SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE WORLD.

Kumara Times, Issue 2668, 9 April 1885, Page 2

SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE WORLD.

[Per s.s. Tarawera, at the Bluff.] Sydney, Match 31. Haitian for the past week has been the favorite, but Beach has been well supported, and on Saturday was backed at even money. The arrangements for the race were somewhat extraordinary, but allowable on account of the fact that probably it would be the last champion race rowed here for a long time, as Hanlan intended to depart for America immediately the race was over. Only one steamer was allowed to follow the race. As the competitors passed alongside the steamer, Hanlan appeared as fit as possible, but everyone noticed he wore an anxious look. Beach looked very self-confident, and smiled pleasantly. The tide had been at flood two hours, so it was against the scullers. Beach won the toss, and elected to row on the south side, though that gave little or no advantage. Both soon got away by mutual consent, Hanlan having slightly the best of the start. Beach quickly responded, rowing about thirty-six to the minute. Before 100 yards were covered Beach took the lead, but Hanlan who was expected to make an attempt to get the lead failed to do so, as he rowed in a faint-hearted way. As this fact became evident there was a loud shout “Hanlan’s gone!” It was seen that Beach was adopting Hanlan’s old tactics of forcing the pace at the start; but he was to have it all his own way, for Hanlan did not row as was his wont, and splashed a good deal now and then. From thence on to the finish the race was merely a procession, in in which no incident of note occured. Hanlan occasionally looked round to see how far his antagonist was ahead, and sometimes tried to spurt a little, but wat not in trim, and was evidently rowed out thoroughly. At Putney Beach led by four lengths, at Gladesville by six lengths, winning the race by nearly ten lengths. The time was 22 min, 21|sec. As Beach pulled down the coarse the cheering was tremendous, and the noise quite deafening. The excitement in Sydney lant night was intense. Beach appeared at the window of Punch’s Hotel, and addressed the crowd. He said he would never row for the championship except on the Paramatta course. The most feasible theory about Hanlan’s defeat is over training and the severe hot weather experienced. Beach weighed 12st 11b, Hanlan 10 at 121 b.