OLYMPIC EIGHTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8178, 20 July 1912, Page 5

OLYMPIC EIGHTS

LEANDERS BEAT AUSTRALIA GALLANT FINISH AFTER' A GRUELLING RACE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright STOCKHOLM, July IS. The heats of the Olympic Eight-oar Race were continued to-day. The course is on an inlet of the sea, and the water, though fresh, is dead. Its length is 2000 metres, or 1 mile 427 yards, compared with 1 mile 880 yards at Henley, whore the 1908 race was rowed. The finish is difficult, a big sweep haring to be made before entering (through the narrow arches of a bridge) the short finishing straight. The winning crew takes the Brunetta Challenge Oup (a statuette of Pallas Athene). The Leander Club (Great Britain) is the present holder. Boats: Outriggers (best and best). SECOND ROUND. Leander Club defeated Australia by two-thirds of a length. The Australians occupied the outside berth. They went away at 42 strokes to the minute, Leander striking 40. tsoon the rates were 40 and 36 respectively. At half way the Australians led by half a length. At 1500 metres they were still ahead, when Leander, who were splashing badly, made a great effort, and drew level. Under the bridge they spurted again, and a magnificent struggle for the leadership took place in the straight. Leander just managed, 300 yards from the goal, to get ahead past the crowded stands, in record time —6min 10 3-lOsec —for the course. Both crews were absolutely rowed out. New College (Oxford) defeated Stockholm. NEW COLLEGE IN THE FINAL. (Received July 19, 10.20 p.m.) STOCKHOLM, July 19. New College rowed the first heat today. They had the inside berth and led throughout, beating Stockholm by a length and a quarter. Time, 6min 19seo. New College have drawn a bye, and will only row in the final. Leanders meet Berlin this morning, hnd the winners row New College this evening. All the critics are , agreed that Leanders have improved greatly since the Henley meeting early in the month. The Australians were rather faster off the mark in yesterday’s race, and although at a disadvantage .in position drew away until they established a lead; but 200 metres beyond the halfway mark Leanders made a terrific effort and got slightly in front. The Australians responded with a grand spurt and again drew r level, only, however, to see Leanders get away on a splendid finishing effort. The crews were completely exhausted. Tremendous enthusiasm was aroused by tho race. ' SINGLE SCULLS. In the third heat Kinneir (England) led throughout from Stahnke (Germany), whom ho defeated by two lengths and a half. OUTRIGGER FOURS. In tho second heat Thames beat the Norwegian Students' crow by a length and a half. WHY LEANDERS WON. (Received July 19, 11 p.m.) LONDON. July 19. “Sporting Life” says the race between the Australians and Leanders was to a great extent a reproduction of tho form shown at Henley, with the vital difference that the Leanders were capable of spurting near the finish. The crew had benefited by the lessons learned at Henley. The “Daily Telegraph” and “Standard” agree that the race proved the supremacy of the English style. BRITAIN WINS MILITARY TEAMRIDING. STOCKHOLM, July 18. The military team-riding event was won by British representatives, Germany being runners-up. Third place was filled by tho United States team. LESSONS OF THE GAMES. LONDON, July 18. The Canadian, Australian, and South African athletes, who contested the' Olympic Games, all favour entering as one Empire team in future games, instead of dissipating their strength by breaking up into unite. “The Times” correspondent at Stockholm states that representatives of the United Kingdom desire a united team in preference to Empire unite. Many oversea athletes favour consolidation. i ‘ Dr Conan Doyle submits a similar suggestion. Then they could enlist the services of Cingalese and Malay swimmers, Indian runners, and Sikh wrestlers.