SCULLING.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1103, 17 April 1911, Page 5

SCULLING.

PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. TO-DAT'S RACE. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Akaroa, April 16. Everything promises well for the sculling race to-mori'ow. To-day was a day of glorious sunshine, tempered by a mild Kou'-wester, and the water was as smooth as glass. Both men went out for a final i row with their pacers this morning, but '; no serious lvork was done. ', Yesterday morning Whelch contented ■■himself with a mile and a half, paced by Westenra. He finished up the last quarter of a mile with a fast sprint, leaving Westerira very badly in the rear. Fogwell and J. Arnst just indulged in solid, steady work. Nothing was done by either of the men in the afternoon. Both of the men are in beautiful condition, Whelch turning the scales at lOst. 51b., and Foj:well at list. 21b. Whelch is thirty-one ( years of ago and Fogwcll twenty-six. ! Mr. Seifert, Fogwell's New Zealand ■ backer, arrived here yesterday. Both men are even favourites. Fogwell's form is vastly superior to that he showed here two years ago, whilst Whelch is as good, if not hotter than ever, but it is felt by many keen followers of the sport that if a hard race 'eventuates, age must in the end tell. Fogwell is in the prime of his athletic life, but after a man passes thirty he has generally passed the meridian. At any rate, judging by the. form shown in the training operations, the Tace should provide a close, hard finish, providing no accidents occur. Fogweli to-day said: "Provided the water . and .weather conditions are all right, if Whelch beats me, I shall not trouble him again, as I shall then know he is. the better man." The night for paying over the stakes has been postponed from Monday till Tuesday. Another large crowd of visitors arrived by the Cygnet this afternoon, and the town is now crowded to suffocation point. Tho Koon'ya also arrived this morning to act as tender to the excurBion boat, which arrives to-morrow. It is very improbable, however, that those aboard the excursion steamer will have an opportunity of witnessing tho race, as it docs not eventuate till four o'clock in the afternoon.