CHAMPIONSHIP REGATTA

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 149, 21 March 1927, Page 12

CHAMPIONSHIP REGATTA

OTAGO RETAIN SENIOR FOURS TITLE AUSTRALIAN CREW’S POOR SHOWING The picturesque and sheltered cove at Picton in Queen Charlotte Sound—the scene of many a stirring contest for Dominion rowing and sculling honours —was once again the meeting place of the country’s best oarsmen for the New Zealand championships on Saturday. Clubs throughout the Dominion were represented, while the appearance of the Wendouree senior four from Victoria gave the regatta an Australasian interest. The greatest event of the day was the championship fours, Avon by Otago, the overseas crew being unable to do better than obtain fourth place. _ The morning broke fine but dull, and events were decided under satisfactory conditions, of weather, Avind, and tide, although the Avater Avas a trifle “lumpy” at times during the late afternoon.

Two championships go io each island —the fours and pairs to the south, and the double and single sculls to the north. Otago retains the senior four title, while Hamilton loses the champion pairs to Wairau. The AVaitemata representative, AV. A. Stevenson, retains the single sculling title, and Hamilton takes the double sculling championship from Waitemata. The regatta drew a large crowd to the water’s edge, while the various events were watched by many exoarsmen from different parts ot the Dominion, whoso connection with the sport is now on the administrative side. The classic event on the programme was the champion fours, of two miles, the winners being the Otago crew, stroK. etl by F. Brough, who retained the title of New Zealand’s champion tour, lha crew recently represented th© Donimion at tho Henley on Yarra regatta, whore they competed wit.i marked success ngainst the premier oarsman of thu various States of tho Commonwealth, winning the Stewards’ Challenge Cup in the senior fours. It was generally expected that tho Otago four would retain the blue ribbon of New Zealand amateur rowing, the crew’s victory, as was tho case last year, being duo to their splendid physical condition. The crew spent a week in the Sounds before the regatta, but several weeks before coming north they cut themselves away from the allurements of city hfo and set up a camp at Macandrew’s Bay. They rowed to and from their employment: in tho city, and out of the boat indulged in hill climbing and tramps. An infinitely better showing was expected of the Wendouree crew. There wero eight starters in the race, and tho Victorians drew the inside position while, tho two mile course being straight, all crews were on tho same footing. AVendoureo could not reproduce the form they displayed at the AVellington Regatta a week ago, • . , The champion pairs, tho only event in which Canterbury took part, was declared "no race," owing to interference by a passenger launch plying for hire, which cut in in front of Hamilton and hampered their progress. The judge did not stop the race, although the interference took place shortly after the start, but allowed the crews to row over the course, making his announcement after the race. All the crews finished, AVairau getting home first, with Hamilton second. Going ashore following tho "no race,” the Canterbury boat was damaged by the Otago boat. Canterbury, who intended competing in the champion double sculls, borrowed a boat for the event, but were unable fo fit the riggers and thus did not appear. The rerow of the champion pairs took place after th? last event on the programme about 5 p.m., the competing crews being Canterbury, AVairau, and two Hamilton crews. Otago, who took part in the "no race,” did not appear in the rerow, having lent their boat to Canterbury and neither did Blenheim race the second time. AVairau proved conclusively that they were tho best pair of.tho day, for they had an easy win in the “no race,” and were equally as successful in the re-row. Tho splendid course steered bv AVairau also meant a good deal to them. The Hamilton crew, G. St. Clair and AV. Bayly, were again in second place. Tn the champion double sculls there were onlv two starters, the other entrant. Canterbury, not taking part. Tho Hamilton scullers. I. AV. St. Clair and C. D. Afolesworth, avenged their defeat by AVaitemata at Picton in 1925 and again last year, by winning fairly comfortably, irregular steering lost AVaitemata a rood deaf of ground, but it is very unlikely that it would have affected the result. His win in the sculling championship earns W. A. Stevenson the honour of winning the title for the fourth time. Tie first won nt Bluff in 1923, and nt Picton the following year, but was defeated hv St. Clair, of Hamilton, in 19’5. He regained the title from St. Clair at Dunedin Inst vcnr. and again on Saturday had little difficulty in again defeating the Hamilton representative. The prize money was distributed as follows: Otnvo. .£4O: AVnitemata. <£’3; Star, £27: Picton. £24: Hamilton. £l7: AVairau. £l7: Union, £l6; Petone, £3; AVendouree. £3. The vaults are ns follow: CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS CHAMPION FOURS. Two miles. Hast vear’s chamnion: Otago Rowing Club.) Otano—F. Brough (str.). J. Werges (3), C. J. McAra (2), P. S. Anderson (bow). R. TTook (cox) 1 AVaitemata—T. Johnson (str.), L. E. Brooker (3). N. Doubleday (2), D. Smith (bow). T. Organ (cox) ... 2 Union —C. A. Healey (str.), Al. Galbraith (3). O. Moss (2), K. Kruse (bow), J. Foster (cox) 3

