SCULLING.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXV, Issue 590, 15 December 1908, Page 5

SCULLING.

WEBB V. ARNST. THE WORLD'S CHAMPIONSHIP. TO-DAYS' GREAT CONTEST. On tho championship course of the Wanganui River to-day " Wiri" Webb, the world's champion sculler, will do battle with "Dick" Arnst, the man who, accordiing to tho veteran sculler Beach, is the coming holder of championship honours. The pretty little river side city is packed with visitors from all parts of New Zealand, besides a large contingent from Australia and from North and South special trains arrived there this morning bringing their load of enthusiasts. For the first time iu tho history of sculling the championship is being contested by two New Ztalanders, representatives of both islands. This fact robs the race of tho extreme interest given to the two previous big races won by Webb, as nothing gives the New Zealander keener joy than to 6ee one of his countrymen defeat a visiting foe. On tho other hand, however, tho Tresidder-Webb contest was between a man whose power was waning, and ono who was in tho heyday of youth and strength, while to-day youth will meet youth. THE MEN AND TIIEIP. « RECORDS. Of the two men it is generally admitted that Arnst is the more powerful, and the difference in weight when thoy step into their respective boats will be nearly 2 stone, Arnst racing at a pound or so over 13st and Webb at about 11.5. Both have records as athletes, but while Webb is famous only as a sculler, the challenger has won laurels on the cyclo track, and only took up river work about 3 yeais ago. During that three years, however, he has gained much experience, mostly in New South Wales, where ho has won numerous races, the most important of which was his victory over Harry Pearce, when Beach who acted as umpire on that occasion prophesied that lie was tho coming man.

WEBB OF WANGANUI

Tho man who sent Wanganui mad last year, and incidentally brought world wide fame to the rivor town, was born at Lyttleton some thirty years since, but during the serious years of his life has lived at Wanganui which town he has adopted as his own. He learnt to scull on the wide reaches of the Wanganui rivoi, in tho intervals of hard graft in an engineering workshop. Webb is the ideal professional sport who places honour and glory before the commercial side. He is very quiet and modest, and always takes the same size in liats whether he wins or loses. Ho uses his brain both in training and racing, and has won his races by his skill as an scuiler rather than by actual bodily strength. In the thirteen years of his racing career lie has won 21 races out of about 30 starts. Tho following is his record 189(5.— First Maiden Pairs, at Akaroa; second, Double Sculls, at Akaroa; first, Maiden Pairs, at Little River; uuplaced, Youth Pairs and Double Sculls, at Christchuoh Regatta. 1897.—First, Junior Fours, at Wanganui. 1898.—Second, Junior Fours, at Wellington; second, junior Fours, at Pictou ; second, Senior Fours, at Picton. 1900.—First Maiden Double Sculls, at Wanganui; second, junior Fours, at Wanganui; uuplaced. Senior Fours, at Wanganui. 1902.—First Championship Single Soulls, at Wanganui; first, Senior Single Sculls, at Wellington. 1904.—First, Senior Single Sculls, at Wellington; first, Senior Fours, at Wellington; first Senior Fours (best boats), at Wanganui. 1905. — Second, Championship Sculls, at Wellington; first, Championship Double Sculls, at Wellington; first, Senior Singles, at Wanganui; first, Senior Clinker Fours, at Wanganui; first, Senior Fours (best boats) at Wanganui.

11)00.— First, Champion Siugles, at Pictou: first, Champion Doubles, at Pictou; first, Senior Fours, at Waitara; first, Senior Sugles, at Wangauui; second, Senor Fours, at Wangauui; and defeated James Stanbury for the Championship of Now Zealand. 1907.— Defeated Charles Towns for the Championship of the World. 1908. —- Defeated R. Tresidder for the Championship of the World. ABOUT ARNST. Contjary to his opponent, the hope of Arnst lies in his strength and power, and his weak spot i 3 inexperience. The supporters of the champion recognise his superior strength, but their hope lies in their man's consummate skill. Arnst has defeated S. Kemp, son of ex-champion P. Kemp, twice ; also Charlie Towns, and in August last won a match for £300 a-side against Harry Pearce. THE TALE THE TIMES TELL. The following times have been registered by the two men over the Parramatta course :— Webb, 1 mile, omin. 40secs. ; 2 miles, llmin. o2secs. ; and full distance, 20min. 28secs. Arnst, 1 mile, smin. 41secs. ; 2 miles, llmin. sosecs. ; and full distance, 20min. SOsecs. PAST CHAMPIONS. The following is a list of previous holders of tho Championship since 1890:— 1890— J. M'Lean boat P. Kemp, Parramatta, 22min 31sec. 1891— J. Stanbury beat J. M'Lean, Parramatta, 22min 15% sec. 1891— J. Stai'bury beat J. M'Lean, Parramatta, 18min 25seo; full course not rowed. 1892— J. Stanbury beat T. Sullivan, Parramatta, ISmin ; full course not rowed. 189G—J. Stanbary beat C. Harding, Thames, 21uiin olsec. 189(i—J. Gaudaur beat J. Stanbury, Thames, 2&uin lsec. 188!)— J. Gaudaur beat R. Johnson, Yanoouver, 20min 5 4-ssec. 1901— G. Towns beat J. Gaudaur. Cauat'a, 20min 30see. 1904— G. Towns beat R. Tresidder, Parramatta, 21min 18 4-/jsec. 1905—Stanbury beat Towns, 19niin I

sd3^sec. l'Jo(j—Towns beat Stanbury, l'Jmin 4!) sec. l'JOT—Towns boat Durnan, 22min 27sec. 11)07 — Webb beat C. Towns, 20min 45sec. 15)08—Webb beat Tresidder, 20min 28sec.