ROWING.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 July 1919, Page 11

ROWING.

HOW NEW ZEALANDERS WON ON THE SEINE. BEST EIGHT-OARED RACE EVER ROWED. Great interest was occasioned by an Inter-Allied race on the Seine on Sunday, April 28. New Zealand won what is regarded as one of the beat eight-oar races ever rowed. The course was between the lloyal Bridge and the Jena Briuge— completely across Paris. America led until within a quarter of a mile of the iinisli, when xvew Zealand put on a magnificent spurt and finally passed the post eight feet ahead. France was third.

The Paris edition of the New;,. York Herald gives further particulars of the race. The crews rowed dowii stream over a mile and a half course. I'rancc-, Portugal, and Newfoundland competed in the first heat at 2.1 a, America, New Zealand, and Alsace-Lorraine taking part in the second race at 2.45. The linal, between the lirst and second crews of the heats, was scheduled for 4.30. Next to Portugal, the American crew was the lightest of the six competing, the averages, from bow to stroke, of the different crews being:— America: Age, 20.5; height, fift.j weight, ltd soz. I<ranees 30.5; oft. 9in.; 1771b. Portugal: 23.5; oft 7in; 1651b. New Zealand: 25.25; sft lOin; 1901b. Newfoundland: 20.0; sft 9in; 1831b. Alsace-Lorraine: —; sft Bin; 1771b 502. Kew Zealand.—G. 11. Wilson, bow; A. T. White, 2; C. L. Lester, 3; W. O. Comber, 4; W. Patterson, 5; 9. R. Routledge, 6; D. G. Hadlield 7, C. A. Healoy, str.; A. H. Russell, cox. HOW NEW ZEALAND WON.

Bv a scant quarter-length (says the Paris edition of the New York HeraldJ, New Zealand's eight nosed out that of the United States Army at the finish for the final heat qi the 'lnternational regatta on the Seine on Sunday afternoon. The New Zealanders and the Americans fought for the lead the entire course, first one aiid then the other forcing its 'bow ahead of its rival. Despite adverse Weather conditions, both banks of the Seine between the Poilt Royal and the Pont dlena were lined by enthusiastic spectators, a conservative estimate of the great assembly being 25,000 persons. Many of these were American soldiers, but it was noticed that the great majority were French civilians, who Were keenly interested in the various contests; and applauded the winners with considerable vigor. Great interest was manifested in the races by General John J. Pershin?, who wis present, and at the close of the regatta expressed his satisfaction, praising the Victors for the excellent manner In which thev had won. In the first heat France covered the course in Bmin 31-Bsec., with Newfoundland only one-fifth of a second behind. The Portuguese crew was at least 100 yards in the rear. In the second heat, which brought together the New Zealand, American, and Alsace-Lorraine crews the Netf Zealaiidera finished In 9min. with the American oarsmen about two lengths behind and covering the distance in flmin 31-ssec., this fact attesting the strong finish effected by the American delegation ond their strong effort to outrow the New Zealanders. These heats led to the final contest he-' tween the first and second crews in the preliminaries, and although there were few Colonials present, the New Zealand crew was given a srreat ovation by the American and British troops. The final waa rowed in flmin 28see.