INTER-ALLIED ROWING.

Taihape Daily Times, 25 June 1919, Page 5

INTER-ALLIED ROWING.

1 “ALL BLACKS’-.’ VICTORY DEFEAT OF AMERICANS STIRRING RACE ON SEINE. After a ding-dong struggle, magnificently contested over every yard fl the course, New Zealand yesterday afternoon Won the Inter-Allied eight oared race on the Seine at Paris by a quarter of a length from the American representatives, says the Paris edition of the “Daily Mail,” of April 27 last. France and Newfoundland also competed in the max, and put up a good fight for third place, the honour going to France. Boisterou~s«,* showery weather severely tested the endurance of t.he oarsmon. A strong__ south-West Wind whipped the swiftly—flowing stream into forrnidable Waves and caused the boats to ship a considerable amount of water.

A brief spell of sunshine early in the afternoon encouraged ‘Parisians to assemble in their thousands on the quais and bridges: forming excellent vantage points on the mile and a-half course from the Pont Royal to the Pont d’lena, -but the pelting rain, which set in later, drove many of them to Shelter.

A reserved stand on tfié Quai d’lena was decorated with flags {of the Al- - nations, and steamers, and a French and an American military band played national anthems and popular ans. \

~ Anlong_.those_ present on the sfafiti '\Vpl*e Ff Mh_‘ssey;’_:3Pl;illle Ministef of ; New‘ Zealilri,d.“ e'qn‘c;ral Per.shi;.r_lg, 7 Colonel d3Bollva.lét,'r ::refiresenting the Frenclr Premier, Admiral. Hebert, of the‘ French Navy, and Generéfl "VV; VV.':; Harts, commanding the itnréricen troops in thé Paris district. ' ' ' In the first heat of the inter-allied race France and Newfoundland got off well together, with Portugal following] The Newfoudlanders; rowing a" quick, steady stroke, soon forged ahead and obtaineda goodlead, but they experienced hard luck. First of all, a steamer coming up the river, drove them out of their course, and then a steamer carrying a contingent of soldiers gave them itswash. The result ‘Was that the French went to the front at the Pont dc l’Alma, and gained the verdict. The Portuguese struggle gamely, but were outclassed.

In the second heat America, on the south side. was drawn a_gai_nst AlsaceLorraine, in the centre, and New Zealand on the ‘north side. ,THe New Zealand eight got off smartly and had a slight advantage at:the Pdlit“(ie ‘S6I! ferino. The. Anler_l‘canvs- were rowing well within themselves, but erratic steering near the ‘Pent de I’Alma lost them ground, and the New Zea--lan'ders passed the finishing post with a length to =s-pare. ‘The A‘leace-Lor-raine. crew Wae it b’adHthird'.“ ‘ '

’_ The- finalhveat was althrilling spec-‘ tacle. After a false start,‘ the four crews, America, New Zealand, New;foundland,.and France——that being the iorder from the south side of the sta- , tions—_hit' the water together. i For a short distance the four boats gwere fairly level, and then followed E2lll exciting battle between New Zeaflaud and Amerie-ap. with France and }NewfounHland fighting for third i place 9 The Americans made effective use 'of their long reach and powerful leg ‘stroke, while the New Zealandcrs pullled a somewhat quicker. stroke, swung ‘perfectly and recovered smartly" The ‘!Newfoundlanders ploughed through i the rough waters as if they enjoyed the :exercise, and the French plodded on ‘with the smoothness of experienced ihands-. . I First the American crew nosed a7hea.d, lthen -the new Zealand and at the ‘Pant do l’Alma the boats were even. !After going under__the Passerelle the §New Zcalandcrs were about Ta foot in front. Captain Cabot, the captain of the American crew, called upon his; men for a last effort. They spurtedl gamely, but the New Zealanders star-' ed off the challenge. and increasing. their lead won by a quarter of a?‘ length. France finishing two lengths! behind» the Americans, a length. to the good of Newfoundland. Major R, H. T-lardie, the [manager of the New Zealaders, and Private J. Britton, the coach, received many congratulations on the victory, of their crew. At the conclusion of the race the Americans were presented by their coach, Captain C. D. Wiinan, to Gen- ' eral Pershing, who complimented them D on their splendid effort. ,