowing in splendid style. His boat shot through the water at a tremendous pace, and although Lanauze was rowing in his well known effective form, and moving his little craft along at express speed, Ollivier’s powerful sweeping stroke began to tell, and it looked as though he would finish the race abreast of his opponent. The pace however was a killing one, and after rounding Pratt’s corner Ollivier began to show signs of fatigue, whilst Lanauze had plenty of strength loft for a final spurt. Coming up the straight both men pulled their hardest, and stuck to their work well, Lanauze reaching his winning post first, with a second to spare. Second Heat. Exe—Allison (2 sees) ... ... 1 Wyc—Lockhar t (scratch) ... ... 2 This race, though a tolerably close one, was not particularly exciting. Both men started fairly, but quickly experienced a difficulty in keeping clear of the weeds and banks, Allison reaching bis winning post first, with a couple of lengths to spare. Final Heat. Wye—J. R. Lanauze (scratch) ... 1 Exe—Allison (12 secs.) 2

Allison started fairly, and got ■well away, but twelve seconds afterwards Lanauzo gave chase, and quickly began to overhaul the leading boat. Just before reaching Pratt’s ho was abreast of hia opponent. On coming into the straight the position of the boats was changed, and with an easy swinging stroke Lanauzo led the way home, winning easily with a lot to spare. The contrast between the two scullers was very marked, the one combining strength and endurance with an excellent stylo of rowing, and the other looking as though he were a stranger to both boat and river.

JUNIOR sculling race. First Heat. Wye—J. Grierson (scratch) 1 Exc—Boulton (scratch) 2 Both boats got well away from the start. Boulton kept and slightly increased his distance to the Tannery. Grierson, however, put on a fine spurt and caught up and passed Boulton at Pratt’s, winning the heat as he liked. Second Heat. Exe—C. Mann (scratch) ... ... 1 Wye—A. L. Smith (scratch) ... 2 Mann was first to get under way, but Smith being the leading boat had a slight advantage, and quickly started, pulling very gamely to make up for lost time. After the first 100 yards Mann began to draw up, and on coming into the straight he was well within his distance. This advantage he kept, to the finish, and won a well pulled heat with several lengths to spare. For so young a sculler Mann pulls in very good form, and ho deserves great p raise for his good steering, and the plucky manner in wh(ch hs rowed throughout the race. Final Fed. Exe—J. Grierson (scratch)... ... 1 Wye—C. Mann (12 sees) 2 From the excellent manner in which Mann won his first heat, and the advantage ho had over Grierson with twelve seconds start, it

was OiMiJi' s hat- (ho race would be a very ckte o i e. Maun got away well, and kept his bout, going at .1 go -d pace, but soon after starting Grierson began to werhaul his opponent, Ou reaching Pratt’s corner the boats were abreast. Here they fouled, and Grierson’s over anxiety to take the lead got him into further trouble on coming into the straight. He was cautioned by the judge, but again foaled and then passed his opponent, being first at his post with lots to spare. Owing to the fouls it was thought best to bring the matter before the committee, and let them decide whether the heat shall be r.n- 'd over again. In all probability the dec si n will bo given in Grierson’s favor, ns before ‘ho first foul had the race well in hand with fifty yards to spare.