SCULLING CHAMPION.

Otaki Mail, 11 January 1922, Page 2

SCULLING CHAMPION.

HADFIELD’S SPLENDID RECORD. Darcy Hadfield (the world’s champion sculler) was born near Nelson on D'eccmbor Ist, 1889. He started work on a. farm at the age of 13j years, and latter served a portion of his apprenticeship as a shipwright with his father. going to Auckland in 1910 to complete hip apprenticeship with Charles Bailey. There be took on rowing, and for two years was very successful in fours and double sculls.' L;tto in 1012 lie tried single sculling, and in March of the following year won the Pearce Cup and the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association’s championship at Wellington. Later in the same year he also won several handicap races at Auckland. In 3914, Hadfield retained the amateur championship of New Zealand at Mercer, aDd also the Pearce Cup at Wellington, and in 1015, a€ Picton, again justified bis claim to ho amateur champion. Early in 191# Hadfield went to the war, and was wounded at Passchendacle. After two months in hospital he returned to the front, but was attacked by bronchitis, which sent him to England for several months. Hfe joined the Godford rowing party, and won a sculling race at the Hammersmith service regatta, also having a seat in the winning four. The next couple of months saw Hadfield winning a variety of Towing races. As an illustration of his staying powers, it may be mentioned that one afternoon he covered a mile eight times in exhibition races, winning on each occasion. After the armistice he represented England in the eight-oared race against France, rowing No. 7. In June of the same year Hadfield won the single sculls at Walton and Marlow regattas, and in July excelled himself by winning the Kingswood Cup at the Royal Henley peace regatta, defeating some of the world's noted scullers, including Kinnear. the winner of the 1912 Olympic sculls and the chief sculling contests in England. Hadfield then went to Paris, and at the Pershing Stadium Gaines won the army senliing championship, defeating representatives of England, France, America, Italy, Belgium, and Australia. Back in New Zealand, Hadfield in 1520 once more won the amateur championship of New Zealand and the Pearce Cup, while with A. White he secured the champion double sc nils. Hadfield represented New Zealand at the Olympic Games at Antwerp, where eircumstanees conspired against hiia, and on his .return again he retained his championship honours, with his"eyes on the world’s professional championship. Hadfield turned professional and challenged the winner of the Arnst-Hannan race.