ROWING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2814, 19 February 1908, Page 57

ROWING.

REGATTA FIXTURES. February 22. — Christchurch. February 29.— "Wellington. March 4.— lnvercargili. March 23.— Dunedin (Port Chalmers). March 03 — JTapier (Championship).

BY STROKF.

From the above it w ill be noticed that tlie Christchurch Regatta has been postponed a week owing to the bad weather last Saturday. Evidently Lake Forsyth was m one of its worst moods again. As a rule the lake is calm for six or eight weeks before the regatta, but the appointed day generally sees the waters of the lake dashed into great waves. When rain is added to the ttrong, biting * md Lake Forsyth is a place one is well out oj, as there is no shelter. The Otago representative crew, representing the Otago Club, journeyed to Lake Forsyth last Saturday, and were -very much disappointed at not getting a go at the Christchurch crews after all their training and! their long -rip up. It is unlikely that the men will be able to go up again at the end of the week, as they have to MPit Invercargill in a fortnight's time to fulfill their engagement with the representative* of Southland, and they cannot get away from business three times in one month. The crew had been showing splendid form just prior to leaving for Christchurch, and although now and again they had a "bad" night, that is only the lot that falls to every crew, however good they may be. I iaw them rowing on Tuesday of la^t week, and they were really good to* look at, and it. was a fine pi(H;e of rowing I witnessed. If the trew race like that against Basstian's crew they w ill jive the Southerners a gieat thake up. I expect they will have a few days' r^t befoie starting again The final of the Ora^o OluVs. LaJ.es" challenge Cup aas rowed op Thursday night between Keir'« Muls's and Ste\ens's •rows. It wao quite dark when the iace

was rowed, and the water was fairly rough, f a.ll the boats ehippinjj,a good deal of water, i At the start Kerr and Mills quickly jumped j away, and led for a ehort dietanoe, when Stevens began to draw on Kerr, who commenced to fall back a bit. At half distance Mills was leading, and Stevens had beaten Kerr for second position. A ding-dong race then ensued between the two leaders, and Stevens gradually wore the big man, down. Entering the wharves he was level, and putting in a well-timed spurt, he passed the post winner by half a length, Kerr being two lengths or so behind Mills. The winner rowed a good race and thoroughly deserved his win. His crew was not a big one, but the two bow men (one of whom, Stewart, i 9 this season's novice) fairly rose to the occasion, and are to be heartily congratulated oil their victory. This is the second time Stevens has won this Cup, he ha\ing rowed No. 2 in the winning crew la6t year. After a good deal of postponing the Port Club managed to get their President's Fours off. The crews left in the semi-final were* J. Thomson, A. Goudie, F. Keenan, and J. Glengarry. Keenan beat Glengarry after a good go by a earner, and Thomson beat Goudie by half a length. This left Keenan and Thomson for the final, and proved to be the best race of the lot. Both crews raced neck and neck all the way, but towards the finish Thomson's better combination told, and he just managed to beat the veteran by half a length after a great struggle. Night work is still interfering with the j regatta crews' training. The Senior Four j and Maiden Four arc the only ones which ) have been out so far. ] noticed the Seniors i having a dash over the course the other J morning. They are a. long way from perfect. I but. of oourse, they have not done any rowing together yet. I thought M'Donald was inclined to cut it a bit short at times. No. 2'g swing and time can improve. While speaking of the Port Club, f noticed that one of their old members, Philip Lightbourne, who has done a lot of good work for the club on the association, was married the other day. The club made him a very handsome present, and I am sure all rowing men (especially the association) join the Port Club in wishing him and his bride long life and happiness.

The Drive Club is still in a "dead'" condition. It is a pity some of the jounger members do not get a move on and slvo\ c thing-s ahead. They cannot expect the old ones to always do everything.

There has been some talk lately of a regatta being held at Queenstown on* Easter Saturday, and a strong Regatta Committee has been formed at that place to run matters. Although Easter is a bit late this year, the idea should appeal to oarsmen, as the regatta would, more or less, be a huge picnic for rowing men. No doubt the Invercargillites would patronise it, and Otago men would have good competition. The cost per man would be very small, and it is suggested that the men could travel up on Good Friday, race on Saturday, have Sunday for sight-seeing, and return on Monda}\ This would be a capital programme. The Queenstown people have promised to do all they possibly can to make the trip a pleasant one for all who care to go, so that if the regatta does come off rowers need have no fear of not enjoying themselves.

THE SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP

WANGANUI, February

As the day on which the scul'ing cham-pions-hip of the world is to be decided draws near interest in the training operations increases. Those desirous of witnessing Webb's morning .spins need to be out early, as he now lea\e<> his camp at 6 o'clock. This morning he <xn pred the full course with an average stroke of 25. He made a splendid page throughout, with apparently little effort The champion's weight 16 now list, having increased a few pounds since he went into camp. It is probable that when he strips on Tuesda3' next he will tip the beam at Hot 31b. Both backer and trainer are confident that, unless anything unfoieseen happens, their man will give an exhibition which will be eminently satisfactory to the party. While Webb has increased in weight the challenger has deer-eased in the same ratio, and it now 12st 31b. This is the weight his trainer anticipated he would scale when given hard work. Like Webb, he w a mass of muscle, and as confident as ever. Tresiddor will row in his hea'\ ier boat, and Webb in that recently built for him by Chiifi Neileon. Australian visitors express thomsehes surprised at the improvement shown h\ Webb since they saw him on the Parramatta.