ROWING.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1144, 3 June 1911, Page 12

ROWING.

EYES ON THE WORLD'S LAURELS. (By MEitcunr.). "Sweet Reasonableness" of the Big Men. This week's mail brought news from headquarters that the complications round tho forthcoming raco for tho world's sculling championship are adjusted, and that the only thing required now is the signing of the articles. This has been hung up from timo to time on account of Arhst's desiro to test his health beforo clinching matters. Tho latest news—received here on Thursday morning—was to the effect (hat he would require another week before doing so. A pleasing feature has been tho "sweet reasonableness" of tho men concerned. There has been every opportunity for that haggling and newspaper wrangling that some champions appear to consider essential, and which is so nauseating to the public, but the opportunity has not been taken advantage of. Each of tho two engaged has set his mind to the business, and a result satisfactory to all parties has been arrived at. True, Arnst has caused a little delay by his canniness over "signing on," but who can blame him? He has everything to lose, and he has only kept well within his rights in giving himself a thorough test before actually committing himself. Ho has not merely been cautious—he has been wise. The Arnst-Pearce-Fogv/ell Tangle. The latest developments are discussed by a Sydney writer thus:— "During the past week or two matters in the sculling world seemed to bo getting themselves into a nice muddle, but tho action of one of the principals has put things on a clear footing once again. "Tho muddle referred to consisted of tho bunch of races, or rather pending races, in which Arnst, Pearce, and Fogwell had got themselves mixed up. In the first place, Fogwell lodged a deposit to row Pearce for the championship of Australasia, but Pearce ignored that as far as ho could, and went on completing arrangements to row Arnst for the championship of tho world. This match was fixed up, when along comes Fogwell again, stating that ho intended to hold Pearce to the race with him, as he was first in. This put Pearce into a bit of a quandary, but his intention was to cover Fogwell's deposit at the last moment, and so secure his championship. Fogwell then said he would row Pearce for the championship of the world, if the latter beat Arnst. "In the meantime Arnst' had been carrying on negotiations with Barry for another race, in the'event of him beating Pearce. Up to this point, however, everything would have worked out all right, no matter how things went in tho racing, but when the news came from New .Zealand that Fogwell had been matched to row Barry for the championship of England trouble was seen in the distance. If ho went on with this match then he would have had to lift his deposit to row Pearce, but even then there was the fact staring him in the face that Arnst also had his eye 'on Barry, and would leave for the Old Country as soon as ho disposed of Pearce, if ho couid do so. In these circumstances Fogwell and Arnst would havo clashed in England. . "Now, however, all complications have been cleared away by Arnst withdrawing from any talk of a race with Barry till after tho race with Fogwell has been completed, consequently everything now is plain sailing. Arnst will go on with his match with Pearce, and Fogwell will go on with' his match with Barry. If Arnst beats Pearce and Barry beats Fogwell, then Fogwell will probably como back to Sydney, and go on with his challenge to Pearco for .tho championship of Australia, and Arnst will probably go lo Englaud and give Barry his desired match. "If things are reversed then wo ■ will in all probability, have Fogwell racing back to Sydney to meet Pearce for the championship of tho world. Should Arnst bent Pearce, however, and Fogwell beat Barry, then it is doubtful whether tho latter will face Arnst. Tho performance would certainly warrant it, but if ono might judge by Fogwell's remarks after he beat Whelch, ho would prefer to let matters rest as they were for a time, at any rate. "Arnst must certainly be a littlo disappointed at tho turn matters havo taken, especially when it is taken into consideration that his demands had been agreed to, and that he was to have been allowed £750 expenses; but, like the true sportsman he is, he simply stated. 