ROWING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23717, 26 January 1939, Page 5

ROWING

By Outrigger

FIXTURES February 4.—Burkes-St. Leonards re££clttcL ' February 11.—Interclub Eights, at Dunedin. February 11.—New Zealand championships. at Picton. February 25.—Otago regatta, at Port , Chalmers. April 8. —Interprovincial Eight-oar Championship, at Dunedin. THE WAIHOLA REGATTA Successful Fixture Some of the glory of bygone days was restored to Waihola on Saturday, when the first regatta for a number of years was staged there by the Dunedin Regatta Club. That the club was wise in its decision to make Waihola the venue of its annual fixture was borne out by the success which attended its efforts. Good entries, excellent racing, and fairly large public patronage were factors tending to make the day a satisfactory one indeed, and it is reasonable to assume that, had the weather earlier in the week, and particularly on the day, been more in keeping with the summer season, the fixture would have been even more successful. Apart from the delay in starting events, for which to some extent the conditions could be blamed, the weather provided the one really jarring note. The conditions were variable —there were occasional saualls followed by periods of calm. This state of affairs consequently had a bearing on results in that some clews were more fortunate than others in striking conditions more suited to them. The Southland Clubs Credit for much of the success of the racing must be given to the Southland Clubs. They were strongly represented and provided the competition necessary for really interesting racing. They had crews in nine races, and, apart altogether from successes, in only three did any of their crews figure among those who also started. The Awarua Club was particularly successful, taking second place in the matter of places only to Otago, which numerically was much better represented. Awarua secured the majority of the trophy races. The main event on the programme, the Senior Fours, was won by Awarua in convincing fashion. Rowed in almost a flat calm, the race was a veritable triumph for the southern oarsmen Clipping the short, fast stroke typical of the Awarua style, they maintained a steady pace throughout to win by a length from Otago and in this connection, L. Morrison, in the stroke’s seat, gave an excellent lead to his crew. In contrast to the fast, short stroking of Awarua, the Otago crew employed a long, steady stroke, showing smooth bladework. For the first half-mile the crews appeared to be rowing in line, and then Awarua forged ahead, closely followed by Otago. Port Chalmers early in the race apparently found it necessary to cross over behind Otago and thus lost a length or so. Before the halfway mark was reached North End was well back, and in the last quarter pulled out of the race. Over the last few hundred yards Otago appeared to be making an impression on Awarua’s lead, but at the finish Awarua was going away. Port Chalmers stopped rowing before, the line was reached and Otago’s three-length advantage was increased to six lengths. The Otago crew raced in fine style to take the Youth’ Double Sculls, the first event on the programme, which was rowed in rough water. The Otago oarsmen seemed to have the race in hand after the first quarter of the mile course. Awarua. which was second most of the way, was beaten out of second place by the fast-finishing Port Chalmers No, 1 crew. The Maiden Fours went to Invercargill Railway, who finished with a spurt over the last 100 yards to take the race frorp Awarua by a canvas. Port Chalmers, who earlier had appeared the likely winners, faded away towards the finish, crossing the line a length behind Awarua G. Mitchell, of the Port Club, led for most of the distance in the Senior Single Sculls to win from J. K. Barclay, Otago No. 1 man. Barclay, however, came up very quickly at the finish to be only half a length behind at the gun. F. Eggers. of North End. who rowed well, was only a length away in third place. , . , Conditions were very much improved for the fourth race, the Junior Pairs, Port Chalmers and Otago were out in front at the halfway mark, with Awarua a close third. Riverton, however. rapidly improved its position and went ont to win -comfortably from Otago, with Awarua third. The Port Chalmers crew appeared to tire badly: indeed, several Port crews, as well as others, suffered a similar handicap during the afternoon. The Youths’ Fours went to Awarua. who lead for the greater part of the race to win easily. Port Chalmers and Queen’s Drive had a tussle for second place, the former crew getting home by hdlf a length. Promising Sculler The Maiden Single Sculls event was noteworthy for the exhibition given by J. Marshall, Otago No. 1. He sculled powerfully throughout the race, revealing a fine style. G. Hoskins, Port Chalmers, also gave a creditable exhibition. The two other starters— J Grubb North End, and W. N. Williams. Otago No. 2—failed to finish. The race was rowed in a rain squall. Some promising oarsmen were seen in action in the Novice Fours, which provided a surprisingly fine race. Queen’s Drive got home by about three-quarters of a length from Otago. Port Chalmers, who were in third place, eased up before the finishing line and thus broadened the margin of defeat. Two Crews Disqualified Two crews. Invercargill Railway and Riverton, were disqualified in the Youths’ Pairs for finishing outside the course. Both would have been placed had they steered a better course; indeed the former crew would probably have won. There was great disparity in class in this race, and the field was well spread out at the finish. Invercargill Railway had taken the lead at the halfway mark, followed by Awarua. Awarua crossed the line four lengths clear of Otago No. 2. with Port Chalmers No. 2 two lengths away The Junior Single Sculls provided an easy win by P. T. Jack. Otago There were only two starters. R. Hill, the Port Chalmers representative, faded at the finish, being three lengths away. , , , Before half the distance had been covered in the Maiden Pairs. Awarua had forged ahead, followed by Otago No. 2 and Invercargill Railway, and went on to win comfortably by three lengths. Invercargill Railway got up to defeat Otago No 2. who tired towards the finish. A Thrilling Climax The Junior Fours was an interesting race, which proved at the finish an easy win for Ota CT o. followed by Riverton and Awarua. Then the Senior Pairs provided a thrilling race, a fitting climax to any regatta. It was the best race of the day. The three placed crews were in line nearly all the way. and as the finish was neared it was difficult to decide who was in the lead. Awarua fell Nightly behind almost at the last moment, and Port Chalmers and Invercargill Railway went across the line together for a dcad-hcat. Trophy Winners

