PEARCE WINS.

Auckland Star, 2 September 1933, Page 9

PEARCE WINS.

SCULLING TITLE. WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Australian Beats Phelps at Toronto. QUARTER-MILE LEAD. (United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 12 noon.) TORONTO, September 1. Bob Pearce, the Olympic champion, now turned professional, defeated Ted Phelps (England) in their match for the world's sculling championship, which was held by Phelps. Pearce gained the lead early, increased it throughout the race, and finished approximately a quarter of a mile ahead of Phelps. Pearce's time was 19.26. Phelps finished one minute 10 seconds later. The race was over a three-mile course inside Lake Ontario breakwater on the Canadian National Exhibition waterfront. Pearce Takes the Lead. Amidst the roars of hundreds of thousands of people crowding the shores of Lake Ontario, Pearce and Phelps got away at the crack of the gun just before dusk. In accordance with his promise tho Australian shot out ahead. Phelps caught up alongside, but he did not threaten then. Shortly afterwards Pearce again took the lead, but did not make any effort to get into a better lane, which was allowable, and which it was expected he would do. Pearce gradually opened up a lead of three lengths during the first leg of the race, which was a little over a mile. Both were rowing well within themselves, although it appeared that the title-holder had slightly the more in reserve than Pearce, who was sculling an extremely strong oar. At the first turn Phelps made a , sligthly better turn, apparently pivoting his boat on the buoy with great skill. It was expected that Phelps might begin to open up upon passing the grandstand, but he held about his own, or perhaps even dropped off a little. He was now 3£ lengths behind the Australian. The water conditions were ideal, there being only a slight breeze, which barely rippled the water. As the rowers passed by the steamer Dalhousie City, which was lying just outside the breakwater which, with the seawall, marked the course, a tremendous shout rose from the Hamilton contingent, for* Pearce's victory was indicated only too clearly. There was little jockeying. Both scullers maintained an even pace. Pearce, around the second buoy, and turning up the home stretch, still maintained his lead.

Australian Leaps Ahead. At that point came a tremendous effort by both contenders. Phelps increased his stroke in a desperate effort to overtake the Australian, but the latter simply leaped ahead, seemingly lifting his shell almost out of the water. Yards and yards of open water now opened up between the rowers, and the Englishman was seen to be very badly beaten. Pearce finished from 400 to 440 yards ahead. The Australian, immediately after passing the finishing mark, drew his feet out of his shell into the water, and rested on his arms, head in hands. When Phelps ultimately drew up alongside Pearce extended an arm and the meh shook hands, amidst the plaudits of the crowd. The Toronto "Globe's" sporting editor commented: "The race was a real walkaway by Pearce. Thus another Australian assumes the mantle held in previous years by other of his countrymen."

H. R. (Bob) Pearce is a son of Harry Pearce, an old Australian champion. Soon after winning the single sculls at the Olympic Games at Amsterdam in 1928, Pearce went to live in Canada. He represented that country in 1931 when he .won the Diamond Sculls at Henley (1 milo 550 yards) in 10.38. At the 1032 Olympiad he beat the United States champion, Miller, thereby retaining his world amateur title, subsequent to which he again defeated the American for the Philadelphia Gold Vase. Pearco then had nothing before him in amateur sculling competition, and when approached a few months ago he agreed to row Phelps for the professional title, eventually signing a contract on July 17, the winner to,, receive £1000. Pearce was guaranteed £500 regardless of the result. . He is employed in Toronto, and recently the rowing authorities made a fuss about his intention of turning professional. His employer stated, however, that the matter was not one which would affect him in his employment.

Plielps Las lield the title since May, 1930, when he defeated H. A. Barry at Vancouver. He again won decisively from Barry in the same year. On the occasion of his first win Phelps was appointed a Royal Waterman, an honour also held by liis father, "Bossy" Phelps, a well-known sculler, and E. Barry, champion before the war and in 1920. This is a notable tribute, as the Royal Watermen are held in readiness to form a crew if the King desires to travel on the Thames. Phelps at one time trained Pearce. Previous veinners of the world's sculling championship since the war are:— 1919 —A. Felton (Australia) defeated E. Barry (England). 1920 —E. Barry defeated A. Felton. 1 1921 —R. Arnst (New Zealand) defeated P. Hannan (New Zealand). 1922 —D. Hadiield (New Zealand) defeated R. Arnst. 1922 —J. Paddon (Australia) defeated D. Hadfield. 1923 —J. Paddon defeated D. Hadfield. 1924 —J. Paddon defeated A. Felton and Major Goodsell (Australia). 1925—Major Goodsell defeated J. P. Hannan (New Zealand) and J. Paddon. 1920 —Major Goodsell defeated T. Saul. 1927 —Major Goodsell defeated H. A. Barry (England). 1927— H. A. Barry defeated Major Goodsell. 1930, May—E. A. Phelps (England) defeated H. A. Barry. 1930, October —E. A. Phelps defeated H. A. Barry. 1932, September—E. A. Phelps defeated Major Goodsell.