SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13839, 27 August 1908, Page 6

SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

ARNST V. WEBB. INTERESTING CONTEST PROMISED. [BT TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Wednesday. R. Axxsr, who has challenged W. Webb to row for the world's sculling championship, arrived by the Uliinaroa tram Sydney to-diy, and will go South to Christ-church to-morrow. The challenger, who looks tie picture of health, is as yeton the heavy side, and has not yet decided whether he will do his initial training work on the Manawatn or the Wanganui Rivei. He weighs lost, but with consistent work hopes to row at lost. Harry Floyd, who will arrive next week, will assist Webb in his training, and later on Fogwell will take him in hand. Arnst states that the Australians express regret that the forthcoming championship is to be between two New Eealanders, but there is so much interest taken in sculling now on the Island Continent that young champions or would-be champions miy be looked for in that quarter before long. Nevertheless, he thinks New Zealand will be able to retain the championship for some years to come. The general opinion here is that if Arnst Van acquire anything like the style of Webb his strength and endurance \ sho'dd land him a winner in the championship next December. The race is for £1000. ; Contrasting races on the Parramatta River, "Scull" (in the Post) says that commencing with twenty strokes to the minute Arnst passed the mile in sm. 415., two miles in 12m., and the full distance in 20m. 50s. On the other hand Webb started his boat, with 57 strokes to the minute, and reached the mile in s;u. 405., two miles in 11m. 525., the full distance j in 20m. 455. On the day of Artist's race calm and mild weather prevailed, whilst Webb had the benefit of a fair breeze and the disadvantage of a choppy sea. It is the opinion of the writer that the match now pending will resolve itself into a struggle oi superior individual strength against superior individual skill. WEBB IN CHRISTCHCRCH. [by telegraph.—-press ASSOCIATION.'] CnRisTCHHRCH, • Wednesday. W. Webb, the world's champion sculler, arrived from Wanganut this morning on business. The champion, who looks very fit and well, informed a reporter that he is keeping himself in condition by an occasional pull on the river. He will I return to Wanganui in two or three : weeks' time, and will then commence light i training.