SCULLING RACE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 83, 8 April 1925, Page 5

SCULLING RACE.

HANNAN V. HADFIELD. BOTH IN GOOD FORM. WARM PRAISE FOR THE COURSE. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) TAURANGA, this day. The sculling match betwee J. (Pat) Hannan and Darcy Hadfield, to be rowed on the Tauranga Harbour on •Saturday next, promises to provide a keen contest. Both men are eager to get the verdict, as the winner will be in a position to meet Major Goodsell, holder of the world's championship. Hannan and HadlieJd have both given assiduous attention to their training, and should be able to cover the distance in fast time. The race starts from near the battle enclosure at Mount Maunganui. and will finish oil" the town wharf. The course was surveyed yesterday by Mr. Colliding. Tts length is 3 miles 330 yards, which is the same as the famous sculling course on the Parramatta.

Interviewed, Hannan stated that the good opinion which he formed of the Tauranga course on the occasion of his first visit was more than verified since he had been practising on it. He had. been training here for just on eight weeks, and during the whole time there was only one day on which he could not go out in his 'boat. He is emphatic in declaring that it is the best salt water course that he has ever sculled on. The harbour has the additional advantage that if the chosen course were not suitable at any time owing to wind conditions, another course from the ITairini direction would be available. Hannan concluded by snying: "If the weather on Saturday next is on a parity with the average conditions of the past fortnight, I expect to .put tip as good a race as I have ever sculled. Of course, I am very anxious to win, as T have already challenged Goodsell, and it has been my ambition for some years to secure the world's championship title."

Darcy Hadfield stated last niglit that lie had sculled on many sheets of water in different parts of the world. The Parramatta course, at Sydney, was regarded as a very good one, but the Tauranga Harbour course was superior to it. because the local course had better shelter, and was free from bends. The race was fixed for slack water, and this would minimise all eddies and currents. There is practically a straight course from the starting point, near Mount Maunganui, to the finishing mark off the town wharf. There was only one wind which would prevent the race being held, and that would be a stiff blow from the west. Hadfield stated that he is in good form, and will be right at his best on Saturday. He expressed himself as confident of success. If he wins the race he intends to make every effort to meet Major Hoodsell, and is very hopeful of beine able to bring the title back to New Zealand. : . :