SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIPS.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 282, 26 November 1921, Page 11

SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIPS.

INTEREST GROWING. CONTESTANTS GETTING JNTO FORM. (By Telegraph—Special to "EUr.l WANGANUI, this day. Interest in the world's sculling championship race between R. Arnat aad Darcy Hadfield is growing apace. The eventful day m some six weeks off yet, but already conI eiderable sums have been wagered on ; the result. The betting favours Arnst, but there is plenty of Hadfield money about if a shade of odds ie given in. Arnst went up the river into camp on Wednesday in order to do the remainder of his training on the course proper. Since arrival in Wanganui, the champion has, by solid work, gradually reduced his weight, and he is now down 'close to 14 stone stripped. He should have no difficulty in taking another 8 i.or 10 pounds off and then he wrll be in i good racing trim. He looks very well ! now, and he is rowing in fine style, much like the Arnst of old. He is unlikely to show his old brilliancy, but his staying powers appear to be unimpaired. ,He put up a splendid row over three miles cm Tuesday, finishing strongly, and since being up the river has covered the full course of three and a-quarter miles twice daily at a solid pace. His intentions at present arc to do without a trainer or a regular pacemaker. He ie confident that hej can get himself into proper fettle without assistance from anyone jelse. < Speaking in reference .Jo the challenges which have been issued by Hannan, Paddon and Ripley, to row the winner of the forthcoming race. Arnst says that if he has the luck to beat Hadfield he will be prepared to row whoever of the three was really in first with a bona fide challenge. He is inclined to 'think this may -prove to be Hannan. but it is all the same to Arnst. He intends to abide by the rulee on the •subject. One thing he does mean to insist upon if he retains the title ait*r i the sth of January, and that is an early 'date for the following match, whether !it is against Hannan. Paddon or Ripley. jHe recognises that it will be to his advantage to row, say Hannan, as soon a-s he can, and then take on Paddon while he is still fit. He wants to get all the matches he can, so long ac he continues winning, ac quickly as possible. Any long interval between races I would be detrimental to him. as he j would put on weight during the spell . very rapidly, and it would be hard work to get into form again. Of course if Hadfield beats Arnet there will be nothing for the latter to Ido but drop out of the game. Hadfield ' has not done a great deal of rowing this week, but lie is looking fit and well and says he feels well. Seen on the, river the other day, he was rowing in fine style, and it is evident that his trainer acted wisely in o-etting him to alter his rigging and shorten his sculls inboard and out. His clearance is j better and he can get pace on quicker, the, result Treing that fo«' e'hould be ! faster than ever and stay better. He lis keeping Iriß weight "up -wen. He I has spent the last couple of daya shooting in the Makirikiri district.' As he docis not want to overdo his work in the boat the challenger does not intend to go into camp up the river for another three weeks. He hopes to have his new boat, which George Towns is now busy making, here, by .the 10th December. He appears to be confident that he will be capable of putting up the best race he has ever done on the othj January, and those associated with him are very pleased with his prospects.