The trophies attached to various races were won as follows:

the small boats best and gave the keelers on the back marks little chance of catching the leaders. Evelyn was well sailed by K. Todd to win by a narrow margin, followed by the Idlealong Vagabond and another 14-footer. Val. MITI REPAIRED The yacht Miti. which was considerably damaged in a heavy gale at Moeraki during the Christmas holidays, has now been repaired and is afloat again. Unfortunately. Irex and the launch Dawn, which suffered in the gale in Dunedin last week, are quite beyond repair, so that the Ravensbourne Club was a heavy loser by the bad weather.

Awarua: White Memorial Trophy. Miss Lois A. White’s Cup. John Mill Memorial Trophy and Otago Rowing Club’s Henley Challenge Cup. ■ Port Chalmers: Mr W. L. Hoopers Challenge Cup and miniature Riverton: H. T. Speight Challenge Cup, with two miniatures. Otago: Mr A. C. Hanlon s Cup. Summary A summary of results is as follows: Firsts. Seconds. Thirds.

North End J oll Port Chalmers and Invercargill Railway, who dead-heated in the Senior Pairs, are each credited with a win for that race in the above table.

THE OTAGO CLUB Regatta Crews Selected The following crew will represent the Otago Club in the Interclub Eights at Dunedin on February lli—Binme, Johnson, R. Marshall. J. Marshall, Williams, Davidson, Lysaght, , Barclay. Stapp (cox). , . , The following crews have been selected for the Burkes-St. Leonards, the Port Chalmers, and the Queenstown Fours.—Moore, Hall, Laing. and McCorkindale; Brady, Wilson, Irvine, and Cossens. Youths’ Four. —Johnson, Lyons, Crawford, and Scott. Maiden Double Sculls.—-Patterson and Laing; J. Marshall and Williams. Junior Double Sculls.—Davidson and Double Sculls.—R. Marshall and Mitchell, L. Marshall and W. Br Senior Double Sculls.—Binnie and Barclay; Davidson and Lysaght. Youths’ Pairs. — L. and R. Marshall; Mitchell and Brown.. Senior Pairs. —Binnie and Johnson; Lysaght and Davidson,. Senior Four.—-Binnie, Johnson, Lysaght, and Barclay. Junior Four. — R. Marshall, J. Marshall, Williams, and Harvey. Youths’ Four—Mitchell, L. Marshall, McKewen, and Brown. . The Howlison Cup an-* the Wright Double Sculls will be rowed on Sunday at Taieri Gorge. A bus will leave the clubhouse at 8.45 a.m. Seventeen members have already notified their intention of attending the Queenstown regatta. PROGRAMME DELAYS Must delays at regattas always be accepted with philosophical complacency? One official remarked on Saturday that he had attended about 40 regattas in his life and at not one had the programme been maintained to schedule. It must be allowed that there were circumstances at Waihoia .which made some delay unavoidable, but it seems that an improvement in the organisation would have averted at least some of the two hours’ lag. The committee, no doubt, has several improvements in mind for next year. For instance, it seems desirable that all crews with their equipment should be asked to assemble in the one place, and not allowed to spread nut along the lakeside, as happened on Saturday. This would facilitate punctual despatch to the starting line. In fact the committee might well consider assembling the crews at a point in closer proximity to the starting line. TemEorary dressing accommodation