AVendouree—J. R. Jopling (str.), AV. B. Todd (3), G. Hutchens (2), R. Merriman (cox) 4 Also started: Hamilton Rowing Club, AVairau Rowing Club (two crews), Picton Rowing Club. Wendouree and Otago both shot out to the front at the start, the former crow rowing at 39 strokes to the minute and the latter at 40 to the minute. They were closely followed by Picton and Waitemata, ’ who raced ’ together. When half a mile had been covered Otago were out iu front going well, but at the mile peg they had dropperl back slightly and AVaitemata were in the lead. Otago were now rowing at 33 strokes per minute and Waitemata at 32. The other crews were bunched, together about three lengths further buck. Although Hamilton came up well at the finish they, in company with the two Wairau crows, wero never really in tho picture, while AVendouree commenced to Jose ground when half the distance had been covered. Union rowed well over tho last half-mile, going up to secure third place. Over the last 100yds. Otago again obtained the advantage, tho last lap providing a stirring finish between Otago and AVaitemata.. The former crew, however, gained the title, by a canvas, while a length separated AVaitemata from Union. AVendouree wero about two lengths juithcr back in fourth place. Hamilton was fifth, Wairau Nos. 1 and 2 sixth and seventh respectively, with Pieton last. Time, llinin. 40see. CHAMPION PAIRS. Uno mile and a half. (Last year's champion : Hamilton Rowing Club.) Wairau—AAL E. Gibbons (str.), C. Saunders (bow) 1 Hamilton No. I—G. St. Clair (str.), AV. Bayly (bow) 2 Canterbury—F. H. Brown (str.), F. G. Oborn (bow) ; 3 Also started; Hamilton No. 2. Canterbury, who wore rowing in tho Otago pair boat, led at first, but after the quartcr-mile peg had been passed AVairau forged ahead and then contin- I tied to increase their lead over the remainder of the distance, finally winning by about six lengths. The second crew, 1 Hamilton No. 1, were four lengths ahead of Canterbury, while Hamilton No. 2 was hist. Tho splendid course steered by I Wairau was a feature of tho lace, while, on . tho other hand, irregular steering lost Canterbury a good deal of ground, although using a strange boat would necessarily contribute towards this. Time, 9min. 30 ‘Lssec. CHAMPION DOUBLE SCULLS. Ono mile and a half. (Last year’s champion: Waitemata Rowing Club.) Hamilton—l. AV. St. Clair (str.), C. D. Molesworth (how) 1 Waitemata —W. A. Stevenson .(str.), D. Smith (bow). Waitemata and Hamilton were the only starters, the other entrant, Canterbury, not competing owing to damage to their boat. Waitemata ‘ broke at the post, but ultimately got away to a good start. They led in the early part of tho race, but gradually were overtaken by Hamilton, who sculled beautifully, going on to win by about two ledgths. Over the last hilf mile AVatemata steered an irregular course and consequently lost ground, but without being handicapped in this way it is doubtful whether they could have won the race. Time, 9min. 34-sec. CHAMPION SINGLE SCULLS. Ono mile and a half. (Last year’s champion : AV. A. Stevenson, Waitemata.) Waitemata—W. A. Stevenson I Hamilton No. I—l.1 —I. AV. St. Clair ... 2 Pieton—C. Tarrant ; 3 Hamilton No. 2 —C. D. Afolesworth 4 St. Clair commenced with a stroke of 35 to the minute and at the mile peg was well clear of the field, while Tarrant, stroking at 39 to the minute, was up in second place, gradually drawing up to within a canvas of St. Clair. AVith half a mile to go Stevenson quickly moved towards the front, to win easily by nearly three lengths, with a similar distance between St. Clair and Tarrant. The other .Hamilton representative rowed in fourth place all through the race. Time, 9min. 27 3-ssec. AIAIDEN FOURS. One mile. Star—D. Brooker (str.). F. Mullins (3), F. Crease (2). L. Shotlander (bow) 1 Blenheim —C. Hadfield (str.), A. Boyce (3), A. Jarvis (2), A’. «*lennio (bow), P. Isherwood (cox) 2 Union —E. Bridger (str,), R. Cutelli (3), R, Edwards (2), C. Aitken (bow) 3 Also started : Pieton Rowing Club. Union led the field, followed by Star and Blenheim. Picton did not eppenr to have any chance from the outset. At the half-mile peg Star had the lead, with Union and Blenheim following, this

