ROWING

Southland Times, Issue 21604, 16 January 1932, Page 17

ROWING

(By

"Maiden.”)

One of the most important pieces of business to be attended to by the New Zealand Rowing Council at next meeting will be the appointment of a selector, or selectors, for the Olympic eight. On previous occasions there have been more than one selector, but it is quite possible that the appointment of a sole selector this year will receive consideration. The appointment of a sole selector has much to justify it, and provided the right man is found in whom confidence can be placed there does not. appear to be any reason why the appointment of one selector should not receive favourable consideration. Another matter to be considered is the replacement of the council’s eight which was given to this province. It is likely that if an eight is ordered from England it will be taken delivery of at Los Angeles, provided the crew goes to the Games. All oarsmbn in New Zealand will welcome back the Napier Rowing Club, which was recently re-formed and has been affiliated to the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association. The Napier Rowing Club was originally formed in 1875 and was one of those clubs which suffered severely by decreased membership owing to the war. The Napier Club had not functioned for a number of years. The Waikato River was inspected recently by Auckland Rowing Association officials for the purpose of laying out the course for the New Zealand championships, which are to take place to-day fortnight. lire officials stated that with the river buoyed in certain suggested places it should prove eminently satisfactory as a championship course. They mentioned that one feature would be that the championship races could be started on time, since the river complied with the main championship conditions—smooth, water at all times. The visitors were impressed with the training facilities existing in Hamilton, since in Auckland training is often dependent upon tides and wind being suitable. The World’s Title. It is likely that Ted Phelps, the professional sculling champion of the world, will accept the challenge he has received from Major Goodsell, the Australian exholder, to a race for the title in the United States (states an exchange). Ted is the son of the famous “Bossie” Phelps, the pilot of the Oxford crew, and won the sculling championship a year ago, when he defeated M. A. Barry. He is twenty-three years of age, stands 6ft lin, and weighs 13st. He has won several honours on the river, and has always had the guidance of his father, who has coached nine winners of the Diamond .Sculls and five holders of the Colquhoun Sculls. It is imagined that Phelps will have no great difficulty in retaining the title if the match against Major Goodsell takes place. He is nine years younger than his challenger, and years count for a good deal in the strenuous sport of sculling. It is estimated that if he takes up the challenge the trip will cost the Londoner about £lOOO. In a letter to Harry Pearce, father of the champion amateur sculler, Major Goddsell states that he has backing for £2OOO against Phelps for the title race to take place at Long Reach just after the Olympic Games. A course of one and a half miles has been fenced for the big amateur carnival, £20,000 having been expended on providing accommodation. This •will be used by the two professionals (says the Sporting Globe). Goodsell is eager to have Bobbie Pearce train with him. Failing the Double Bay lad, he will prepare with F. S. Hagney, one-time Australian sculler and cyclist, Harry Pearce is delighted with his son’s feat in covering seven-eighths of a mile in 4min 46sec in fresh water absolutely dear!. It works out at 5.27 for the mile —a record. Harry did the first mile in 5.35 against Dick Arnst, time which equals Searle’s, but H.P. is astounded at Bobbie’s feat. Pearce, senior, says that Mr Cleland, a great admirer of the champion’s sculling, will defray the cost of the Australian's transport from Vancouver to Los Angeles. With the Australian Olympic Federation not overburdened with cash the offer should be very welcome.