CHAMPIONSHIP REGATTA

Evening Star, Issue 26028, 17 February 1947, Page 5

CHAMPIONSHIP REGATTA

PETONE TAKES THE HONOURS»

THREE NATIONAL TITLES UNPLEASANT AND DIFFICULT CONDITIONS (special.) BLENHEIM, Eeb. lb. Alter shocking weather on baturuay, wnen between rain ana tierce gusts ot wind it was possible to row oniy throe non-ehamptouship events out oi a lull programme of 12 races, the 11140 47 New Zealand Chanipioiisliip Regatta was completed to-day. \\ a ter conditions were generally difficult but the course was rowable, and after delays m the morning it was possible to linisli the programme in the afternoon and early evening. The entries were an all-time record, and large fields contested some excellent racing. A feature of the day’s sport was the work of the starter, Mr A. A. Whiting, who got big fields of up to 15 crews away in fine style. The champion fours, the blue ribbon of New Zealand rowing, was well won by Petone, who had a decisive victory. The crew was later presented with the famous “ Boss Booster ” by Mr R. Cashman, who had himself made it at Picton exactly 50 years ago. Mr Cashman also presented Petone with the Hallyburton-Johnstone Cup. Petone had a second win when P. Abbott, who won the singles championship at Wanganui last season, romped home to retain his title. The expected duel between Abbott and It. B. Smith (Auckland), who has been six times New Zealand champion, did not eventuate, J. Schneider (Aramoho) beating him for second place. A championship changed hands when Aramoho, splendidly stroked by E. Johnson, beat the former champions, Auckland, in the champion eights. A fine example of watermanship was given by two river men in E. and G. Lindstrom (Avon), the 1946 pair oar champions. Starting in the roughest water of the day they shot out at the start and, gradually increased thenlead to retain their title by a walkaway margin of seven lengths. It was the ‘only title -to go to a South Island club.

A New Zealand record went by the board when Abbott and Jonassen retained their title in the double sculls and gave the Pet'one Club its third championship. Abbott has now figured in six winning doubles crews, beating the record of Jackson and Traill (Wanganui) and McGrath (Otago) It was definitely Petone’s day with three titles, and was a bleak occasion for the Wellington and Dunedin crews, who lost the only

titles they were defending

The new • champions are :— Single sculls, Petone; fours, Petone; eights, Aranioho; doubles, Petone; pairs, Avoii.

The results of the championship events were as follows:

Single Sculls.—Petone (P. Abbott) I,‘ Aramoho (Schneider) 2, Auckland (It. B. Smith) 3. Won by a length, second three feet away. Time, 9min 34.1-ssec. Scratched: Petone No. 2.

Champion Fours.—Petone (Carter, Greenstreet, Muller, Booth) 1, Aramoho 2, North End 3. Won by three lengths, third a canvas away. Time, Bmin 6 4-ssec. Scratched: West End,. Port Chalmers No. 2, Star. Champion Eights.—Aramoho (Johnson, Preater, O’Brien, Clark, Simonson. Brown, James, Morrison) 1, Auckland 2, Petone 3. Won by two lengths, third half a length away. Time. 7min 56 l-ssec. 'Scratched: Union (Christchurch) . Champion Double Sculls. Petone (Abbott and Jonassen) 1, Union (Wanganui) 2, Wellington 3. Won by two lengths, third two lengths away. Time. 9min 27sec. Scratched: Avon. Champion Pairs. —Avon (E. Lindstrom, G. Lindstrom) 1. Union , (Wanganui) 2. Petone 3. Mon by seven lengths, third a length and a-half away. Time. 9min 49 l-osec. Scratched: Union (Christchurch) and Aramoho.