position remaining unchanged. Star, who lowed a steady stroke of 32 to the minute throughout, finished first, with half a length to spare, there being a similar distance between second and third. Timo, Ginin. 2 4-ssec. JUNIOR PAIRS. One Mile. AVairau—C Sutherland (str.), C. I’atchett (how), 11. Gosling (cox) 1 Star—G. Cooke (str.), G. Williams (bow) 2 Picton—C. Aldridge (str.), C. Boese (bow) 3 Also started: Blenheim No. 1, Blenheim No. 2. Star shot to the front and led for three-quarters of a mile, when they were overtaken by AVairau, who won by 3ft. after an exciting finish. Picton were two lengths further back in third position. AVairau commenced at a stroke of 40 to tho minute and finished at 33, while Star rowed a fairly regular stroke of 33 throughout. Blenheim No. 1 was fourth and Blenheim No. 2 fifth. Time, Gmin. 46sec. LIGHTWEIGHT MAIDEN FOURS. One Afile. Picton—L. Peek (str.), C. Olsson (3), C. Peek (2), R. Lane (bow),, V, . I’erauo (cox) 1 Blenheim—S. Phillips (str.), H. Bright (3), R, Ballingall (2) K. I’atchett (bow), L. Gibson (cox; ■ 2 Wellington—T. Carter (str.), A. Herd (3), AV. Carter (2), N. Holland (bow) 3 Also started: AVairau Rowing Club. Picton snatched a length ahead at tho start, but after a short distance had been covered Blenheim picked up, and in company with AVellington the three crews raced neck and neck. At tae halfway mark Blenheim, rowing 35 strokes to Picton’s 33, were still racing ~ together, with Wellington a little behind them. Three hundred yards from the finish Picton obtained a small lead and went on to win by two lengths, with three lengths between second and third Time, Gmin. 12sec. JUNIOR FOURS. One mile. Picton—L. Jackson (str.), J. Heberley (3), C. Aldridge (2), C. Boese (bow), V. Perano (cox) j Petone—A. Jones (str.), R. Camerson (3), T. SI inn (2), R. Duncan (bow) 2 Wairau —C. Sutherland (str.), C. Patchett (3), J. Rutledge (2). IT. Rutledge (liow), AV. Jacobs (cox) 3 Also started: Blenheim Rowing Club. Petone and Wairau were tho first to show up. Petone wero stroking 37 per minute, Picton 39, and AVairau and Blenheim both stroking 34. At tho mile Petone led from AVairau by half a length, with Picton close up. AVith half a mile to go Petone, Picton, and Wairau, were level the three crows stroking 32. The last quarter resolved itself into a struggle between Petone and AVairau, the former winning by half a length. AVairau were two lengths further back in third place. Time, 9rain. 3 2-ssec. YOUTHS’ FOURS. One mile. Star—D. Tl. Gray (str.), J. Platts-Mills (3), R. Comerford (2), S. Rees (bow) 1 Picton—P, Brunsell (str.), B. Wilson (3), F. AViesc (2), J. France (bow), A'. Perano (cox) 2 Union—R. Edwards (str.), R. Cutelli (3), R. 11. Burson (2), 11. Earles (bow), .1. Foster (cox) 3 Also started: AVairau and Blenheim Rowing Clubs. Crews went away to a fairly even start. Early in the race Star went ahead promisingly, followed by Wairau. Star were never seriously challenged and they maintained their lead to obtain a comfortable win. by two and a half lengths, leaving the remainder of the field to fight it out for second and third pdices. Time. Gmin. Isec. MAIDEN PAIRS. One mile. Star—R. Brooker (str.), F. Mullins (how) 1 Blenheim No. 2—C. Hadfield (str.), V. Glennie (bow), E. Gobson (cox) ... 2 Wairau—J. Rutledge (str.), S. Thomas (bow), R. Gosling (cox) 3 Also started: Blenheim No, 1, Picton, and Union Rowing Clubs. The No. 2 Blenheim crew led away from AVairau and Star, with Blenheim No. 2 gradually falling back. After half a mile had been covered, Star, rowing a longer stroke, wore down their river .opponent and won easily by two lengths, apparently with any amount in reserve. Time, Gmin. 47 2-ssec. MARLBORO’ PLATE. One mile and a half. Union —C. A. Healey (str.), M. Galbraith (3), A. Moss (2), AV. Kruse (bow), J. Foster (cox) 1 AVendouree —J. R. Jopling (str.), W. R. B. Todd (3), G. Hutchens (2), R. S. Merriman (bow) 2 Waitemata —T, Johnson (str.), L. E. Brooker (3), N. Doubleday (2), D. Smith (bow), T. Organ (cox) _ 3 Also started: Wairau and Blenheim Rowing Clubs. From the start Wendouree shot out to the front, apparently determined to avenge their defeat in tho champion pairs. Although at one part of the race they had a lead of nearly five lengths, the concluding stages found them out, and they had to be content with a second place. Wendouree started to stroke at 39, and led tho field to within 200 yards from home. They were then gradually overhauled by Union, who finished in splendid style by a margin of half a length. AVaitemata in third place commenced to stroke at 40, and over the last lap was doing 34. Time, Smin. 54 4-ssec.