'Let Billy havo a go, and I will talk to Barry afterwards if the Englishman proves too much for our man. I do not intend considering a race with Barry now till after his race with Fogwell.' Arnst Can Train and Pearce Cannot. "The past week has been a strenuous one for Arnst. He has been doing exceptionally hard work, both on land and water, and, as a result, will probably sign articles with Pearce for their match at tho end of tho week. "This delay in tho signing of tho articles has not been pleasant for Pearce. The latter thought, when he put up his HIOO deposit, that the match would bo clinched as soon as Arnst got his stake over; but it has not, and the Australian champion does not like the delay. He was under the impression that tho articles wero to bo signed last Saturday, but they were not; and. so another week of suspense has to bo borne by Pearce. It is not that tho latter doubts but that they will be signed, but he is anxious as to when the date of the race will bo fixed for. Once everything is fixed up definitely and put down in black and white, then ho will know exactly what to do; but till then he is afraid to go into solid training, and at the same timo ho is afraid to leave it too long. He has, however, taken the wisest courso, and that is 'splitting tho difference.' ~ He docs ono row each day, and a little land work, 60 ■ that ho will neither bo well trained nor in poor condition. "Arnst, on his part, is doing very hard work, indeed. Two solid rows a day and plenty of, running and walking, to say nothing of boxing and skipping, form his day's work; and he is already feeling tho benefit of it. 'No,' he said to mo yesterday, 'I have not yet signed articles, but probably I w.ill' do so at the end of the week. 1 am beginning to feel tip-top now, and am pretty sure that there is nothing wrong with me. The' work I have done would have shown out any weak spot if there had been one; so I reckon I am as good as ever now," "A Foolish Match." Of tho lesser event—the English championship—the same authority says.— "Fogwell and Barry are to proceed with their match for the sculling championship of England on Monday, September 7. This match has been the cause of some speculation in Sydney, and no small amount of trouble was anticipated from it, but everything is all right now, and tho ■ match will be proceeded with as arranged. ' From Barry's point of view tho raco with Fogwell would be more acceptable at the present time than one with Arnst, because ho has already won tho 'Sportsman's' Cup twice running, and a third win for the championship of England would make it his own personal property. A raco with Arnst would not have any influence on the cup, and there is no knowing where His next opponent for the English championship would como from. So far as Arnst is concerned, he will bo able to get him at almost any time if he beats Pearce. "Tho match, as it has been made, is a foolish ono, according to 'Dick' Arnst. So far as tho prowess of tho two men is concerned, ho thinks they are well matched, but from the financial standpoint Fogwell will bo a heavy loser. ' 'You sec,' he said, 'Fogwell "is being, allowed only .£SO expenses, and that amount will hardly cover his boat fare, let alono his training and his trainer. If ho wins ho will not bo anything in pocket, while if he loses ho will como back with a debt of about .£l5O or £200 upon him. How it is he has accepted theso arrangements I don't know, but if they aro carried out as I understand them, he will bo a heavy loser over the raco whichever way it goes. It may bo that his backer has made somo arrangements to meet this, or to relievo Fogwell of all expense, I have not heard of them if ho has.' "Fogwell will probably leavo bv tho Runic on Juno 7. That, at least, "is his present arrangement. It is understood that ho will take Jack Arnst with him as trainer, whilo Harry Floyd might also take a trip across,

"Fogwell is in Sydney again now, and looks splendid. Ho states that ho was never rowing better than ho is at the present time, and that is why ho wants to get across to England as soon as he can. Ho believes in the adage, 'Make hay whilo the sun shines.' If ho gets as well as ho has Ireen lately, then ho does not doubt the result. Ho thinks ho will be a winner. Ho is determined, however, to take no risks, ami do the best of what he is capable all through. Ho will train very carefully, and if possible go to the mark as well as ho was when ho beat Whelch. Mr. Joo Andreoli, ono of the best-known, men in Sydney sculling circle 5 , has written to Jim Field in London to do all he can to assist Fogwell, so that the Australian will have everything prepared for him when ho reaches the Thames."

To-day on the Parramatta championship courso Hagney and Felton, both known personally on this sido through tho Foxton and Wanganui Handicaps, will settle their discussion as to which is the better man.