ROWING.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXV, Issue 12984, 27 January 1910, Page 7

ROWING.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP REGATTA. SOME COMMENTS. BY “VICTOR.” The Wanganui rowing men who competed at the championship ' regatta held on the Pic ton. Harbour on Monday and Tuesday last, returned by fpst night’s train from Wellington. There would have been a goodly muster on the station, to welcome them back but for the clanging' of the firebell just before the train arrived. As it was there were only a few enthusiasts on the platform. From all accounts the management of the regatta left a. deal to be desired, and some very strong remarks wore made as to the action of the starter in connection with the Pair-Oar Championship race. It appears that this event, like the other champion races, had to be postponed three or four times owing to the rough water, and there was finally no stipulated time set down for its starting. However, after the other , races had been decided the Picton and Canterbury crews lined, up at the starting point. The. Stars (Wellington) had to use the same boat as h.ad just been used in the double scull event, and this ■meant the unshipping of the riggers, and converting the boat into a. pair-oar. This took some time, but was done.-as expeditiously as possible, and the Wellingtonians set off for the starting point, only to find that the starter had let the Picton and Canterbury crews go, and had not waited for either the Stars or the Wanganui Union, who were within a couple of hundred yards of the starting point, when the gun went off. It is said that the Canterbury crew repeatedly appealed ,to the starter to wait for the other two crews, while Picton, it is alleged, demanded tha* the race should, be started right away. The Union crew—W. Sharpe and C. Drew —g could have easily got down to the post in time, but never dreamt that the starter woul dnot wait for the Stars. Of course, had any stipulated time been set down for the races to start’ and these had'been adhered to, the official in question would have been quite justified in«letting ’Whatever crews were at the post go when that time arrived, hut since there had been so many postponements and there was no certainty when the race was to start, there is some reason for the complaints, subsequently made by the Star and Union supporters. It is understood that the whole matter will be inquired into at a meeting of the New Zealand. Amateur Rowing Association, on Friday.

So far as the big event—the Champion Fours—is concerned, it had to be repeatedly postponed! as the'water was too rough. As a matter of fact, the local Unions rowed to the starting point three times before the race finall ystarted, though by that time the water was in good order. There was a- wind behind the rowers, and a bit of a swell rolling along with them, which did, not affect the chance of any of the crews, however. It was generally thought that the race would b ca very close one, , and it was -expected that a. great struggle for supremacy would be witnessed .between the powerful oarsmen of Blenheim and Waitemata and the- light but wiry Picton and Wanganui Union crews. However, the race proved a very one-sided one, as Union rowing a clean, quick, but powerful stroke shot ahead from the jump, and. before going a quarter of a mile had a two lengths’ lead of the next boat. From this out they gradually forged further and further ahead, hitting the 'water hard and keeping plenty of weight on right through their strokes. Picton and Blenheim were.

meanwhile, struggling desperately with the Christchurch Unions, but despite their determined efforts the light blues kept - drawing, away, unti lat the end of the mile I they were several lengths ahead. The ' Union men were rowing with almost pep- ! feet combination, their swing being admirable and their blade work of the highest class. It , was a splendi dexhibitiou of first-class rowing, and they kept it up right to the end, finishing very strongly it least 12 lengths ahead of Blenheim, who ijysjt beat Christchurch Union after a. desperate struggle. Hie winners’ performance 'lyas a revelation to all the spectators. Pic tton had been much fancied on account of iof a capital trial, whilst Blenheim had also /covered a fast course, in a practice spin, which made their supporters very confident. In this connection, however, it may be said that Union had also done a great trial, having rowed over the two miles '"n 11.19 without an- assistance from tide or wind. This trial more- than satisfied thffe crew, who were confident of success 1 , ,as they knew their time was much under that put up by either Picton or Blenheim. In the race the official time was 11.22, or three seconds longer than the local men c> .trial, and they had the assistance of a , fair breeze, but they could have improved upon the time—which is a record for the course—had they been asked. At the same . time they rowed hard all through, as they were anxious to demonstrate beyond question that they were the best crew in view of being selected to represent the Dominion at Hobart next month, when they will meet the crack crews of Tasmania and the Australian States.

It may be mentioned that arrangements have already been practically made for the Union crew to go to Hobart. The necessary leave has been secured for each of the /men, _ and it is expected they will 'leave here in about a week or ten days’ time for Wellington enroute- for Hobart. The experiences of this' week should put an end to the talk of making Picton the permanent course for the championship regatta. The course is admittedly a very fine one in calm weather, but it has surely been proved an impossible one now by the frequency with which it becomes too rough, to race on. The Association should seriously consider the claim of the Wanganui waver championship course as the finest in New Zealand.

In the Championship Double Sculls, Anderson and Marshall, of the Wangamr R.C., proved much superior to the opposition. They rowked in splendid form, and never gave the others a chance, winning as big a margin as Union won the Champiop Fours. They would take a lot of beating on their present form. Stone and. Harper (St. George, Auckland), sculled very nicely, but had not the weight and strength of the two red and blackss, to whom I must extend hearty congratulations on their well deserved victory.