ARNST THE SCULLER.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 286, 27 August 1908, Page 7

ARNST THE SCULLER.

HIS ARRIVAL IN WELLINGTON, • ' AN INTERVIEW. ' Looking a good deal "finer" than when hawatched Webb and Tresidder showing their paces on the polished surface of the Wangauui, River in February last, and with a, recently-cultivated moustache, Dick. Arnst, ex-champion cyclist and a bidder, for the sculling supremacy of the world, stepped off the Uliraaroa yesterday ou her arrival from Sydney. Before the big modest athlete knew where he was his hands were\ grabbed by frioiids whom he knew, and others he didn't know, all honestly anxious to welcome him back to his native soil. Quite recently he rowed Harry Pearce for £100 a-sido on the Parramatta, and seems to have had little ' difficulty in disposing of his opponent. But Arnst, who has the modesty of- most big men, floes not, dismiss the race so lightly. Speaking to a Dominion representative yesterday, ho said: /'For the first mile Pearco gave me all I wanted; then I got a bit of a lead, and'it is always easier to pull .when you are in-the lead. Still, I'.don't want anything much harder than my race with Pearce. I won by about two aud a half lengths." The cablegram said three, but there is, and always will be, a difference of opinion about the distance that separates boats at the end of a sculling race. They are still arguing in Wanganui over the distance by which \Vebb beat Tresidder. Speaking about rowing matters on "the other side," A™st states that none'of the other oarsmen would "come at him," thought he would make a start with his training for the big race in December. He, therefore, broke away in the middle of the Fleet festivities, fearing that lie might fall a victim to the public hysteria, and take part in the "mafficking." -£Asked-to name'the'pick of the Australian scullers,'lie said that Fogwell w6u)d be a hard man to beat, but it would be a good go betwecji that oarsman, Thoroughgood (the champion of /Australia), and Pearce—tlioj were all in the same class. What are the prospects of the Webb race? "It ought to be a good sporting race. Webb might know more about the finer points of sculling—l'm only a youngster, at tht came —but I think I'vo.gdt a fighting chaiice. If lie beats me, I'll retire quito- satisfied. ■ "I've brought a boat over with nie —one built by Towns, in which I rowed Pearce— and after a visit to Christchurch, I am going to Wanganui to commence training. I'll paddle about, combining business with pleasure for a week or two. grailnajly increasing the work, and getting down to weight as tlio time approaches. I'm going to be well looked after, all right, Bob Lloyd is coming over soon to coach me, Billy Fogu'ell will come across in October to train me, and I'll have Peter Nelson as a masseur. ■ ' i "About the beginning of November we'll sill go into camp up the river for the toppingoif process." . _ Tbo oarsman states that ho got down to 13£ st., for the Pearce race, but since then—only a month ago—he has put on over a stone in weight. Ho brought his boat over uncased, arguing that if it was safely lashed under awnings ho always had it under observation, whereas if put in a case below deck it cost more freight, and it was the easiest thing in the world for a ease to be knocked about by Other cargo and the boat injured. Arnst, goes south by the Uliniaroa to-day. >'

THE CHAMPION. (BV . .TEtEOEAPn—PBESS ASSOCIATION.) Chrlstchurch, August 26. W. Webb, tho world's champion sculler. nrri\;ed from Wanganui this morning on business. Tho champion, who looks very fit and well, informed a reporter that ho is keeping himself ill condition by an occasional pull on tho river. He. will return to Wanganui in two or three weeks' timo, and mil then go into light training. . •