SCULLING

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2522, 8 June 1909, Page 2

SCULLING

THE WORLD'S CHAMPIONSHIP.

Referring to the coming race for the sculling championship, “Victor” writes in the Wanganui “Herald”: —The second deposits of £IOO each man have been made good, and the stakenoldor (the editor of the “Herald”) now holds £2OO from each man. The final deposits- of £3OO each will be made good >a fortnight hence. Both men have done a lot of good work during the last few days. The other day Webb covered about two miles in his new boat at a very solid pace all the way, finishing up his task in a. style which proved that his condition was tip top. He set off at a fast pace and maintained it right through, sculling in a very pleasing and clean style, His rate of stroke averaging about 27 for the whole distance. The spin was a most satisfactory one, proving as it did that tho ex-champion is in excellent form, and that- the new boat is a really good one. Arnst also has put in some splendid rowing recently, and has had a couple of ding-dong goes with Fogwoll over two miles on the championship course. In these spins the champion drove his boat along at a remarkably fast rate, and was going strongly at the finish, testifying to tiie fact that he is very fit already. An impression appears to prevail that Arnst will not be able to get down to rowing weight at this season of the year, and that he is not likely to be so well a,s lie was last December. However, lie is now only some 31b over the weight at which he wants to row (13.3), and I think he is going to demonstrate on the 22'nd inst., that he is a faster and hotter sculler than lie was when lie won the title. Even so, he will probably find that in Webb lie is up against a doughty opponent, a man who will keep him at top all the way, and perhaps beat him home. There are those who, though quite willing to acclaim Arnst as a champion worthy to rank with Searle, Beach, Hanlan, or any other sculler who ever held the title, yet won’t give Webb credit for being a really great sculler. They’ll probably have reason to alter their opinion 011 the 22nd inst. On Sunday week last the weather conditions were beautiful for rowing, and the river bore a very animated appearance between the town and Aramoho. Webb and Whclcli came' down tho river, accompanied by Alarshall and Christiansen, three or four other scullers being picked up, whilst a couple of fours were also out. The ex-cham-pion and liis pacer did a long steady row, finishing up with a sprint, in which Webb showed pace which 'was a revelation to some who had not seen him sprinting before. In the. afternoon a number of enthusiasts paid ii visit to .Arnst’s training quarters, where the champion was found to be very comfortably situated. He and his party have a nice little cottage fo live in on Air R. Earle’s property, and they appear to be a very happy little company. The party consists of the. champion and his pacer (W. Fogwell), J. Arnst (who attends to the rubbing down of liis brothel Dick). Harry Floyd (advisor general), and a cook. The boats arc housed down by the riverside, where a ten! is pitched for. dressing and massaging purposes. Everything seems favorably for Dick to get thoroughly well, and if appearances both in and out of thl boat go- for anything, then Arnst shou.d be as fit as ever He has been in hi:l‘ life ori the eventful day. No wonder lie and liis friends are looking forward with every confidence to the result.