ROWING

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 86, 6 January 1926, Page 6

ROWING

(By

"Sculls.")

Training the Order of the Day. Over the holidays scry few members of the local clubs silvered their oars in the svaters of Wellington Harbour. However, this does not mean'to say that oursmea are taking things quietly. On the contrary, assiduous training and jihysical application in preparation for iorthcomim- events seem to be the order of the day whenever an opportunity presents itself. Throughout the north all eyes aro turned on the New ocaland championship regatta, svhich is to bo lield. at Dunedin on March 6. Accordin? to a writer in tho Zeulaud Herald,” Hamilton'has alrcaiy interested itself in this great event, lhe club there has just received from buns, of Putney, England, a best-and-best convertible double sculler, and a best-and-best single sculler. With the first St. Clair and Mole.y.vorth arc confident of regaining their lost title or Jjonnnion double sculling champions, while 1. St. Clair, with the new sculler, anticipates holding the title. Tme senior tour, holders of the. New Zealand champion, shin in that, division, will defend their title. Hamilton is determined to enter upon a most vigorous regatta policy, and will no efforts for success ar Dunedin.

The Oxford-Canibridgo Race. The authorities who arrange the Ox-ford-Cambridge University boat race have decided to start the race at 12.30 p.m. on March 27 next. The tune of starting is causing disappointment and dissatisfaction to thousands who flock to see the race every year. Formerly it was held in the late’ afternoon. The object of altering the time for next vear is to have the tide in favour of the crews. It has been suggested that the race should be rowed, on March 20, when the tide will permit the race to begin at 5.30 p.m., the same time as hist year. Akaroa Regatta.

The Akaroa Regatta, which was held last Saturday, was a disastrous affair. According to a southern writer, only one race was rowed, and most of the clubs suffered great loss through damage to boats. After a postponement to that day the regatta was abandoned. It was a <-ny o p tragedy for oarsmen Every boat in the second race of the day, the junior fours, swamped, and the crews and boats had to bo picked up by launches It was a most unfortunate affair altogether, for the city clubs were put to considerable expense, nnd only one crew from each shed cot on the water, or, more correctly, into it. They looked n sorrowful crowd when they were landed on tho jettv—blue nnd shivering with the cold. The coxswains especially were looking very bad. A Sydney Carnival.

The first aquatic carnival in aid of Svdnev Hoisnitftl wiH he held in the Y*** oinity of Clark Island on Janiiarv 9. The Rovnl Prince Alfred Yacht Club, Prince Edward Club. Motor Yacht Chib. Driimmovno 16ft. Skiff Club. Mosman ■Rowing Chib. Birch "rove 14H . Skiff Club Balmain Th’np-hv Club, Sydnov Flyin" Scniadron. Amateur Ouh and Woo.wici’ Amateur Club have decided co-oper-ate by holding events, fhe Boval Australian Naw is to xilace n number of events on tho programme., A 1000-pas-senger ferry steamer is being chartered for ths day.

Exciting Meloburne Raca.

In ideal weather tho thirty-fourth annual four-oared championship of Vrotoiui was rowed over a two and a nail mile course from Coode Isnand to Queen's Bridge on December 12 at Melbourne. . The raev was won by Melbourne toy half a length from Wendouree (2), and Albert Park (3). Six crews competed, including the holders of the championship, Melbourne, who for the second successive year drew tho outside. or north, station. After considerable delay, due to a fairly strong cross wind, the crews got awav to a good start. Wendouree appeared to have a slight advantage. At the entrance to the canal they were nearly a length ahead of Banks, with Melbourne lying third and University last. Rowing strongly, Jophng’s men continued to hold sway, out at the wet dock thcvwere deposed by Banks, who led them by half a length. Albert Park, favoured bv the south 'berth, were going steadily, but University had dropped practically out of tha race. At a mile and a half Banks were still in front, but were being closely attended bv Wendouree ana Albert Pars. A little farther on Albert Park, in the sheltered water, had forged ahead, while Melbourne were onl- three-quai-ters of a length behind Banks and Wendouree. The pace was now on, and the field was getting Albert Park, Banks and , W . en^. were still locked together, but at the gasworks Wendouree had again assumed command irom Albert , r “» Melbourne had moved up to third place Banks now began to drop back, and Melbourne determinedly attacked Wendouree. At the, dry dock Joplingr® crew was still ahead, but Melbourne. having the advantage’of the turn, were aradl up with them. University, at thia b ge, had dropped out of the race. Melbourne continued to row s t - l v ol 'Sly> “n at Spencer Street were only one-thira of a length behind' Wendouree. Albert Park and Banks had dropped back Then Melbourne drew lever with betdouree. and there was a thrilling finish. Stroke by stroke they raced over the final Ml Hirds. Fifty yards from the finishing post Wendouree s stamina gave out and Melbourne won a wonderful race by nearly half a Albert Park was four lengths farther back third Time, 15min. 46see. After the race H. Schlichting,-stroke of tho winning crew, said-; “It was a hard race, but the boys responded well every time they were called upon. Their determination gave me confidence, and once out of the rough water I had no fear, though Wendouree gave us tne light of our lives.” The placed crews were:—Melbourne. 11. Schlichting 10.12 (str.), F C. Boraman 12.4 (3), E. J. Farrell 12.4 (2), T. S. Flint (10.12 (bow); Wendoree, J. E.Toplin 12.0 (str.), S. McGorm 11.6 (3), A. Hall 11.7 (2). W. R. B Toad ILO (bow)- W. N. Ricketts 11-4 (str.), H. Whitlock 12.12 (3), E. W. Cook 11.4 (2), L. C. Brittingham 11.4 (bow).