SCULLING.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXII, Issue 12395, 20 February 1908, Page 2

SCULLING.

THE WORLD'S CHAMPIONSHIP. TEESIDDEE v. WEBB. BY It would be of great advantage to many of the spectators at next Tuesday's match if the result were announced by means of a flag from the umpire*" boat/. As soon as the race is over' a flag could be shown indicating the winner. Ttfis would enable those on the hillside grandstand to learn who had won much sooner than otherwise would be the case -in the event of a close finish, an^jthe news would be welcome to •many. A rumour is going the rounds ac to an extraordinarily fast trial by Tresidder, who is alleged to have got over the^ full course in muoh faster time than the champion has ever done. This would be very welcome news to Dick's friends if it were true, but, however fast a trial he may havedone.it is simply absurd to talk about it being better than Webb has ever done, for the simple reason that the -champion has never yet had a real trial over the ctrfirge for Tuesday's rape. any case, Tresidder does not do trials over 4;he full - course, contenting himself with spins over a mile when he does go against the watch. That he has had one or. two such goes is true, and those in the know express^ themselves as well pleased with his performances. This^is good, as it shows that he is in capital for. A. Halt the interest would .be taken out of the . contest if it were thought that the Australian was not in

tip top condition, which he ie, and moreover he ia very confident.

This brings me to a point upon which I have received many requests to touch, and give a decided opinion about, viz., the question' as to "Who is going to win? 31 This is the all-absorbing' topic now, and as so many "Herald" readers have evinced a desire to learn what I think about it, I shall give my views briefly.' Without going any further I may say that I do not think Dick Tresidder will return to Air£ tralia as champion of the world. In build the Newcastle man looks like a champion, especially when seen stripped, as he has stout arms and legs and a powerful back. Seen on the river he does not fill the eye so well, that is, aa far ac- style goes. He does not swijdg his body with his sculle, but keeps an almost straight back and is faulty with the right arm. There is a stiffness about his, movements which is in marked contrast to the life Shown by Webb, who uses his arms, legs, slide/ and body much more scientifically than does Tresidder. Still, there is no getting awav> from the fact that Dick -can drive his boat" along, and that he will row a hard and game race right to the finish is beyond doubt. However, in my opinion he lacks the brilliancy of Webb, who can stay as well as Dick or any other man who ever sat a boat, and that extra dash will, I firmly believe, give {he Wanganui man the advantage. To sum up, it ought to be a hard,, determined struggle, which will probably end in a win for Webb. One thing is certain, if Tresidder can defeat t}ie present champion, then he will deserve the victory, as there is a big difference in the men's ages, Webb having the advantage of being nine years younger than his rival, viz., 28, as against 37. Tresidder declares he is as well as ever he was, and those who know him best say that at his best he was in the fi^st class for speed and--sta-mina. This is easy to believe', but even if all things else were equal, that is to say if Tresidder had as much science as Webb. I fancy youth would be served, or, as Jim Stanbury put it so aptly after his defeat by Webb — "Age must bow to youth."

As will be seen by advertisement in another column, the big hill known as the old redoubt, overlooking the finishing post and giving a grand view of the last mile of the course, will be available to the -public. The hill in question is on the Upokongaro side of the" river. There was nothing special about the work /done yesterday by either sculler, and this morning's tasks were much as usual. > . "Dick looks remarkably well," said Fogwell, after seeing Tresidder this morning, "and there is no doubt he ie in splendid condition," he added. This was the opinion Tof Dick Arnst and Harry Floyd, both of whom were surprised to see Dick so fit. Had they been here to see the work the Big Newcastle man has been doing during the last seven weeks they would not have wondered at him being in good nick, ac he has undergone a. thorough preparation. Webb will bAve his final row on Sunday afternoon, when he will do a sharp row over a mile »or two. Given a fine day it is expected that there will be a big crowd at the camp.

ARNST"S CHALLENGE.

Tne following is the challenge issued by Richard Arnst to the winner of the forthcoming race: — "1 hereby* challenge the winner of the William Webb-Richard Tresidder race to row f or .the > scu}ling championship of the world' 1 and five "hundred pounds (£soo^ aside; and deposit herewith with VMr F. Webb-Jones, editor, of the 'Herald, one hundred pounds (£100) as a guarantee of the bona fides of my challenge, and in accordance with championship Tules. — Richard Arnst."

WANGANUI AMATEUR REGATTA XASSOCIATTON, *

The_oommittee of the above Association have decided to add to their programme of events for their annual regatta on Thursday, 12th March, a senior sculls, beet andTTest boats, H miles. First prize £5, second .£l. To start at 1.45 p.m. Entries will close for same ac stated on official programme.