SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 443, 15 December 1908, Page 2

SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

To-Day’s Raoe.

1 By Our Special.] Wanganui is crowded with visitors from all parts ot the Dominion, ,to witness the world’s sculling championship between William Webb, the present champion, and Richard Arnst, of cycling tame, challenger. The trains from north and south are crowded with passengers, and the streets are lined with visitors. Accommodation at hotels and boarding houses is,taxed to the utmost, in fact, the rooms at the leading hotels were booked by intending visitors months ago. The shops appear to be doing brisk business. Mementos of the race in the form of post cards displaying photos of the champion and challenger, the championship course Wanganui river scenes, etc., are selling like hot cakes. Webb’s colours are displayed in shop windows. Webb is the favourite. A number ot the visitors fancy Arnst, but local residents pin their faith to “ Weary. Willie.”

Webb is just the same quiet, unassuming fellow as of yore—-no brag. When asked how he thought he would get on he replied quietly, ‘‘l will do my best.” He is making no fuss of what he can do —neither are his friends. It is Webb’s style of doing things quietly, and he has earned many admirers by his quiet unassuming manner.

It is noticeable that Arnst has become a little more modest of late. His friends and backers are convinced that he can ping his way to victory by reason of his great strength and staying power. In my humble opinion, although I do not desire to underate the challenger, I don’t think he has a chance of winning. He will no doubt push the champion from the star*, and maintain his speed by sheer strength and lung capacity, but Willie has the science and ' a cool head, backed up by everything, physically that a first-rate sculler should possess. One thing has stood Webb in favour up to date, in his races, and that is the cultivation of lung power as. well as muscle- He pays just as much attention to this department of his preparation as he does to the art of sculling correctly, and when the pinch comes he has the wind to see him through. My tip is, barring accidents, that he will win with at least two lengths to spare. [The result of the race will be posted outside the Herald Office directly it is received from our special.]