Fogwell Beats Whelch

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 22, Issue 30, 21 April 1911, Page 7

Fogwell Beats Whelch

, A GOOD RACE. . Akaroa, April 17. The second contest for the professional Sculling championship of New Zealand took place to-day on Akaroa harbour, W, Fogwell {Australia), the challenger, beating the bolder, G. Wheloh (Akaroa) by two lengths after securing the lead at the end of the first mile. Fogwell secures the purse of £2OO, besides the title, Wheloh secures the gate money, which was, however, not very large. The course was from Porter’s Point, Onuku, to Daly’s wharf, a distance of three and three-eighth miles. When Fogwell rowed Wheloh for the title at Akaroa on Easter Monday two years ago he was beaten easily, practically giving up the race at half way. To-day, however, his form was vastly superior to that shown by him on the previous occasion. Wheloh sculled surprisingly well to-day, and was going all out at the finish, but Fogwell. after securing the lead, was easily able to hold his own, and never looked in danger of being overhauled. Shortly before the men went to the starting point. A fairly stiff sou’-wester was blowing and a drizzling rain was falling, but the water was only slightly ruflled. There was a flood tide just on the turn. Everything, therefore, was favourable for the fast performance that was put up, Wheloh turned the scales at 9st 9Jlb and FogweP at list 21b, Whelch’s boat was slightly lighter than Fogwell’s. . A beautifull start was effected. Wheloh rowing at 32 to the minute and Fogwell at 31, Wheloh appeared to be rowing the better at the start. At the end of a quarter of a mile Wbelch, rowing 30 to the minute with an easy style, secured a (flight lead, Fogwell labouring with 29. At the halfmile Whelch had slightly increased tns lead and was rowing better than his opponent. Fogwell was dragging a little at the end of the first mile, and Whelch had then nearly a length’s advantage. Both men were now rowing 28 to the minute. Fogwell then commenced to row much better, and gained the lead, soon getting four lengths in front. Whelch reduced the lead to three lengths, but despite heroic attempts to catch up Fogwell easily held him off and at halfway was three lengths to the good. Fogwell was now sculling vastly superior to the champion, and passing the Akaroa boatsheds bad increased his lead to five lengths. Whelch livened up and reduced the distance, rowing a great stroke, but the effort had come too late. A quarter of a mile from home Fogwell was three lengths to the good. A hundred yards ::om the finishing post Whelch came up with a great spurt, but Fogwell was quite safe and won easily by two lengths, Time, 20min Issc.