SCULLING

Hokitika Guardian, 4 January 1929, Page 2

SCULLING

NEW ZEALAND FAILS.. NOT AT HOME IN ROUGH WATER. SYDNEY, December 27. The presence of the amateur sculling champion of New Zealand added interest to the New South Wales Rowing Association’s annual regatta held on the historic course on the Parramatta river last Saturday, but those who bait heard such encouraging reports of the prowess of A. K. Jackson were doomed to disappointment. He did not row in tlm least like a champion, and some experts have been led to say that if Jackson is the best sculler New Zealand can produce the sport of rowing must bo at a very low ebb in the Dominion. Such a sweeping statement is not justified, for it is clear that the conditions for last Saturday’s race were all against the visitor. Certainly he is capable of much better things. Of course, in H. R. Pearce, holder of the New South Wales title and Australian and Olympic champion, he had a formidable opponent. There is no sculler in the Commonwealth, and probably no amateur in the world, capable of extending him, and it was hoped that Jackson would make him do his best. Pearce had announced that Saturday's race would be bis last as an amateur. No sculler, lie said, could live on the fame achieved as an amateur, and lie complained that since lie returned from the Olympic Games nobody had come forward with an ofler to provide him with a position ; therefore he had no alternative hut to desert the amateurs and become a prolessionnl. For that reason his many supporters were anxious to see what lie would do against a really first-class man such as they bad been led to believe Jackson was.

Pearce won the race with comparative ease, and Jackson was fourth in a lield of five. Pearce Have a wonderful display, going through‘the rough water splendidly, steering an excellent course, and, although not pressed, registering good time in the prevailing conditions. Jackson, as already indicated, was very disappointing. The water was rough and choppy, as there was a stiff breeze blowing, and Jackson proved beyond doubt that he was not at home in such circumstances. If the conditions were against him that was not his only misfortune. for on Friday, the day before the race, he broke a scull. This necessitated him using a new pair, winch was not wholly suitable. It was apparent when half the distance had been traversed that his arms were tiling. This was particularly noticeable wher he reached the calm water not far from the finishing post. There he made a strong efio'-t to make up lost ground.

•■'Ugh his boat moved better ten poraril.v he could not maintain the effort long enough to enable him to overhaul the leaders. Pearce was rowing at his ease, and won by twenty lengths.