SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 122, 23 June 1909, Page 3

SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP

ARNST AGAIN BEATS WEBB. A RACE TO A FINISH. IN RECORD TIME. WANtJANCi SATISFIED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wangauui, last Night. The race for the sculling championship

of the world wan decided to-day under perfect weather conditions. Rain fell about 1 o'clock, but the sky brightened long before the race started at 111). Both men looked in the best of condition. Weill) won the toss and chose the Kaiwhaike side. Both made a good start, Webb striking 37 to the minute and Arnst 35. Webb had a slight advantage at the first quarter-mile, doing 30 a minute to Arnst's 28. Both were

sculling well. Webb's style was superb, but Arnst was putting more weight into his work. Approaching the mile,

which was accomplished in 5 minutes 15 seconds, Arnst and Webb were almost

level, out the champion soon got ahead of the challenger. The rate at this point, was Arnst '26, Webb 25. At the mile and a-quarter, Arnst was nearly a length to the good, and apparently keeping within himself.\ Webb appeared to be tiring at two miles, which was done in 10 minutes 52 seconds, Arnst being then

two lengths ahead of the challenger, and giving Webb his wash, but the latter's strenuous efforts soon decreased the gap. At the bend, Arnst was in Webb's water, the latter being some three or four lengths behind, but rowing splendidly, and it looked as if he would overlap Arnst, who was r o|wing 26 to Webb's 30. The challenger's spurt lasted fully a quarter of a mile, and the struggle provided a splendid exhibition of sculling, the finish being a most strenuous endeavor by both men. Arnst, however, was too good for the challenger, and drew away three-quarters of a mile from home. Webb's defeat was now apparently inevitable, but the challenger made a last desperate effort, and amidet stupendous cheering s from his supporters, lessened Arnst's lead. Rowing 30 to the minute, Webb was gaining steadily, but Arnst, putting on a powerful stroke, kept his advantage, and swept past the post three lengths ahead. The time was 18 minutes 15 seconds. „

Both men received a great ovation as they shook hands. A crowd numbering between 6000 and 8000 witnessed the race. Mr. T. D. Cummins' acted as umpire and Mr. T. W. Ferry as judge. As 60on as the race was over, Arnst landed at his training quarters,- and after seeing his boat safely housed proceeded to R. Earle's residence for a rub-down. THE CHAMPION INTERVIEWED. "Well, Dick, how do you feel now?" asked one of his friends.

Tin feeling right now," replied Aros't, "but my word he rowed me to a finish. I reckon he rowed the race of his life today." "I'm certain he did," put in Jack Arnst. "Webb got the best of the start,' said the champion. "Just as I dipped I struck a wave. I reckon I was just ahead of him at the mile. What a spurt he put in in the home stretch!" "Yes," put in Jack, "but he put in a bigger one at the bend." "He had me rowing all the way," continued Dick; "he's as game as they make them."

The question of the time then cropped up, there being various calculations brought in by those present. Arnst laughed as he said, "Oh, I don't care what the time was; I won, and that's the main thing. You know I've felt a bit doubtful about this race. I was a little off color back ajwhile, and have been told since I had gastric influenza." The champion seemed deep in thought for a little and then he came out with: "My word, I'm satisfied Webb, is a great sculler. I don't wonder now the Wanganui people think such a lot of him." Another spell of thinking brought to the champion's mind things before the race, and he said: "Do yon know we knocked a hole through my boat on the way up? Yes, a scull went clean through the canvas, and out at the bottom. However, we patched it up and it made no difference." He said he thought sculling twice as hard work as cycling, but better fun and much safer, and snid he was very pleased at the reception given him at the finish. "Don't forget my Towns' boat," said the champion, "and that 7 used a pair of Norton's sculls, made in Wellington. They are beauties, too."

"How was the current?" he was ask-

"It was certainly no stronger than in December.'' v Asked as to his future. Arnst -said he co'ild say nothing definite until he hail seen his backers, and they saw what turned up. He has several invitations locally pig-shooting, etc., but he does not yet know how long he can stay here. WEBB'S INTENTIONS. Webb sculled down to his boat shed, and was given a hearty cheer by the people waiting to receive him. He at once walked up to his house, where he was nibbed down.

