THE SCULLING RACE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19324, 11 May 1926, Page 6

THE SCULLING RACE.

WORLD'S CHAMPIONSHIP.

GOODSELL RETAINS TITLE. EASY WIN BY SEVEN LENGTHS. The race for the world's sculling championship was decided on the Parramatta River on May 3, when Major Goodsell, of Sydney, successfully defended the title against T°m Saul, of the Macleav River. Notwithstanding the fact that the race was held on a week-day and the conditions did not promise to ho ideal for sculling, a large crowd was present to witness the contest.

The conditions were not favourable, as a gusty south-west breeze made the water very broken across Bray's Bay and Hen and Chicken Bay. Goodsell showed that he knew the course thoroughly, but Saul lost a great deal through a lack of knowledge of the course. Goodsell weighed about list, and Saul only about 9st. 101b.

Saul had already proved himself fast over a mile, as he is the holder of the light-weight mile championship of New South Wales and the open mile championship of New South Wales, but after traversing the first mile of the course yesterday he could not pace it with the champion. An ex-world's champion, "BiJl" Beach, acted as umpire, and Mr. Jack Scott as judge.

Saul Obtains the Lead. The start was made by mutual consent, and it was four o'clock before the men appeared at Hyde Bridge. After several false starts the men got away nicely. Both rowed at a high rate over the first stages and, assisted by strong gusts from the west, they soon reached Uhr's Point wharf, where Saul had a lead of almost a length. Saul was sculling well and going ahead at every stroke. The water had been good to this point, but crossing Bray's Bay it was very choppy and appeared to trouble Goodsell a lot, although he was now holding Saul. When approaching Blaxland's beacon Goodsell faltered badly and in recovering he. lost considerably, Saul passing the mile beacon at Blaxland's Point with a length and a-half to spare. Goodsell quickly made up the leeway crossing to Bottle Point, and drew level with Saul. Saul was out of his course, and it looked as if the men must foul, as their sculls overlapped, but Goodsell displayed great sportsmanship and drew clear of his opponent. The strenuous first mile was now telling on Saul, and Goodsell opened out from him on the run to Putney Point, which he passed three lengths ahead. He steered an excellent course to the Gasworks while Saul kept too far to the north bank, Goodsell passing with four lengths to spare. Goodsell went close to Cabarita to get the calm water and swung along, showing good form. He was five lengths ahead of Saul at Tennyson and six lengths ahead at Cabarita, the two-mile mark.

Saul's Last Effort. Between Putney and the two-mile mark Saul appeared to tire, but after passing the latter he made an effort. Although he gained slightly, the advantage was soon regained by Goodsell. Six lengths still separated the pair at Cabarifa. Goodsell, remaining on the south side, crossed to Abbotsford, while Saul passed close to Gladesville Point. Saul appeared to fare best in the rough water, but although he gained on Goodsell through being assisted by the tide off Giadesville he was swept too far to the northern bank by the wind.

Saul sculled pluckilv and made another effort to overhaul the leader, but once under the lee of Abbotsford Goodsell shot ahead.

Saul made a last effort, but the champion sculled home comfortably, and won by seven lengths. The time given by the official timekeeper for the lull course was 23min. Usee. The sectional times were:— One mile, 6min Lsec; a mile and a-half, 9min Bsec • two miles, l4min 26sec; two miles and a-half, 19min 56sec.