WHELCH AND FOGWELL.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XIV, Issue 3295, 14 April 1909, Page 5

WHELCH AND FOGWELL.

MONDAY’S RACE.

Electric Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, April 13. _ Interviewed regarding his race with Fogweli yesterday for tlie championship of New Zealand. AVhelch said:— “It was hard going for the first mite and a half, f did not know what Fogweli could do, but I thought it was going to be a hard go, but that if 1 could hold him for half the distance I was right. He led me by half a length for a mile and a quarterbut 1 was digging them in pretty hard, and feeling as fit as a fiddleI was level at the mile and a half, and then he seemed to tire. No, I did not reckon anything on position, and if I had won the toss I believe I would have taken the outside position. The water all the way was everything that could be desired. I must say the boat built in New Zealand is a really good one. and the model of her as a racing skiff is excellent ; but the weignt is in her, too, and for a man of ten stone a boat of 311 bis too heavy; 231 bor 241 bis quite enough. I rowed in Webb’s boat—length 25ft, beam llin, and weight 27Tb. I rowed with New Zealand sculls, made by Harry Norton, and everything was satisfactory. I have no intention yet of taking on any sculling. 1 will rest for a swell on the championship. Of course, tlie man I would naturally ’ike to meet first is Thcroughgood. but I think he ought to come here on the same conditions as I went to Australia on.” Whelch stated that he felt much better than when he met Thoroughgood, for then he was only 96t 81b, although his ordinary weight is lOst. “My good condition.” he said. “I put down to Webb’s training. We have worked hard for the win, with different exercises in and out of the boat.” A REAL STICKER.

Fogweli frankly told an interviewer in a tew words that he had rowed until he was retelling with unusual exertion, the pace being too strong for him. “Atter 1 had gone a mile, he said, “I thought 1 had him well in hand, but after that lie kept on coming at me. Whelch is a leal sticker. 1 will never race again. Hu is my second defeat; and 1 would not ask anyone else to back me.” He stated that Whelch had considerably surprised him, and had put up a much better race than he exp-toted. “There is not much to say," said R. Arnst, the world’s champion sculler, who trained Fogweli. ’’Whelch was too good, and rowed him until he Was sick. Whelch will be a terribly hard man to beat, because 1 know what Fogweli can do over a distance.” THE WORLD S CHAAIPIONSHIP. A strong effort is being made to have the Arnst-Webb world s championship rowed at Akaroa. It is understood that it is merely a question of monetary inducement. The people of Akaroa have guaranteed a certain sum. It is believed the decision will depend on what allowance, if any. the Union Steamship Company may" make per head on passengers.