"Yes, it wns a hard race," lie said in his usual quiet way to a Press representative. "I did my best, but it is no pood saving one thing and meaning another. I am satisfied now I am not the bit of stuff to beat him. I trained hard, had the best of attention, and felt well," continued the ex-champion. *1 felt quite well all through the race, except at the mile, when I began to feel a little leg -weakness, and got a little tired in the front of the thigh, but it soon passed away, and I seemed then io go better. I didn't give up hope at all, and went after him. I thought I picked him un a bit, but he was too good, and I couldn't get up to him." Further discussing the fortunes' of the race, Webb said that he got a fraction second' start, which gave him nearly half a length lead. "When half a mile had gone I thought it was going to be neck and neck to the finish. At the half-mile I thought I was about three.quarters of a length ahead, but then I began to lose ground. Yes, my arm stood beautifully." "Will you row againf asked the reporter. "Well," said Webb, "if I do, I think T had better take a few .months'' spell ir*t. One thing I want to say," he concluded, "Dick Amst and I went on the mark the best of friends, as we did last time, and we are friends still."

SUBSCRIPTIOX FOR WEBB. Wanganui, Last Night. _ At the conclusion of the ehamnionship sculline race this afternoon, after the champion and ehallenzer had shaken hands, Amst pulled his skiff alongside the umpire's' boat, and requested that a subscription list lp started behalf of the ex-champion who had twice suffered at his hands, and ho would bo pleased to head the list with tin. The champion's thoughtful suggestion was at once acted upon, and Jlr. Laurie, secretary of Arnst's committee, went round with the hat, a sum of £2O being thus' raised on the Walone for the ex-cham-pion.

RECORD CABLING. Wanganui, £ast Xight. Tlic telegraph office states that the result of the sculling championship race, put in at Makirikiri at 2.33, was delivered in Sydney one minute later via the Pacific route. This constitutes a re-! cord. Wakapuaka. ILast Xight. The result* of the boat race reached Sydney exactly one minute from the time it. was handed in at Hakirikiri, near the finishing post. Tt took half a minute to reach Wakapuaka and a similar time to re-transmit to Sydney.

XO "SMXTEK." I For several reasons there was not the same intense interest taken in the match prior to the day as was manifested in the December contest (says the Wanganui Herald extra). For one thing Arnst had won so easily last time that many, while granting that Webb was unable to do himself justice then, could not s'ee haw he hud'any chalice of defeating i Arnst, even if at his very best. Then, again, there were some who were rather doubtful about the bona fides of the match, and there is no doubt that this took some of the interest out of the contest. It is almost unnecessary, of course, to say that there was more genuine race rowed, and tliosfc who witnessed to-day's struggle would be convinced on this point.

COMMENTS OX THE RACE. (By "Motuioa"). The fen* race is over and the sun of Webb is set ioi ever. Wanganui is' satisfied. It was a great race—a race of eliamm'or.s-Mid again lb" Canterbury man h'l? vanquished the hero of AVehbanui. The. attendance at yesterday's race was henllv up to that of previous oe"asions, but'.was sufficiently large to tlie leniure a satisfactory one for the "participants in the spoil. Special train* from north and south carried hordes of sporting folk to the "city of champions," and there one met in great n'linbevs the men from the bush, from th« plain' and fiom the towns. Ev Etemefl ian high. Ths (get that Webb was in tip-top

form and that a close contest was certain caused Wanganui-ites' to stick to .their.man solidly. Visitors were for Arnst all along the line, and much good cash left Wangnnui as the result of the race. The day broke beautifully line, but at

noon slight showers fell, after which the clouds dispersed and weather conditions were ideal for the contest. The foliow-thc-race boats were fairly well patronised, and the river-banks were thronged with people for mib-'s. (In the n't'.'cugth of his previous victory Arnst was a clightly hotter favor- ' '• thai Webb, and the champion's parly were coniident of success. When the sculiers took to the water it was rotieealblc that Webb appeared to have aged considerably, and alongside his lithe youthful opponent the Wanganui oarsman looked almost an old man—at any rate, a man past his' prime. -Much time was given up to sprinting I and nosing before the kinematograph machine, hut at eleven minutes past I two the pair .were sent on their trying journey. Webb on the inside quickly gained a slight lead, which Arnst, rowing slower, wns content to let him keep for three-quarters of a mile. From the jump it was evident that both oarsmen were out to make the pace a cracker; and a great roar went up when Webb was seen to ho leading.. Then Arnst ocgan to quicker his pace, and, in a few strokes, drew level with the ex-cham-pion, and rawing beautifully was a quarter of a length ahead at the mile peg, winch was reached in the smart time of smin losec.

