THE SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1942, 12 September 1889, Page 1

THE SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

London, Sept, 9. The Australian wpn the toss and chose the. Surrey side of the river. At 1,25 p.m. the,word:“jGo” was given. O’Connor was first ( away) and rowing a fast stroke soon bad .the advantage of half a lead. On passing the Crabtree Searle had drawn up level, and at the Soap Works iwfls, half a length to the good, and this was doubled on passing Chiswick, O’Connor made ,a feeble spurt here,but it was oft.no avail, as Searle was increasing the lead every stroke. At Barnes.. O’Connor was showing unmistakeable ,signs, of distress, and thence’ to//thefjfihish, tbe.iracerwas simply a Searle, sculling; in. ap easy winner iby ten; lengths.;, Time> 22min 42sec. , Searle met with an enthusiastic reception on stepping out of hjs boat. The winner- rowed ;the first mile in 4mio 53sec, passed, Hammersmith in Bmin 88sec, and Barnes in 19min Bsec.

On being interviewed at the finish of the race Searle appeared quite fresh. He states that for the first two miles it was a hard race,-but after that he only paddled, and could have increased his advantage to forty lengths had he wished,-

The time for the,-first mile toiHaramersmitb bridge ’has--not'been equalled iu any sculling championship,*

O’Connor’s time- for < the race was 23min 2soc.

! Searle stripped^!-11st 101 b, G’Connpr was lib lighter.- '■ Off Alexander’s boat-honse O’Connor caught a bad crab, and allowed the Australian to obtain a lead, Searle being fresh while O’Connor was quite exhausted. The champion’s victory, is highly popular.

Sept. 10. A hundred thousand people witnessed the boat race. It was beautiful weather. The betting was 5 to 4 on Searle. O’Connor got the Searle was half a length ahead at the Boap r workß, and drawing away won by ten lengths easily. Time—22rain 42seo, t ,

O’Connor was meraentarily the favorite at the start, bnt the confidence of bis supporters soon collapsed. The news of bis defeat was like a thunderclap at Toronto. The Canadians * are said to have lost £BO,OOO, Searle purposely allowed bis opponent to get half a length’s start, The Press are unanimous in conceding the superiority of Searle to his opponent, The champion will probably make a match with an American sculler. The Australian .contingent assert that they won £BO,OOO by their countryman’s victory. O’Connor stated to an interviewer that be was over-trained, but admits ,Searle’s superiority. Sydney, Sept. 10.

The news of Searle’s victory was received with great enthusiasm both here and iu Melbourne, Ten thousand pounds were sent from New South Wales to back the champion.