SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 31 July 1912, Page 3

SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

ARNST V. BARRY.

BARRY WINS

BY A HUNDRED YARDS.

ARNST LEADS FOR TWO MILES.

The race between R. Arnst, world's champion sculler, and Ernest Barry, "champion of England, for the world's championship and £.500 a-side, was rowed on the Thames on Monday. The weather was rather boisterous, a succession of heavy showers falling, while a strong* squally breeze made the river rough, especially between Hammersmith and Barnes' Bridge. They got away, starting by mutual consent, at the first attempt, and Arnst, striking at 38 to Barry's 36, and pulling a powerful stroke, was soon clear of Barry. At the Boathouses, not far from the start, Arnst led by a length." Barry was pulling quietly, and was appar^ ently undisturbed by his opponent's lead. At Craven Stops, which were passed in 2m. 505.. Arnst was a length and a half ahead, and he passed the will in 4m. 58s. with the same lead Barry was pulling beautifully, while Arnst was apparently taking too much ouj>of himself, At Crab tree Barry made his first spurt, and driving his boat along grandly, almost diew level. On the reach past the three-mile post to Barnes' Bridge, Barry made another effort, and closed the gap. Barry shot Barnes 5 Bridge, half a mile from home, with a lead of three length, in 19m. 235, Arnst was then palpably tiring. He tried to - spurt, but could make no impression on Barry, and stopped dead beat at the Brewery, 100 yards from the winning post, the English champion winning by this distance in 23m Bs. After the finish Sir Geo. H. Eeid, Australia's High Commissioner, congratulated Barry on his magnificent victory. Barry, interviewed, stated that, finding that he held Arnst after a mile, he had no doubt as to his ability to win. Apparently the English climate did not suit the champion as well as did the Zambesi, where he beat Barry without an effort. The Englishman is a fine waterman, and that would stand to him in the rough witter in which the race was decided, Arnst was born for a sculler. Throughout his .career as a cyclist he was urged to go in for the acquatic sport, but he would not listen to the advice till he had fought his way to the top of the cycling world. Having succeeded in this department of sport, by winning the Sydney Thousand, he was at last prevailed upon to take up sculling. He put himself in the hands of Mr George Towns, an exchampion of the world, and after a short course of the oretical and practical instruction set out m a heavy boat to master the use of the sculls and the slide. This he did very quickly, and was soon tumbling out of a "best" best. When he had a fair idea of the art he entered for handicap races, and so quickly did he come along that he was put back in the handicaping almost, so to speak, before he knew where lie was. Altogether, he rowed seven handicap races, of which he won four, came second in one, fourth in another, and lolled out of'his boat in one. He then clinched a match with Webb to row for the championship of the world, but before that row came off he rowed and beat Harry Pearce on the Pnrramafcja River. He then went to New Zealand, and beat Webb for the championship on December 1.5, 1908, by ten lengths, in 19min. 53sec, On June 22, 1909, he met and defeated Wobb again on the Wanganui Eiver ; on April 4, 1910, he beat George Whelch at Akavoa (N.Z.); on August 28, i9lO, he beat 15n,rvy on the Zambesi River (South-Africa); and en July 29, 1911, ho beat Harry Pearce again. Thus he has rowed ' six. races altogether, five of which have be--n for the championship of the world, and has won them all. He has never yet been beaton in match races. He is 28 years and 8 months old. is 6ft (4 in tall, about lost 51 b (racing) weight; his neck measures I7iiu; chest, normal 4.3 in, expanded 49in.; biceps (normal) 14in., forearm, loin., wrist. 82.in, thighs 27iu, and' calves mm. Thus it will be seen that he has been endowed lavishly with all the necessary physical qualifications of a sculler. Besides these advantages his health has not been imparod by smoke o»r drink, as he is ~most obstemious in both connections.

Barry is not nearly such a big mon as Arnst. Ho is of sinewy build, slight, and as hard as nails, while his great reputation has beon achieved prinoii.-ii'ly through his stamina. He is noted for the strcn.gfh he possesses when the greater part of the course has been covered. With the exception of Arnst, he has beaten everybody to whom he has been opposed of lato'