The World’s Title

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XII, Issue 18, 4 January 1922, Page 4

The World’s Title

SCULLINC CHAMPIONSHIP. INCREASING INTEREST IN THURSDAY’S CONTEST. CLAIMS OF RIVAL CHALLENGERS With the pasing of the Christmas and New Year holidays, with their plentitude of sporting events, the question of the moment among sportsmen is, “Who will win the sending championship on the Wanganui river on Thursday?” Advices from Wanganui indicate that both the competitors—Richard Arnst. the holder of the world’s title, and Darcy Hadfield, the challenger—are both trained to the moment, and hosts of supporters give each the warmest chances of success. They have been regularly on the course, and the champion has latterly devoted himself exclusively to sculling, having disposed of the exercises, such as walking and climbing, on which he depended to reduce himself to his racing weight. During the past three months he has brought himself down by hard work to 13st. 61b., and he states that he will take to the water with all his old-time confidence at that weight. Hadfield is expected to row about a stone lighter. CHANCES OF VICTORY. A sculling authority stated to a representative of the New Zealand “Times” that he fully expected the challenger to win the contest on Thursday. hen age and youth came together when Webb met Arnst, he said, the verdict was in favour of youth. Arnst, he considers, is under a big handicap to have to undergo weight-reducing in order to fit himself for the race; on the other hand, Hadfield has the advantage of being a dozen years his junior. Man for man, the authority quoted states that Hadfield is points the better of the two in the actual science of sculling, but lacks the force of physical power of the champion. Arnst’s supporters do not coincide with this view. That he will make a break for the lead at the start, and endeavour to hold the strategic command of the race is the burden of their comment. In this manoeuvre he was strikingly successful in the race with Patrick Hannan on the Wairau in the winter, although Hannan on that occasion lost a good deal of river way by faulty direction. AGE AND YOUTH IN CONFLICT. An old sculling general thus expressed himself to a sporting writer in vVanganui who has been in close touch with the contestants in their training:—“it is going to be the case of man for man. The man who is fittest and can hold his opponent until the last mile and then quicken up, and bring into action ail the reserve power available for sprinting over the last section of the river to the winningpost is the man who is going to cross the line first.” The moral pointed by this non-committal prophecy is that it is a case of age and professional experience represented by Dick Arnst, against a younger manhood, full of vitalising power, with good amateur experience, as represented by Darcy Hafield. TICKETS AT £2 EACH.

Wanganui is reported to be filling with visitors, and it is expected that accommodation will be at a premium. The committee controlling the race have been given the free use of the paddocks and hill lands bordering the course. A charge is being made, of 2/- lor and 1/- for children. There has already been a big demand for steamer tickets, up to £2 each, to follow the race. The arrangements for the race are in the hands of a sculling executive, with Mr. C. G. Young as honorary secretary.

A DOUBLE CLAIM. HANNAN OR PADDON? The Sydney “Referee” reprints a paragraph referring to the intention of Dick Arnst to give the first race to Hannan should he win the match against Hadfield. The Sydney papers comment adversely on the decision of the champion, and say that James Paddon, champion of Australia, should have first claim. THE VIEWS OF PADDON. The champion of Australia, James Paddon, voices his views on the subject tnusly;— “I issued, per medium of Mr. Seifert a challenge to row the winner of the Arnst-Hadlield match. I was quite in time for all purposes, and naturally expected to hear, in due course, that the winner would accept same; but you can judge of my surprise when I read a statement from Arnst to the effect that should he be returned the winner of that match, he had decided to give Hannan a return match for the title. Nothing had appeared in print, so far as I am aware, in regard to this return match with Hannan until alter my challenge appeared in print, and, under the circumstances, you will agree with me I think, when 1 assert that Arnst is doing all in his power to evade meeting me. I am holder of the Australian title, but am prevented, on every little pretext, having a chance to gain the higher title. Evidently Arnst has a vivid recollection of our last meeting on the Parramatta! I have never turned my back upon a challenger who wished to dispute my claim to be sculling champion of Australia, being prepared to take on all and sundry. One would naturally expect the holder of the higher title to adopt the same attitude, but such is apparently not the case with Arnst. However, should Hadfield be successful in the match, 1 claim the right, per my challenge, to first race with him. And, even if he should be successful against me, I am still prepared to take on Arnst, thus proving my anxiety to have a go at the present holder of the title to prove which is the better man.”

TRAINING COMPLETED. Wanganui, J' uary 3. Serious training operations for the world’s sculling championship were brought to a close Unis afternoon. Arnst covered two and a half miles very strongly. He stopped for a fewseconds alter covering a mile in order to avoid a floating log. and then went on at a solid pace and finished really well. Hadfield ariso did two and a half miles, but confined himself to leisurely rowing. He is pronounced to be in tiptop condition. To-morrow he will be taken for a motor drive into the country by his supporters. Hadfield will row at about 12st. 61b and Arnst at 13st. 91b. Both parties are verv confident. If both men are fit and well a Herculean struggle is ‘assured.