PICTON MAY BE THE MECCA OF CHAMPIONS

NZ Truth, Issue 1207, 17 January 1929, Page 12

PICTON MAY BE THE MECCA OF CHAMPIONS

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Pearce May Tackle Our Stars CHAMPIONSHIP SCULLING DE LUXE (From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Racing Correspondent). If the efforts being' made to induce Bobby Pearce to visit New Zealand and compete m the champion sculls at Picton are successful, no one will be more pleased than "Grus" Jackson.

WHEN m Wellington on his way back to Wanganui, W. Webb stated that he told Pearce that New Zealanders would be delighted if he came across to icompete at Picton. Pearce has not yet made up his mind whether he will accept or not. The Americans, still w,ant him. Over Blenheim way practical steps are being taken to secure a visit from Pearce if possible. Jackson would welcome the chance of again meeting Pearce, especially if the conditions were favorable. Joe Bright would also be a fly m the. ointment and Joe is training hard for the big event. As a result of the failure of Gus Jackson to row up to expectations m Sydney, the singles ' championship at I Picton will be invested with peculiar interest. Since his defeat 'ye.have been told of several scullers who are likely to beat the. present ' New Zealand champion. They might — if the water is choppy — but with favorable conditions Jackson will prove too good for any of them. i The Akaroa regatta, which was I to have been held on New Year's day, had to be postponed indefinitely owingyto the water being too . choppy for rowing. . • '■ This was very disappointing to four Christchurch clubs which had gone to the trouble and expense of conveying themselves and their boats over the hills. There .A s a likelihood of the New Zealand ' championship eights being rowed on some other date than Easter Saturday, as originally intended. If the Greenstown regatta is held on Easter Saturday, the Southland and Otago clubs will be represented there. This would prevent Otago sending an eight to Corsair Bay,, and this would be a pity, especially m view of the fact that It is unlikely more

Wairau's Ghana

than three or four crews will compete whatever date is fixed. The . Wellington regatta has been fixed for February 16 and the New Zealand championship regatta will be held at Picton the following Saturday. It is expected that the entries m each case will be large, and some excellent racing should be witnessed. The champion fours promises to provide a most interesting race. The present holders of the title — Wanganui Union — will no doubt be on hand todefend their honors, but since returning from Australia they had clone no rowing up to a few days ago, at all events. \ • Reports from the river city show that M. Galbraith, number three m the champion ere w, has. decided to remain m Wanganui for some time nt least. This will mean that Clarrie Healey will have his old crew with him again. If the light blues can strike the form they showed prior to going' to Melbourne and m the race over there they should retain the championship. Ii owe ver, Healey will have to get to work m earnest with his men if they are to get back to top form by the 23rd of next month. Wairau "acted as ,runners-up to Union last year, and recently showed good form m winning at the Picton regatta. The wearers of the emerald green and white singlet did' not show the same combination on New Year's Day that they did. at Wanganui, but they can be depended upon to be at top form ( next month. They are very keen to turn the tables on the present champions. . A crew which is likely to be well m the picture m the big race at Picton is Avon. This is' a very fine crew m the ■making, with two of the cleverest oarsmen m the Dominion m the boat m the Styles brothers. If the other two men are up to the standard of the two brothers then Avon will ' be worthily represented.