AQUATIC.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10927, 17 November 1913, Page 5

AQUATIC.

—l> IS PADDON A CHAMPION? That Richard Arnst had done all that careful preparation could do to win back the soulling championship from James Paddon, on Parramatta River, was proved by the splendid condition in wnich he finished (says the " Bulletin "). Early in the race the towering Paddon got a length ahead, and from that moment Arnst never had a chance. He rowed a- stern chase, and rowed it magnificently, with a dogged pluck that made onlookers regret tnere could not be two winners. Again and again he spurted, and slightly reduced the increasing gap betewen the boats; then Paddon* would bend to it, increase his stroke, and lift Kis shell through the water at greater speed, making good the loss and adding a little more to his lead. Curiously enough, the beaten man finished much the fresher of the two j and had it been a race till one fell overboard through sheer attrition, Arnst would have won. But it wasn't, and Paddon's superiority was good enough for the distance. There was nothing spectacular about the contest. A procession, no matter how hard the pursuer struggles, is never wildly interesting. In fact, the sight of a hopeless struggle is liable to be depressing, and this was a most hopeless-looking struggle. But it was a mighty important affair to the men engaged. It puts Arnst practically down and out as far as championships are concerned, and also places Paddon in the direct line of succession to the championship of the world. The conditions were charming. The course was never kept so clear before ; the only stranger that eluded the police and got into the f ainjay was a dead marine, and, of course, it had to collide with Arnst's oar-blade and throw him out of his swing. The river was floored over with craft of every kind, huge crowds were on the banks) and the " gate "on the official steamers unexpectedly large; while as for the day, it was ideal for the rowers. . The Parramatta course is three miles 330 yards, and Paddon covered it in 21min 41sec. Last year Barry beat Arnst over the 4£ miles Thames course (Putney to Mortlake) in 23mdn Bsec. Later on, he beat Durnan over the same course in 22min 31sec. On that showing Paddon will have to improve a lot before he challenges England's champion with any chance of success. Arnst, when at his zenith, would have beaten Paddon's Saturday effort easily, as in 1911 he defeated Pearce in 19min 46sec. In 1909 he was even better still —he covered three miles 440 yds, on the Wanganui (M.L.), in 18min 14 8-ssec. It is early, then, to talk of Paddon as a world-beater on his showing of Saturday, though, of course, we do not know what he had in reserve.