ROWING.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1509, 3 August 1912, Page 12

ROWING.

[Br "Mercurt."] SACKCLOTH AND ASHES. Blnck Monday. Had rowing men and followers of the sport been asked to choose a costume l>efitting the occasion tho duo intelligence of tho downfall of Richard Arnst came to hand there would havo been an almost unanimous demand for sackcloth and ashes. July 29 was truly "Black Monday" in tho annals of Australasian sculling. To find an occasion even approaching tho present one it is necessary to go way back to 18S0, when Australia —Sydney particularly—was staggered by tho news that E. Trickett had been beaten on the Thames for the championship by Ed. Hanlon,

Trickett was an idol in Sydney, no less, in those days, and was considered—even as Arnst was to-day—to be unbeatable. Four years previously he had journeyed to London, even as did Arnst, to give battle to the then champion, J. H. Sadler, the Englishman, upon his own course. Trickett won, unci Sydney simply went mad. The successful sculler was presented with- a valuable corner lot and a hotel by an adoring public, as a slight indication of their feelings in the matter. During the next three years Trickett defended his title twice, defeating M. Rush and E. Laycock, and was looked upon as holding a lease in perpetuity of the title.

Meanwhile a new star had entered into tho sculling firmament—ono Ed. Hanlon, hailing from America—and tho magnitude of this luminary so increased that it soon commanded attention from Australia.. The outcome was that, in 1880, Trickett onco more sailed away to Londo.n—this time to defend his title—and, in' so doing, to quench the lustre of tho presumptions Hanlon. He failed, even as Arnst did on Monday, and a stricken Sydney gaped at the bright, blue, implacable universe, and wondered how such things could be, evon as w* did this week.

Shock Unexampled in the Rowing Annals,

Great as was this old-time surprise, and severe as was tho shock, it does-not compare with tho present one. It was perhaps more poignant, but it ires not so widespread. The disaster was entirely an Australian affair, and principally a Sydney one at that. The present one is Australasian. Moreover, it is safe to say that the ititorest in the present match was world-wide, as far as Britisher's are concerned, and it is also safe to say that,

wherever three or four Britishers had gathered' together in tho name of sport, Arnst would havo been a big favourite, and a sure tip. This for reasons that have often been set out in print, and principally, of course, because of his previous easy win on the Zambesi. To some, tho shock of surprise would be a joyous one. This was not tho case here. Certainly, there have been cases in the sporting world when public feeling has been more sorely touched in tho Dominion, one instance, of course, being the defeat of the All-Black team by Wales. In these cases, however, the prevailing feeling has been purely of a sorrowing nature. This time it was as much surprise as regret. In the other cases the other sido had been given a look-in"—they wero mostly "oven-money" chances. This case was not. ■ Even in England, apparently, the deposed champion was a warm favourite. \ In short, Monday's race was one of the biggest "boil-overs" in Australasian sport.

We Don the Sackcloth and Look for "Reasons," Last Saturday "Mercury" propounded tho question "How CAN Arnst lose ?"—and answered it wrong. It has now become, "How DID Arnst lose?" for it is significant of public attitude towards the result that no one eeoms to inquire "How did Barry win?" Excuses for the defeat thero are none. Arnst was beaten fairly and squarely, and would bo the first to admit this himself. Still, excuses apart, it is permitted to, look for reasons. And, being "wise after tho event," one seems'to find them without much trouble. In the main, judging from tho reports, they appear to be two: Firstlj', deterioration in Arnst's sculling form; secondly, tho _ over-taxing of his stamina by attempting to hurry too quickly into condition. The falling away in form is very apparent from the cabled messages. That Arnst's length should be unfavourably compared with Barry's seems almost unbeliovable to those familiar with tho methods of tho two men. One of the features of "Dick's" sculling has hitherto been his great reach and long sweeping stroke, driven home by his powerful legwork. It was just this feature that appears to havo beon missing from his display on Monday. He apparently was short in his length, and, sad to say, minus his big drive. Hence the reference to arm work at the finish. Under these conditions it would have required a very fit and well "Dick" Arnst to have won over 4J miles. Even his phenomenal strength would give out after a. short while or jerking 7J-inch blndesthrough dirty water with arm-power alone. And, apparently, ho was not' fit and well. Ho may have appeared so— he may have thought so—but (again being wise after tho event), it appears that a man cannot reduce his superfluous tissue at the rate of over a stone a month without affecting his stamina. Thero are other reasons that may bo dragged in—tho unsatisfactory staio of the water over parts of the course, for instance—but they don't count for much. They all como in tho luck of the day,

Can Richard Bo Himself Again? The lessons which Arnst has to learn from his defeat are that ho cannot play up with his condition any more than can other men, and that, like other scullers, ho cannot afford to get careless in his sculling form. What is wanted, apparently, is more work bctweoh races, a steady, careful preparation when actual training is on, and, principally, the hawkeye of a Harry Floyd or similar mentor on the boat work to correct faults as they appear. Given these conditions, together with an earnest desire to recover tho title, and wc will yet see "Richard himself again." The "Sun's" Anticipation—Laughter as j Well as Tears, j Some months ago the following appeared i in the .Sydney "Sun," and "Mercury" I stored, it up in the, hone of beinc able to

use it, at this time, as a successful forecast of tho race. Realisation, however, has not proved better than anticipation. Tho paragraph is now reprinted us possessing a melancholy interest as ouo of the things that might have- becn-.-

"Being somewhat gifted with second sight, or prophetic insight, or tho abilitv to guess well, or somo other useful quality of tho kind, wo venture to give a brief forecast of tho race. 'Dick' will land in England, and get to work on the river. His stylo of rowing will como in for more than J:500 worth of criticism in the first week. Tho difficulties of tho course, the peculiarities of the climate, the recent defeat of tho champion's brother, will all bo regarded as points in Barry's, favour. By the day of the race 'English sportsmen will have contrived to persuade themselves that there is - really very little to cliooso between tho oarsmen, and any amount of money will bo laid in support of the Englishman s chance. From a good start tho scullers will row an even race for half a mile, and thou 'Dick' will begin to draw steadily away. Tho usual procession will be witnessed, and when the champion has passed tho winning post a good quarter of a mile ahead of his opponent ho will draw two or three panting breaths to show that he was fully extended, and assure tho reporters that it was the hardest race ho ever rowed in his life. Simple person 3 who have watched 'Dick's' mighty strokes as ho drives his shell forward through the water, and have observed the labouring efforts of his rivals to catch him, have usually been heard to express the opinion that the champion could have won by about a milo if he had thought such a victory suitable to the occasion. But make no mistako about it. The' race on tho Thames will bo a hard ono, for 'Dick' Arnst will tell you so himself." -

The anticipation is correct in one respect—in the prophecy contained in tho last sentence.

Local Paragraphs. Congratulations ere due to Secretary Mathieson, of tho Wellington R.C., for his comprehensive report on the last season's working of his club. There is an optiniistio ring about the report and balance-sheet that augurs well for a good season for tho Maroon and Whites, and if tho keenness of last year is adhered to, success will certainly be deserved, and in all probability achieved. On Thursday next the members of the Star B.C. are holding ono of the most popular fixtures—the annual ball. The drainage on the rowing strength of tho S.B.C. through transfers to other centres was further instanced on Tuesday last, when T. W. Abercrombie, ono of the club s regatta oarsmen, left for Auckland. Another loss to be sustained in the near future is that of S. G. Cowles, who has received sailing orders for Qisborne.