THE SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

Patea Mail, Volume XXIX, 16 December 1908, Page 2

THE SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

Webb Defeated. A Great Race. The race lor the sculling championship 1 of the world was rowed on the Wanganu [ river yerterday afternoon betweei William Webb and Richard Arnst, ant the result, while surprising the vast i majority of the spectators, proved Arns to be a phenomenal sculler. “If yoi win old chap, we shall be glad to extern a congratulatory hand to you,” wo sai< to Arnst on Monday afternoon, and thi morning we metaphorically shako hand with him, His performance is simpl; astounding when it is considered that tw< years ago he could not sit in a racinj shell. Shortly after 1 o’clock rain drops gay an unmistakable hint that overcoat would be in demand. At 2 o’clock whei the follow-the-race boats left, rain begai to fall steadily, and from then onward everything was grey and gloomy. AT THE START. As the follow-the-race steamers approached the starting post (about 3.1 o’clock) two men were observed “ taking it easy,” under the shade—or rathe shelter —of a spreading tree. The waved their hats familiarly to £b steamer passengers, who were surprise to discover that they were Arnst au Fogwell. “ Well he is a cool customer, remarked a visiting/pressman : “ he mus have plenty of confidence in himself. The two scullers remained under th tree, while the spectatators wait*' eagerly for a glimpse of Webb, of whor no trace had been seen. Ten minute before the time of starting the Waione’ whistle was blown and immediate! afterwards Arnst came down to the rive edge carrying his sculls. En route h slid for some yards over the slipper hank, but this did not disconcert him i: the slightest degree however, it rathe proving a source of amusement. Fog well then came down, jauntily carryiu, Arnst’s boat on his head. No ceremon; was wasted, Arnst quickly getting aboar his boat, and, receiving thp good wishe of his pacemaker, set off across the rive in a very business like manner. Hi form immediately impressed the onlook ers. Brown as a berry and his sldi shining like satin, Arnst looked th picture of health while the manner n which his boat sped through the wate showed that his massive frame was storehouse of power. A few minute later Webb made his appearance, scull ing up the river from his camp. He wa clad in a dark blue jersey. The two men who were heartily cheered, lost littl time in COMMENCING WORK. They pulled to the bow of the Waion« where Messrs Tuck and Parker tossei for places. Once more Webb provei successful (this having been the case ii each race he has contested), and he chos the “ inside running.” Both men thei lined up, and after a very slight dela; struck the water together, A BEAUTIFUL START being effected. Webb put in 33 stroke for the first minute, while Arnst strucl 35. After perhaps a dozen strokes it we evident that Webb had met a foemai worthy his steel. Arnst sculled beauti fully, and, in addition to the number o strokes he was putting in, it was ebviou that his sculling was the most powerful He gradually drew away, and after i minute had elapsed had gained a leaf of about a quarter of a length. Hi then dropped down to 30 stroke a minute. Webb putting in i similar number. Both men soon settlei down to their work. They steered ai straight as an arrow, and, despite whai may have been thought previously oi Arnst's style, there was nothing to choosf between the men. Arnst’s great strength was plainly apparent, for although hi and Webb rowed stroke for stroke, thi ! challenger’s boat drew away gradually, j As Webb’s camp was passed Arnst wai I leading the way by half a length. Both man were sculling beautifully, but Arnsl was increasing his lead with every stroke. As they neared the half-mile post it was generally admitted that A NEW CHAMPION had arisen. At the half mile post Arnst had drawn a length away from the champion, who seemed to lurch unaccountably several times. From this out the race requires little description. Arnst, steering a beautiful course, gradually increased his lead until, at the mile post, he was two lengths in the van. Webb was sculling gamely, but there I was a lack of that dash which was expected of him, and on several occasions one of his sculls splashed ominously. This fact was remarked upon by visiting pressmen, who expressed the opinion that Webb was done. This proved to be the case, for Arnst continued to go ahead, eventually passing the two-mile post with a lead of five lengths. He then bad the race won, barring accidents, and, to all intents and purposes, paddled over the last mile and a quarter. Whan the gun went he had a good seven lengths to spare, and the champion, who had been gradually boring over towards the right bank, almost collided with boats which were moored near the shore. Arnst was loudly cheered, as he well deserved to be, and Webb, though decisively beaten, was shown that the people of Wanganui still had a warm regard for him. Arnst and Webb then shook hands, the spectators cheered lustily, the scullers went ashore, and the steamers hurried back to town with their rain-sodden passengers.—Wanganui Chronicle.