Gaudaur v. Hanlan A SENSATIONAL INCIDENT. (SPECIAL MESSAGE TO THE "EVENING NEWS.")

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 207, 18 June 1887, Page 4

Gaudaur v. H an lan A SENSATIONAL INCIDENT. (SPECIAL MESSAGE TO THE " EVENING NEWS.")

London, May 31. The great sculling match between Edward Hanlan, the ex-Champion Sculler of the World, and Jacob A. Gaudaur, took place yestoiday, at Calumet, Ottawa River. The match was for L5OO a side, and the titular honour of "' Champion Sculler of America." The conditions of the race were that it should be over a course of three miles with one turn. The weather was as unpropiteous as it well could be for such an event. A miserably drizzling driving rain fell during the contest, the wind was uncomfortably high, the water was "lumpy," and the aquatic surroundings were such as to compel the two competitors to exercise no inconsiderable skill in negotiating the difficulties. But despite theunpleasantness of the weather, an immense concourse of persons assembled to watch the contest. How many spectators were present it is impossible to estimate >\ ith any accuracy. This, however, may be said —that never before, either in Canada or America, has there assembled such a concourse of spectators to witness a sculling contest. The two men stripped in the very pink of condition, and before going afloat each man expressed himself as being very confident that he would secure the victory. Little time was lost in preparations. As soon as the two men had settled themselves at their respective stations— moored boats, the word " Go " was given, and the two boats simultaneously shot forward, neither having the advantage in the start. In the first minute of the race Hanlan struck thirty-eight strokes to Gaudaur's 37. Hanlan at this early stage of the race showed greater speed, and was leading by two feet. The two men rowed in grand style. Hanlan had never before displayed such machino-like regularity, and Gaudaur had never displayed more perfect form or greater judgment. On finding that Hanlan was leaving him, Gaudaur increased the rate of his stroke. Hanlan responded, and succeeded in not only maintaining his advantage, but in increasing it. Toward the close of the first mile, the race became terrific. Hanlan, who, although being pressed very hard by his determined opponent, seemed to be rowing well within himself, and Gaudaur, rlespite his grand, sweeping stroke and brilliant form, seemed to be unable to arrest the progre&s of the ex-champion. At the end of the first mile the water became very lumpy. This seemed to give the men some trouble ; but both maintained their faultless form Hanlan, at this point, had a lead of a good boat's length. It was said by those looking on that " Gaudaur had more in him than he pleased to show at so early a stage in the race." Be this as it may, Hanlan kept gliding inch by inch away from Gaudaui, and at the half distance he was loading Gaudaur by nearly two lengths. Hanlan rounded the buoy in fine style, and was rewarded with a loud outburst of cheering. By the time the cheers had died away Gaudaur had also rounded the buoy, and when fairly in the straight seemed to ply his sculls with marvellous effect. Every stroke pulled by Gaudaur made a perceptible reduction in the gap between himself and Hanlan, Gaudaur's marvellous dovelopinont of speed seemed to completely stagger Hanlan, who actually stopped, and the next instant the two men were on almost oven terms. The excitement grew intense, and for a moment there was an almost dead calm among the spectators. Then the rival parties of the competitors recovered themselves, and vied with each other in their boisterous mode of urging the men to energy. Hanlan again set to work, and Kicceedod in maintaining the load. In the.

latter ha 3&" o£ tflie j&iamey the men hacfltfcv battle with the driving: rain and wind, amd the increased'- roughness in the watey^ Still they maintained- fine form. OitJ Hanlan resuming wouk after the stop-i page, and on> his getting awaj' from Gaudaur again> tho hopes of the exchampion's party? were' bolstered up to a high degree ; bufrifrwas- only for a short time, for Hanlan had begun to fag very perceptibly and, faltering,, lite rowing became very uneven. Then* tbt&re came the sensation of the race.- On the route about a mile from the-> winning post there was a grand stand crowded by thousands of excited spectators. Cheer after cheer greeted the men as they/ oame abreast of this point. The cheers Had a marvellous effect upon Gaudaur. H® shot up to Hanlan in a few stroke. 13 . Hanlan collapsed, and in a very short space of time Gaudaur was leading by at least six lengths. From this point the race was over. Gaudaur, who seemed yet to have a groat reserve of muscular power,, awed and allowed Hanlan to draw up to him. Hanlan made a few attempts to get on terms with Gaudaui', but his offoits were futile. Gaudaur had Hanlan completely at his mercy. Gaudaur eventually won by more than three lengths, but had he chosen, he could almost have lost the exchampion. Gaudaur says that for moro than two miles it was tho hardest race lie ever rowed. Hanlan says that ho was fairly beaten, but he declines to admit that Gaudaur is a superior man to himself in a boat. Hanlan says that he was suffering from the effects of a cold, and to this lie attributes his defeat.