could e erected. Good patronage was accorded the regatta on Saturday, and the committee would do well to remember that nothing is more likely to alienate public support than long delays between events. ROW TO THE FINISH There was a tendency on the part 01 many crews at Waihoia on Saturday, when it became obvious that they could not fill first or second places, to cease rowing before the finishing line was reached. This is a mistake, as it might easily mean that a crew might be beaten out of third place, as almost happened on at least a couple of occasions on Saturday. In one instance when a crew ceased rowing many vards from the finishing post, it was only a length or so behind the thirdplaced crew, but through stopping it nassed the line about six lengths behind. , , This is a matter for club coaches. It should be remembered that a race is never won, or lost, until the finishing line is crossed. That is a point worth attention, for it might easily happen that one at least of the placed crews might have earned disqualification. What is more, it is not a pleasing sight for spectators to sec a crew give up before reaching the post.

DUNEDIN REGATTA CLUB Saturday's was the fifth annual regatta staged by the Dunedin Regatta Club, and, judging by the success of Saturday’s fixture, the club appears to be established on a firm footing. There were problems associated with the running of the programme at Waihola. but. as the club’s affairs are in the hands of an enthusiastic and experienced committee, these will probably be rectified next year. ,-v It is estimated that about 500 spectators paid the small admission. fee at Waihola on Saturday. In the circumstances. this was good patronage. INTERPROVINCIAL EIGHTS Wanganui’s Attitude to Change of , ' y,.- ■' ‘Date; A letter asking Whether the association would consent -to - the, changing of the date of the' lnterprovmc:.al Eight-oar Race for the HalliburtonJohnstone Bowl from Easter Monday to March 26 was received from the Otago Rowing Association at a recent meeting of the Wanganui Rowing Association. ■ .. . The Wanganui Association decided to point out that by March 26 Wanganui clubs ' would have travelled to New Plymouth, Waitara, Napier, Wellington, and Picton, and that under the circumstances oarsmen could not be expected to ask their employers tor further leave. , . , , . The Otago Association is to be informed that if the race is not held at Easter representation from Wanganui would be extremely doubtful. NOTES The Interclub Eights will be rowed at Dunedin on February 11. Provided that there are sufficient entries, Senior Single Sculls will be added to the Queenstown regatta programme. One entry from the Otago Club is already assured. Four new officials are among the list for the Burkes-St. Leonards regatta. This is'in accord with the policy decided on by the Otago Association of having a band of experienced officials upon which to call. The new officials are: Starter. Mr J. P. Vallis: umpire, Mr F. Brough; judges, Messrs G. Thorn and D. Matheson. The other two judges will be^ two experienced officials. Messrs S. G. Styche and E. Fairbairn.

Otago • • 4 6 1 1 Awarua • • 4 4 Port Chalmers .. Invercargill 2 3 4 Railway 2 1 . Riverton .. * • 1 1 t Queen’s Drive 1 — 1