SCULLING.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12145, 8 December 1908, Page 5

SCULLING.

THE . WEBJB-ARNST MATCH

I Mr George Whelch, the. Akaroa oarsman. accompanied by Mrs Whelch, ar-; rivecl in Wanganui by the mail train yesterday afternoon. Mr AVhelch % intends staying hero until after the race between Webb and Arnst, and it is not unnkely that a race may bo arranged between Whelch and Fogwell (Arnst's Pacfil')otn Webb and Arnst went over the fllli ?o"i"se yesterday, and both seemed* io Sive ev«ry satisfaction to their res Pect" r° admirers, both parties being ? on' fideilt of success. They are both dolllg Sood, solid work and there is not "^'slightest doubt that both men will goJ° the Post Tcry fitMessrs' Tuck and Hatrick were up the river yesterday, arranging for the im-

provement of the landing stage, and every consideration will bo given to the convenience of the onlookers. Study of the sightseers promises to be an outstanding feature of this race, as Mr luck is. sparing no expense to ensure xho comfort of all who will be goino- up the river on the 15th. Hotel accommodation m the town is already beine; booked, and besides the New Zealanders who are coming from a distance there will be a large number of Australian enthusiasts arriving in "Wellington this week.

"Scull" writes as follows in the "Evening Post" : People are watching the final preparations of Webb and Arnst with an interest that is growing keoner every day. The bubble of excitement which is swelling with every hour,looks liko ■almost reaching bursting point before tho 15th. Opinions are rite as to the likely winner, and the contestants have numerous followers, making it difficult to gauge with any degree of accuracy the ono most fancied by rowing men. 'The man in the street, however, invariably favours Arnst, because he has somuch power behind his sculls. Stanbury was a man of enormous muscular strength, and so was Tresidder, but on the days they lilted against "Webb they exhibited a deficiency in the proper application olthat essential power. Th 6 diampion, though less powerful than Arnst, is wiry, and applies his strength with, every evenness. I cannot^rniike mygelf believe: ,that superior skill will bow to superior strength, and that is why I think the champion will retain his title. The* race will mean for Webb a desperata fight, as the challenger's determination not to acknowledge defeat until it has actually come proves. On the other hand, the champion is iioror seen to better- advantage than 'when waging one of those keeii"battles which -the. British public like to wit-' ness.. :. ■ ■ • ,

Contrastina; thpir races on tha Parramatta river, the difference in time was only fractional. Webb covered the mile in omin . 40s?c,' two . .miles in llmin 52se;r, and full distarioe in SOmiu 45sec. Arnst negotiated the first mile in Smin •1l?ec-. (J:\vo miles hi llmin 55sec, and full dkt-ance in 20min 50ses. The competitors therefore are. particularly well matched. It has been.fully, demonstrated on different occasions that the oaremen aro men of exceptipnal ability, and tho pick of the world's'scullers, and that, fittingly enough, therefore, they com© together, in whatever condition, their arduous training may leave th^m, on the 15th- December.