Rower’s Sights Set On Henley

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30445, 20 May 1964, Page 19

Rower’s Sights Set On Henley

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, May 19. M. P. Watkinson’s hopes of winning the Diamond Sculls at the Royal Henley Regatta in July have risen greatly fol-, lowing a brilliant 2000 metres time trial of 7min 16sec at Lake Karapiro.

This cut by LOsec the New Zealand Rowing Association’s standard set as a gtiide for Olympic selection.

Also, it easily bettered Watkinson’s time of 7min 35.45ec set at the priority trial over the same course at Easter.

The Aucklander may have his chance to riieet the best in Europe as his name has been tentatively entered for the European championships, which will take place in August at Amsterdam. In the meantime Watkinson, and T. Reid and D. Molesworth, of Whakatane, winners of the national pair-oar and double sculls for the last two years, have been training solidly in readiness for their trip to England on June 5. The Whakatane pair have beaten the double sculls standard of 6min 51sec in a recent test. Funds totalling £2400 are needed to send the party overseas, but with more than a fortnight to go, nearly half that amount has been collected. The oarsmen will have their major preliminary event before Henley at the Marlow Regatta on June 20. Henley will begin on July 1 and end four days later.