Arnst was pulling a splendid sweeping stroke, and continued to draw awav iu the next mile. The race appeared to be all over and Wanganui hopes sank to zero. But Webb was not to be disposed |)f so -easily, and „t the turn quickened Ms stroke, and gaining a heap of ground on the inside, closed „p somewhat. Again the local cry went up, but Arnst easily forged ahead again and had four length the best of it at the thr"e mile post Webb spurted again and again and lessened the gap between the two boats.

A look of understanding seemed to pass between the pair, and both set * *, go over the las ISO yards, Arnst getting down to it in "re style. Then the champion's won tZ- /,." } 'T S pmrers were exhibited to their fullest extent. Webb was striving his utmost and rowing the race of hi? life but the farther they went the greater became Arnst's advantaee and TtltJ hUn n er ,° US . chee " n S he fl " i a i.ne r or I j8 n £ S lS neriat,lCS ' aShin " ri™ f L t " ,e ha 'l turaed ' nh[l ™ s teginmng to run out when the start was eftKk a te t to P S % ~ tedfOT 1 JwTS fm Y.™g U kve been found vitt Arnst's action in his previous ,f folk', his exhibition of scul ing i„ yesterday's r aee was perfect. JT e ] la " mZ tead 8 ? t - han<l . W«nd his tot Zns stead ly when gomg at top. fied with th r We ; S ,. ar ? PCrfect "- »'* in Arnst they saw a phenomena and a man who would be Webb's victor'at any

THE CHAMPIONSHIP HACKS. .Races for the title of world's chamP V"? T}™* """Wm undcT: Thamt^ois. 1 * 6 " J " * lel ' P«a Sg? bCat * KUS "- 1878-E. 'Trickett beat E. Laycock Parramatta, 23.30. "m-oc'v, 1880— E. Hanlan beat E. Trickett Thames, 20.12. -mcKett, 1881-E Hanlan beat K Laycock, Thames, 25.40. ' ■P 1882 ~ E - Han >an beat R. W. Boyd, Tync, 21.25. ' ' 1882-E Hanlan beat E. Trickett, Thames, 28.0. 18S4-E. Hanlan beat E! Laycock, Nepcan, 22.45. ' 1884— W. Beach beat Ji. Hanlan, Parramatta, 20.28'/.. IBBiS—AV. Beach beat T. Clifford, Parramatta, 26.0. 1885— W. Beach beat E. Hanlan, Parramatta, 22.51. 1885-. W. Beach beat N. llatterson, Parramatta, 24.11%. 1880—W.'Beach beat J. A. Gaudaur, Thames, 22.20. 188C-W. Beach beat W. Ross, Thames, 23.5. ,1887-hW. BUvch »at % Hanlan,. INepean, 10.55.

1888—P. Kemp beat T. Clifford, Parramatta, 23.47. 1888—P. Kemp beat E. Hanlan, Parramatta, 21.25. 1888— H. E. Searlc beat P. Kemp, Parramatta, 22.4414. 1800—11. E. Searle beat W. J. O'Connor, Thames, 22.42. 1800—P. Kemp beat N. Alatterson, Parramatta. 21.13'/,. 1890—P. Kemp beat J. McLean, Parramatta, 21',40'/ 2 . 181)1—J. McLean beat P. Kemp, Parramatta, 22.13. 1801— J. Stanbury beat J. McLca.i, Parramatta, 22.15 1 /,. *lBOl—.J. Stanbury beat ■!. Mclean, Parramatta, 18.25. Stanbury Beat T. Sullivan, Parramatta, 18.27. 1800— J. Stanbury beat C. R. Harding, Thames, 21.51. 189U-.T. A. Gaudaur beat J. Stanbury Thames, 23.1. 1001-G. A. Towns beat J. A. Gaulaur. Rat Portage, 20.30. ' 1904 G. Towns beat R. Tresiddcr, Parramatta, 21.48 4-5. 1005— J. Stanbury beat G. Towns, Parramatta. 19.50. I9CG-G. Towns beat J. Stanbury, Parramatta, 10.53'/,. 1907 G. Towns beat E Durnan, Parramatta, 22.27. 1007— W. Webb beat C. Towns, Parramatta, 20.45. ' 1908— W. Webb beat R, Trcsidder, Wanganui, 20.28. 1908— R. Arnst beat W Webb, Wanganui, 19.52. 1500— H. Arnst beat W. Webb, Wanganui, IS. 15. "These races were about half a mile short, of th" full course- The Thames course is 4 miles 400 yards; Parramatta 3 miles 330 yards; syne 3 miles 713 yards; Nepean, about 3% mile; Wanganui, 3 1 /! miles.