The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-07-18
THE COLLEGE ATHLETES.
PRFP1RATIONS FOR THE TRIAL OF
MUSCLE AT SARATOGA.
The University Crews and their Chances
The Freshman Rnces aud single Scull
SpmrIs ThmradnN'a I.rcnI Tournament,

The University Crews and their Chances
The Freshman Rnces aud single Scull
spurts-Thursday's Great Tournament,
SARATOGA, July 17.--Of the six university
crews whose colors wave on Saratoga lake, just
one-haf are from the Empire State, aud Of the
three Freshman crews, two also hail from New
York. Last year thirteen colleges participated
IN the university regatta. The withdrawal Of so
many colleges Is attributable to a variety Of
causes; principally to the hopeless nature Of
their attempt to cope successfully with crews
having so much greater advantages for training,
and partially also to the want Of funds and the
support Of the faculty. A six-oared crew Is an
expensive Institution.
The crews arrived this year earlier than usual
Columbia was FIRST on the scene OF action
month ago, and Cornell, Princeton, and the rest
soon followed
The single scull and freshman races will be
rowed tomorrow morning, and the university
race on Wednesday morning. Athletic sports
on Thursday will wind up the tournament OF
skill and muscle. or these there are sixteen
events. and nearly twenty colleges will be rep
| The following description of the crews will
give an idea Of their probable chances, barring
accidents, In the coming contest. or course,
| there may he a dark horse somewhere.
| IL Is noticeable feature tuat the shells used
are neatly all lighter than those hitherto rowed
In. ana that greater care has been exercised by
| the captains In making up crews IA even AS pos
| stole us regards age, 0elght, weight, ana Otner
| physical qualities Last year the difference be-
| tween the members Of several of tue crews was
strongly marked, and proved fatal defect. All
| the crews are on about the same diet, which Is
| liberal, and there II no marked difference In
| their trdining. Nearly all Of the crew have The
| English stroke, or, rather. some OF the principles
| thereof, with notifications introduced by the
| different captains TO suit their crews or their
| own ideas. The main principle Is the long and
slow stroke OF ~ to % to the minute n slow re-
covery and the avoidance Of the rush forward
care In entering and leaving the water, insurlng
| those important elements. a good catch aud NM
| ish and finally tho bringing all the muscles OF
| the body into play instead Of a part OF them.
IL Is generally conceded that the race lays be-
| tween the Columbia and Cornell crews, au0 the
| contest will be Intensely exciting. The fresh
| man race will also he very interes ting, as the
| three crews are very well matched. The Har-
| ward freshmen are the heaviest, have had an ex-
| celleut coach, and their chances are regarded as
| favorable.
| THE COLUMBIA CREW.
| The blue and white colors OF Columbia wave
| from their old quarters at Farmer Ingram's.
| The crew Ia exactly the same, and the men at In
| joying perfect health and their months hard
| work on the lake has improved them wonder
| fully. though they certainly rOwed In excellent
| form on the Harlem this spring. They brought
| with them from New York Miss Saran Dudlet
| an experienced mistress OF the cuisine. and In
| this respect have had decided advantage over
| the other crews, rs poor diet last year brought
two crack crews To grief. The crew have
| wooden shell built by Fearon ana Waters
| paper boat. IL Is kept strict secret which will
| be used, although there Is little doubt that the
| wooden one will be chosen. 1t Ia "A lighter boat
| by many pounds than the one used last year.
The latsst statistics are as follows: