THE WORLD’S SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 459, 27 May 1890, Page 2

THE WORLD’S SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

DECISIVE VICTORY FOR KEMP. Sydnbt papers to hand by the s.s. Waihora contain full particulars of the match between Peter Kemp and John McLean for the sculling championship of the world. As we were ioformed by cable, Kemp won, the race for the first mile being the hardest ever rowed on the Parramatta. THE BETTING AT THE START was faster than has been seen for some years’ and the amount of money that change! hands was very large. The public went for McLean, and the books who fielded for the champion laid McLean at 7 to 4 almost as fast as they could write.

McLean won the choice of positions and took up his station on lhe southern side. Tha principal advantage of this was that it gave him the slacK water as far asUhr’s Point, but oiler that it made little or no difference. As they drew up level for the start, both men looked in the pink of condition. The champion rowed at list 2ib, and McLean at list 101 b. The betting was now brisk, 2to 1 being freely offered against McLean. For a minute or so the contestants were almost motionless at the starting point, and then suddenly, amid excited ehouis of uiey'bk off, dashed away at 41 to the minute. The excitement ran high, and ae the men appeared to be keeping level, it grew in intensity. The steamer was some distance astern, and for nearly a minute neither man appeared to be gaining any advantage. Some thought that McLean was holding the dashing Peter, and the cry was raised, "McLean wins.” This, however, was of short duration, as Kemp began to go ahead before reaching Uhr’s Point, and passed there in 1 minute 45 seconds, leading by a quarter of a length. On the stretch across to Blackland’s the difference gradually increased, Kemp rowing at 30 to the minute in beautiful style, whVe McLean's rowing became jerky. It was evident that he was pushed and was rowing all he knew how. On nearing the mile point he spurted, but was unable to materially decrease the distance between the boats. The mile was covered in 6 minutes 16 seconds, Kemp leading by two lengths and a quarter. At this point Kemp was going 29 to the minute, and McLean 30. Conaidering that the men had the full force of the tide against them, the race for the mile was

ONE OF THE BEST EVER SEEN. After this the batting was any odds on the champion, who was rowing a long, sweeping stroke, with plenty left in him, whereas McLean was rowing short strokes and was evidently beginning to be in difficulties. He stuck gamely to his work, however, but showed want of judgment in rowing down mid stream where the current was strongest, while Kemp kept well inshore. When close to Putney McLean again put on a spurt, but it was ineffectual, and when Kemp shot past Putney in 9 minutes 43 seconds, he led him by over three lengths. He still continued to go away, and McLean, who was laboring at bis work, was fully four lengths astern at the Gasworks. Carbarita was reached in 15 minutes 28 seconds, McLean being 18 seconds later. A great gathering of people at Gladesville cheered loudly as Kemp passed there in 16 minutes 40 seconds, with the race well in hand. At One Man Wharf there was another large crowd, and Kemp was enthusiastically cheered as he approached with a lead of seven or eight lengths. The time at that point was 19 minutes 14 seconds for Kemp, with McLean 21 seconds later, and Kemp shot post the post in 21 minutes 46} seconds,

LEADING BT ABOUT BIX LENGTHS. After the race the men shook hands, and as they did so were loudly cheered. Kemp states that the race was, he supposed the hardest he has rowed. He expected that McLean would keep level with him for the first 400 yards and then he would leave him, and he did. He was better boated than he had ever been before, and was in first-rate condition.