SCULLING.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXII, Issue 12379, 3 February 1908, Page 2

SCULLING.

THE WORLD'S CHAMPIONSHIP.

TRESIDDEB, v. WEBB.

BY "VICTOR."

Next Saturday week, the 15th inst., the final deposit of .£2OO per man has to be made by the backers of Treeidder and Webb with the stakeholder, Mr F. Webb Jones, editor of the "Herald," who already holds ,£3OO from each side. The race takes place three weeks from to-morrow, and gives every indication of being a close and exciting one. Both the champion and the challenger have been doing excellent work recently, and they are in splendid fettle. During the last week or so the conviction has been forcing itself upon many of the critics ,who at first were inclined to discount Tresidder's chance, that the Australian is going to be a much harder man for Webb; to beat than they thought. The visitor's rowing lately has shown marked improvement, and there is no gainsaying the fact that he promises to strip in the pink of condition. It may be that he will be a few pounds heavier than in his previous races, but this is only to be expected, as with increasing years it becomes more difficult to get the weight off. On the other hand Trcsidder'a trainer is confident that his man will be as fit as ever he was, and moreover declares that Dick is rowing in as good style as ever he did. This is satisfactory from the Australian's point of view, and it is also prratifying to all true sports in the Dominion, as it is the wish of all such that_both men should b*> at their best on the day and that the better man should prevail. The weather was fine yept*ri*y, and the water suitable for good rowing. There must have been some hundreds of people on the banks of the river to watch the scullers at work, and what a number of rowing 1 craft of all descriptions there were out. There must have been over a dozen single scullers on the river, apart from the big guns, several fours, some pairs, and a few double scullers. Altogether the river presented a very animated appearance, and the opinion was freely expressed that vrith the number of likely-looking young oarsmen coming on, Wanganui should not be long in producing another Webb or two. Tresidderi accompanied by Ford, as usual, did his customary solid row up to Sparrow Cliff and back, some seven miles or so. His rowing was clean and. there was evidence of plenty of power being in the strokes, as his boat glided along in nice style, without any apparent effort. Tresidder'e work this morning was much of the same order. It is characteristic of the challenger that his style always looks better at the finish of a long row than at the start. Tie fairly revels in his work, and it. is apparent from his free and confident manner that he has high hopes of proving what those who know him best have always claimed for him, viz., that he is a much better sculler than he has ever been given oredit for, event by \the critics in Australia.

Webb, with Green as his companion, eculled in his customary* neat, clean style down to the bridge and back to his shed yesterday morning. McDonald, the Wanganui Club man, had a bit of a spin with the champion at one stage of the journey, but Webb had no trouble in holding him. By the way, McDonald is a much improved sculler, and' his club mates are* hopeful that he will give Joe Green a big race when the pair meet, which they are expected to do at the Wanganui Kegatta on the 12th of March, and probably again at Napier in the championship event. '. This morning Webb had another very solid row over about two miles, from the town bridge down to the green light and back again. Green took a fairly long start, and then paced, the champion at a fine swinging pace to within, a short distance of the turning point. Here Green stopped, Webb going on, alone, and turning rowed back at an average of between 26 and 27, his rate going down being from 30 at the start to 26. There was a very strong wind against the acullera going down, but a very good pace was maintained, the row being a satisfactory one, and proving that Webb only wants two or three more solid rows to be at the top of his form. Green showed improved form this morn-

ing, and hung on to the champion very well for some part of the journey. If he continues to show the asme rate of progress in his form he may be depended upon to give the best of the amateurs a great race at Naricr next month.

It is Webb's intention to take up hi« quarters at his old camping ground opposite Kaiwhaiki to-day" week. He will haVe ?3 companions his trainer (J. D. Batnett) and Joe Green, as heretofore. Treßidder and his assistants (Biua and Ford) have mads arrangements to be accommodated at Ilie hotel at Upokongaro, and will proceed iiy there to-morrow week. Some wagering has already: taken ■place on the race. The biggest bet I have hoard of was one made to-day, when a supporter of Tresidder's accepted £60 to .£4O from one of tho champion's admirers.