How Haitian Won and Lost the World’s Championship.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 450, 1 March 1890, Page 3

How Haitian Won and Lost the World’s Championship.

Njjd Hanlak, the ex-champion sculler, in talking of Australian oarsmen, says : ‘ In 1883 I could beat Teemer or Gaudaur nearly a quarter of a mile in three miles, and I was then at my best.. I was given a grand reception when I landed in Austra'ia in March, 1884, and I won 10,000 dollars by defeating Laycock on the Nepean. I was wined and dined so much that I began to lose form. Beach challenged me, and we signed articles. Although riot in the best condition, I think that I. should have won had I not run up against a big steamboat. It was fortunate that 1 was not killed. The shock unnerved me for two months. I rowed Clifford February 28th, and won. In my second race with Beach I had no speed and was easily defeated. I came home in May, 1885, and returned to Australia in September, 1887. My third race With Beach on : the Nepean was for 2.500 dollars a-side and the championship. It was about the fastest and besc race I ever rowed, and the only mistake I made was in not crowding the race earlier. Beach won by a second and a half, and he was dead at the finish line, while I was strong. I would have surely beaten him in another quarter of a mile. I lost my money and the championship by the smallest possible margin. After this I felt discouraged and took no care of myself. I was utterly unfit to row when I met Kemp. 1 could no more be compared to the Hanlan who rowed two miles on Toronto Bay in 11 minutes than a three-minute horse be compared to a 2.10 horse. When I first went to Australia the boats were nob good. A wonderful change has taken place under the impulse which I gave to rowing there. Now the shells are perfect in model and construction.’