Aramoho Rowing Eight Beaten In Conditions Described By Their Coach As "Shocking"

Wanganui Chronicle, 29 November 1948, Page 5

Aramoho Rowing Eight Beaten In Conditions Described By Their Coach As "Shocking"

Schneider's Win In Sculls Made Possible When Webb Capsized

(N.Z.P.A.—Copyright.)

SYDNEY, Nov. 28 (Rec. 6 pm).—ln conditions described by the New Zealand coach, D. Holmes, as shocking, the Haberfleld eight beat Aramoho (New Zealand) by three-quarters of a length at the Haberfleld annual regatta.

In the senior single sculls event, J. Schneider (New Zealand) snatched victory from K. Webb, the holder of the diamond sculls at Heliley-on-Yarra, when Webb “crabbed” and fell from his boat when 20 yards from the finish.

The races were held over the J. B. Sharp Memorial Course at Iron Cove, Sydney Harbour, in a stiff north-east breeze. The course is a difficult one for visiting crews at any time, and doubly so when the breeze, blowing straight down the cove, kicks up the water. Comparable conditions could be found on the Te Aro course, Wellington harbour, in a stiff northerly. To make things harder the course is spanned by the Iron Cove bridge about half a mile from the finish. The rowers have to watch their course passing under the bridge, where a nasty swirl devedops. It is essentially a course where local knowledge can be the deciding factor. The New Zealand officials expressed the opinion that if such conditions prevailed in New Zealand as they observed before the Haberfleld regatta the events would be cancelled. Though there were seven contestants in the senior sculls event it soon developed into a duel between Webb and Schneider. Webb stayed well out in the fairway while Schneider, obviously feeling the need of leading marks, swung over near the southern shore. Schneider moved into the lead as they were approaching the bridge, but as he passed under it he realised that he would have to turn out again to avoid the shoreline. As he did so Webb gained ground until they were level with 600 yards to go. Then, witli Schneider sculling almost in his water Webb drew clear and looked a certain winner. Twenty yards from home he “crabbed” and capsized. Schneider struck the overturned shell and almost turned over himself, but recovered to cross the line ahead by a canvas. Lying across his boat,' Webb swam it over the line to beat the other contestants by several lengths. In the eights event, Aramoho (E. Johnson, L. Clarke, W. Carroll, J. O’Brien, T. Preator, J. Brown, W. James, D. Morrison, and C. Johnstone cox), set what Australian officials regarded as an exceptionally fast rate. Racing evenly with Haberfleld, who hold the Australian championship, they drew away from the rest of the field. The crews were level at the bridge, where Haberfleld sprinted and drew clear. Conditions under the bridge were almost unrowable, and local knowledge plainly helped Haberfield. The New Zealanders recovered, and stroking 38, about five higher titan Haberfleld, held the Australian

champions over the rest of the course. . They are eager for the next meeting, which will be in calmer river water.