SCULLING

Evening Star, Issue 18334, 23 July 1923, Page 5

SCULLING

?ADDON RETAINS CHAMPIONSHIP. WINS ALL THE WAY. HADFIFLD FLOUNDERS BADLY. SYDNEY, July 22. An unprecedented crowd lined the bank of tho Richmond River near the finishing post to witness tho world’s sculling championship between Pad don (Australia) and Hadflcld (New Zealand). Nondescript conveyances came from all directions, some from as far as Queensland, and presented a motley spectacle. Tho weather was fine, with a strong south-west breeze, and tho tide was at tho flood. Paddon weighed 14st 21b and Hadfield 12st 71b. Both moved off from an excellent start. Hadfield rowed thirty-three to the minute and Paddon thirty-five. Tho latter immediately went to the front and led by half a length at 50yds. The champion was rowing freely, but the New Zealander was disturbed by the choppy water. When three-quarters of a mile had been traversed Hadfield endeavored to overtake Paddon, hut the latter drew in front of the visitor and gave him his wash. Tire New Zealander several times floundered badly in the rough water, and on one occasion lost half a length when rough water reached him.

Passing tho mile Paddon rowed forty and Had’field forty-five, with three lengths separating them/ The latter at halfway pulled towards tho centre of the course to avoid Paddon’s wash, but the champion also palled over. It was noticed that Had Cold missed with his right several times, and from thence to the finish he relied mainly on his left.

At two and a-quarter miles Paddon increased his lend to ten lengths, bat tho New Zealander,-striking smooth water, threatened to creep up on the champion. Pounding the bend of the river the visitor again encountered rough, open water, and the boat rocked like a matchbox in midocean. The champion did not experience the same difficulty, as he knew the vagaries of tho river, and allowed his boat to ride the water.

Hadficld pluckily made a final effort to overhaul his opponent nearing tho finish, and reduced tho lead to six lengths entering the straight. The crowd cheered vrhen they saw Paddon leading. The champion clapped on pace and won by twelve lengths in 19min 19sec. Both men were wildly cheered by tho spectators. Paddon said it was a. harder race than the Wanganui one. ILadfield was at a disadvantage on account of the rough water, but ho rowed a game race. Hadfiold admitted that Paddon was the better man. By bad luck he got into rough water. If asked to practise on it lie would have refused.

The published reports vary greatly regarding the number of lengths of Pnddon’s win, ranging from six to twelve lengths.

A ONE-MAN PACE,

SYDNEY, July 23, (Received July 23, at 10.50 a.m.)

With tho official pronouncement si ill wanting, five different estimates of tho length of Paridon’s win have been circulated. The ‘ Herald ’ makes it nine lengths, and tho ‘ Telegraph ' six. After tho raco the umpire (Mr W. Boach) said it was a one-man race. Paddon was never extended. Ho declared the course a good one. Hadfield described Pncldon ns tho fastest sculler in tlio world. GOODSELL BEATS SHARPE. Major Goodsoll heat Sharpe (Hadfield’s pacer) by half a length for £IOO a side. Tho pair kept together for the greater part of tho journey. A quarter of a iniio from the finish GoodseU had a length to spare, but tho New Zealander in a fine spurt gradually reduced the margin by half.