THE CHAMPION SCULLING MATCH.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 76, 8 April 1885, Page 2

THE CHAMPION SCULLING MATCH.

Poscriptlon of the Race,

pAittfiotfLAßS of the groat (struggle between Hanlan and Beaeh for the champ'ionship of the world are now to hand, and show conclusively that the Australian had an eaay victory. Hanlan now admits that Beach Is the best sculler in the world, and he even ( has expressed his intention of backing Beach in his future matches. Speaking of the rnoe, Beach said he rowed at hrst as , hard bs ha could, but soon found that he had the rale i« Hand, and was able to , slacken his speed. Tno Mlowin^ interesting account of the race appjs&s in the "Sydney Morning Herald :- " Beach won the toss for position, and of course selected the south side. Thero is no doubt that winning the toss gives a man a s-ieat advantage here both in wind and water, and it would be much bettor if the race were startod in the bay below Unr s l'eintj wbflre no such advantago is offered. It might oo remarked that ths race on Saturday was rowed with tfco tide running inward, and two hours old, and tins of it»lt would be sufiicient to make the time for the race rather slow. Hanlan was the first to take up his position, which he did over against the southern bank, but he had to leave this when Beach pulled over. By-and-by they both got into position, and waited for the mutual start. To see them thus side by side one must have admitted thdt two finer embodiments of different types of physical perfection could hardly b& found : Hanlan, with his finfl silky skin, faultless symmetry of limb and features, fl beau ideal of dash and nerve force; Eeach, with his huge bronzed muscles, and set of resolute features, a model of bulldog tenacity, a man who would struggle on patiently to the end at all odds, who must be beaten all the way and at the finish, or he would never bo beaten at all. Hanlan lays his body forward to catch the water, but Boach gives no answering sign. He is not ready, and he will not hurry. Two or three times he passes his sculls gently through tho water just enough to keep his boat in position. A moments expectation, and by a common impulse, as though knowing each other's minds, they dashed of!', Boach being the first to catch the wator. The paco at the start is terrific, Beacli rowing 40 to the minute and Hanlan 41. Hardly have they reached Uhr's Point bofore there is a shout " Beach leads." but the Infloxiblo was very slow in gotting nway, and it was impossible for thoso in her to say. Another hundrcc yards or ho brings both men to Rocky Point, and then it was plain to all Boach had a clear lead, and was rowing away as strong as a lion. Hanlan looked round at him, only to see that he was two clear length? ahoad, and increasing the distance at every f troke. Thon the truth flashed on everyone on board—Boach had already won the raco. His backers fairly danced and shouted with joy. They shook hands frantically, andcheeredtheirfavourite until they were hoarse. But 40 to the minuto cannot last long, and when Beach led tho way out into the contre of the stream ho was rowing 38, while Hanlan who pulled fair in his wake, rowed 34. Beach's friends wore now so confident that carrier pigeons were thrown up from tho boat announcing his victory. Away streamed Beach lor Blaxland Point, both men easing down to 32, Hanlan appearing to pull in a somewhat laboured manner. Thoro was not a great crowd of people at tho beacon, but those who were there sent up a hearty cheer for the hero of the Lakes as lio passed tho mile beacon exactly 6 minutes 15 seconds after the start, Hanlan'a time being 6 minutes 23 seconds. Beach thon mado away for Putney, rowing something like 28 to the minute, but this he increased to 32. His lead thore amounted to about four lengths, which he maintained with ea;e. In the reach approaching Putney both men were in slack Beach loading just as he wished. The mile and a-half was covered in 9 minutes 45 seconds by Beach. Beach eased oIF again, but on leaving Putney he increased bis stroke once moro from 28 to 30, which ho maintained passing the gasworks, the rospoctive timos taken being 11 minutes 30 seconds and 11 minutus 40 soconds. Beach now Btruck out into the centre of tho stream, tho steamers which worn anchorod along tho oourpo blowing their whistles oh a salute to him. Going down to Cabarita Poiut, Boach mado closo in to the southern bank, going vory noar the steamors. A single touch and the race would havo been rovoreod; but Boach steorod away with plenty of room to spare. At Cabarita Point, Boach was six lengths ahead, tho roi-poctivo timos boing 10 minutes 10 seconds and lti minutes 24 soconds. Approaching Gladosvillo Wharf, tho anchorod stoamors could bo soen literally alive with people, who gavo peals of cheering for Boach as ho dashed by—time 17 minutes 30 seconds and 17 minutes 53 seconds. On tno point near the Sydney Rowing Sheds tho pooplo had collected by thousands, and tho cheers which they sent up for Beach woro .10 loud and so long sustained as to drown all conversation on board tho steamer. Tho end was now close at hand. Hooch passed One Man Wharf at 20 minutes 5 seconds, and Hanlnn at 20 minutes 25 seconds, and (hen they entered tho bay cloeo to tho finishing point. A mighty roar of choois and hurrahs burst from tho throats .of the aspombled thousands as Beach came down to them leading by about 100 yards. Steamers blew their whistles, handkerchiefs and flags wero waved, all helping to make up a scono that can never do forgotten. Boach rowed quietly past the winning post ton lengths to the good when tho flag was lowered by Mr Richards. Time,22 minutes 51A soconds. Hanlan did not finish the course. Re looked worn and weary as he nodded with a quiet smile to his friends on tho steamer, and then pulled away. Beach at onco put on a jackot and cap, which wero handed to him, and waved his hand to those on board tho steamer. He was the champion sculler of the world."