ROWING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 151, 27 June 1936, Page 20

ROWING.

JAPANESE CHALLENGE. WILL THEY WIN AT HENLEY 7 CHANGE IN AUSTRALIAN EIGHT. LONDON, June 26. English rowing critics are speculating as to whether the Japanese eight now in England will win the Grand Challenge Cup at the Henley Regatta, which will open on July 1. They point out that the Marlow course is of seven furlongs downstream, whereas the Henley course is of one and one-third miles upstream. ..Nevertheless, Dr. Seta, the Japanese coach, considers that the crew will be able to stay the distance comfortably. It is pointed out that the Japanese crew twice equalled the record when it rowed over the course against -a heavy wind, once finishing with 20 strokes in the last 22 seconds. Experts emphasise that their snub-nosed boat will always move well, even against the, wind. The "Daily Telegraph's" expert attributes the Japanese secret of pace to their boat, which was designed by Dr. Inokuchi, who has been for years experimenting in the building of racing craft, reducing the length ingeniously and lightening the oaken timbers.. The Japanese oars weight 71b, compared with the English weight of between 9141b and 10lb. * The crew's style is founded upon R. C. Lehman's book, "The Complete Oarsman," arid Fairbairn's theories are discarded as unsuitable for small men. Consequently the Japanese revive many points of the old orthodox English: school, the main difference being the alteration of the rhvthm to make possible a high rate of stroking. Dr. Seta says the crew's highest rate is 71 strokes to the minute. The "Daily Telegraph" adds: "It is amazing that the boat responds to such high rates, apparently running more smoothly the faster the crew strokes. The crew is not finely trained and lives mainly On rice. Eggs and meat are eaten for breakfast." _ A special correspondent of the Australian Associated Press in Berlin states that it has been decided to omit Elias from the Australian Olympic eight. He will be replaced »by the Sydney Rowing Club member, Dixon, who originally was selected as an emergency. Elias will row

in the pair-oar event with Turner, and either will be taken into the "eight in an emergency. The Japanese Imperial University eight won its first race in England 011 June 21, beating the Thames Rowing Club in the final of the Grand Challenge Cup at Marlow Regatta. They are a light crew, averaging only 10.5. Their lowest rate of striking at the Marlow Regatta was 40, and they often rowed 46. They were able to spurt instantaneously to 52, about 10 strokes a minute more than the heavier British crew could successfully attempt.