THE SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3759, 5 March 1907, Page 3

THE SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

Towns Dofeats Tha Canadian. Doorlptlon of the Raoo. Sydney, March 2. The race between George Towns, of New South Wales, and Bdward Duman, of Canada, for the sculling championship of the world, was rowed to-day over a course 3 miles 320 yards in length, and was won by Towns. Not since Beach met Halan twenty years ago had a championship race been decided on the Nepean River. Like that historic struggle, the international character of to-day’s event added greatly to its interest, and like it, too, the result brought laurels to an Australian , sculler. Beach won the great race ot 1887 from Halan, und Towns to-day, after a hard fought struggle, demonstrated his right to retain the championship of the world.

Notwithstanding dull weather and occasional showers, large numbers of people journeyed by special trains from the city and inland towns to view the race. .. Towns won the toss, and chose the Penrith side of the. river. Owing to rain the start was delayed till 4.30. From a good start Towns went off at a strong pace, which quickly took him ahead of Durnan, the Canadian’s stroke appearing short. By the time the half-mile mark was reached, Towns had a length and a half advantage, and at the mile, reached in 6min. 19 sqc. he was leading by two and a half lengths. The Australian was rowing easily, with the longer stroke, and appeared to greater advantage than Durnan.

Towns had increased the gap to four, lengths at a mile and a half. The Canadian began to close up a little passing the two mile post, three lengths in the rear. Town’s time to this point ’was istnin. 45sec. These positions were maintained for another half mile. Then Durnan, rowing in earnest began to overtake the champion, and for the last half mile there was a “ ding-dong go, ’ ’ great excitement prevailing. Durnan, however, found the task too great, and tired towards the finish.

Towns passed the post with an advantage of four, lengths in 22mm. 27sec.

Towns, who started favourite, received an ovation, and Durnan Was greatly cheered, for his game struggle. No sculler could have tried harder than Durnan. He showed that he had made wonderful preparations, but he succumbed to a cleverer and, fester scculler—-to an oarsman whom competent judges declare to be the best man in the world, All the “crack ’’ oarsmen tipped Towns when they saw the Canadian afloat, but Durnan’s friends struck to him in the belief that he was going to effect a huge surprise. Ten thousand people witnessed the race, thought as a spectacle it fell fer short of the great contests on the Paramatta course. There were so few boats available that no difficulty was experienced in keeping the course clear. Durnan rowed the faster stroke, but Town’s machine-like movements were' more efficacious.

At one time, shortly after the start, Durnan led Towns by half a length, but only for a hundred yards. Interviewed after the contest Towns said: ‘ “The race was as hard as I want. It was a good race till within three-quarters ot a mile from home, then I was satisfied I could win.”

Durnan looked quite ‘ ‘ pumped ’ ’ at the finish. He says it was a hard race for him, but a fair one. He declares his racing days are finished—-that he will never row again. Duruan states that he backed himself heavily. The trip cost him