SCULLING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 443, 17 December 1908, Page 3

SCULLING.

Arnst Defeats the

Champion.

Won all the Way.

The sculling race for the championship of the world took place on the Wanganui river on Tuesday last, and was witnessed by several thousands of people. Although the race did not start till shortly after 4 p m., a procession of people started at about 9 a.m., for the scene on horseback, in vehicles of every description, including, bicycles and motor cars, etc. They secured the best vantage spots along the bank. Women folk were decked out in summer costumes. The scene along the course presented the appearance of a huge picnic. Boats of all descriptions, packed with enthusiasts, proceeded up the river and the sight was one long to be remembered and we'venture to say will not again be, witnessed in Wanganui tor many years to come. At about 6 a.m. on Tuesday morning the editor of this journal had the good fortune, through the courtesy of Mr Tuck, Webb’s backer, to visit the champion’s camp. On board the launch were Messrs James and John Webb (brothers of the champion), Coombes (editor of the Sydney Referee), Hamber (editor Weekly Press), Tuck, W. Young, Pollock, C. Hollis (Lyttelton), S. Massena (Foxton), and Corbey (Wanganui Herald). It was an ideal run, hardly a ripple on the water. The boat slowed down on approaching Arnst’s camp, situated a short distance from the finishing post. Floyd, Arnst’s trainer, was then astir as was the challenger, and hearty greetings were exchanged as the boat glided slowly by. Webb’s camp, situated about half a mile from the starting point, was reached and a landing effected. The camp was snugly situated in a picturesque gully. One of the assistants was observed carefully polishing the champion’s sculls. Coming down the hill towards us was a short, thick set athletic looking young fellow with a pleasant face, clad only in a pair of trunks. His muscular body was as brown as a berry. This.:was Barnett, Webb’s trainer. Webb, quiet, unassuming emerged from his tent and greeted the party with a hearty hand shake. Although only 30 years of age, he lefoks nearer 40. Coombes had a chat with him, as did his backer. Several snap-shots were taken and a cheery good-bye was said and the party departed. Th'e champion j was strong favourite, but it was known to a select few that he had not been able to repeat his previous trial time spins during the preparation for this race. He had been handicapped with : an attack of pleurisy, and then one arm was weak and he feared that he could not place too much reliance on this member when the trial should come. This fact, at his request, was not to be mentioned either before or after the race, but it has leaked out. The champion had to be carefully nursed, not trained. The challenger, on the other hand, had to undergo a severe course of training, and his excellent physique, backed; up by his enthusiasm and ' Vself - confidence, stood him in good stead. In a trial he covered the course in 19.20. Alter this great performance, he knew Webb |fould have to do something wonderful to get rid of him 4

The race needs little description. The coin was'Wssed, and Webb won. He chose th2 inside course on the left hand side of the river, looking down stream. ‘ ‘ Are you right?” “ Yes;” “Go!” Both men started away at about 34 strokes to the ipinute, but soon > eased down intofhe twenties. At the half-mile, Ajnst had gained a clear length, they were not registering indie than twentyseven to -the'*| minute. There seemed to be mtihh more force and a finer swing is the challenger’s strokes than Weob seemed able to exert, latter was rowing as? lishly & could be wished. At tne mile, completed in smm. 43sec., Arnsf Wsb over two lengths ahead, and by- the frequent turning of his head ofie judged that Webb was getting a little anxious. His boat rocked, -a , little, and twice more he looted around to see what had' became of Arnst. At

> . iy z miles Arnst had increased his a lead to hearlf four lengths, by ff which time he had settled down into . a long, steady; swinging stroke, L ; ; which went about 21 to the minute. 'f-J Just before "he two-mile mark was reached Webb brisked up to ; about 26 to tie minute, but there \ was nothing in the effort to give ■ his backers hops, as Arnst shoved £ his boat farther and further ahead. | - His lead at the i. five .lengths. Not far beyond the two - mile ■[.tally bends , steering a ng well in r, led by a ie straight, a sight, he little wove Quite to ople, Webb ;ns of diswing Arnst course on he crossed the rightilong withan attempt eering was

world. Webb crossed the line some 12 or 15 seconds later. Mr T. D. Cummins, who judged the race, says there were only six lengths between the boats, but says it was difficult to judge, because Arnst was so far out, and Webb was quite close in. Throughout the race light rain fell, but there was no wind. The course, three miles and a quarter full, was covered in 19min. 52sec,, 36sec. faster than the time put up by Webb when he beat Tresidder in February last. The first mile was covered in smm. 43sec., the second in smm. 54sec., and the last mile and a quarter in Srain. xosec.

Mr Cecil Wray was referee, Mr T. D. Cummins judge, and Messrs J. G. Swan, W. Draffiu, T. D, Gaffney, and W. Wallen were timekeepers.

THE MEN INTERVIEWED. After seeing ...o the housing of his boat and getting away from his many admirers, Arnst retired to his tent for a rub-down and refreshment.

“Well,” he said in reply to a question, “I don’t know that there is anything much to say about it. I had a jolly hard race over the first mile, and kept moving. I was ahead at the mile post.” “Did you have a good passage?” was asked by a by-stander. “Ob, yes, I had a good run, though there was a lot of driftwood about, and once I thought my boat was sinking. I went right over one piece. I think I deserve my win ; I have worked hard enough for it.”

“What did Webb have to say to you ?” was asked next. “Billy Webb is a good sort,” was his reply, “He said: Good luck. You’ll win plenty more races, but that’s the last go you’ll have at me.’ ”

Reverting to the race, Arnst said : “ I went over at the mile and washed him. I thought the world’s sculling championship was in the balance, and it was all in the game.” “I want you to say,” he continued, “ how indebted I am to my trainers and assistants—Fogwell, Nelson and Floyd—and put in a special word for the cook.

Asked about his future intentions. Arnst said he would row wherever the most money was available.' He was rowing to make money, and would go wherever it promised best. Webb, interviewed on arrival at the boatshed at Aramoho, was by no means downcast over the event, and though he did not know the time taken he considered the race a fast one. He thought Arnst had won rather easily, and he did not appear to have extended himself much.

“ Although not pumped at the finish, I had put in the best I was capable of,” said Webb, “ and I am satisfied Arnst was too fast for me. He deserves to win after the pace he got on. He got quick off the mark, and was half a length ahead in the first six strokes. That, however, did not bother me, as I have never won a race from the jump.” Paying Over the Stakes. Wanganui, December 16. The ceremony of paying over the stakes in connection with the world’s sculling championship took place this evening, when a largely attended smoke concert was held. Mr R. Coombes, editor of the Sydney Referee occupied the chair. Arnst and Webb had great receptions. The proceedings were of a very enthusiastic nature. A number of visiting pressmen and others expressed the opinion that the Wanganui River was unsurpassed in New Zealand as the scene of a championship race, Arnst and Mr Parker, his chief supporter, said that when the next race was rowed claims of Wanganui River would receive consideration. Webb, in responding to the toast of his health, acknowledged that he was fairly beaten, and wished Arnst a long tenure of the position he now held. Mr Tuck, who was Webb’s sole backer, said he was as proud as ever of his man, and would be ready with the necessary money should Webb want to have another ” go.” Proposed Presentation to Arnst. Christchurch, December 16. Mr E Nordon writes to the papers suggesting that a subscription be raised for the purpose of making Arnst a presentation from the citizens of Christchurch. Barry Wants to Meet Arnst. London, Dec. 15. Mr H. T. Blackstaffe, the wellknown sculler, has informed the Sportsman that if Arnst cares to ~vlsit^England, Barry can be matcbecT'te--. scull him on the Thames for tMjchampioaship of the world. X —.