Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-07-13
The Worlds Champion Oarsman.


peared ill his shell, winning races ovel
all colners. his style has been the sub
ject of criticism and attempted descrip
ton by watermeE and newspaper
wri ers. To the writer who has
watched the champion in practice and
races, no writer seems to have as fully
mastered the reason for his success like
recent critic in the London Sports
man. In the first place he states that
Hanlan has improved greatly in the
past two years. He appears TO have
''filled out" slightly; his muscles, as
in common with men of his age, have
hardened and acquired more power
and his style of propenIng racing
craft has. If anything become more
beautifully perfect. The reasons as
signed for hanlan's progress are that
he has tried every improvement III
boats, fittings and SOULS, has brought
intelligence to bear upon the subject of
sculling. ard has taken wonderful care
of himself. He Is discreet in the selec-
ton OF his food, but has stepped out
side of cherished traditions. He is no
advocate for the consumption of half
raw chops or badly underdone outlets,
winch was once supposed to be SO
strengthening, nor does he entirely
refrain from light puddings or other
little delicacies to vary the daily menu.
He recognizes the theory that the alb
sorption of fluids rather than the con-
sumption of solids prevents the frame
from being relieved of superhuous
flesh. While he does not wholly alb
stain from intoxicants. he has always
been temperate man. Before Ham
Ian will consent to start in a race he
must know by actual trial that his boat
is IN harmony with himself. He adjusts
the boat to his action not his action to
the boat. But the best part of the
criticism relates to his stroke. AS it
displays thorough understanding of
the art of rowing and describes stroke
which has been phenomenally success
full, we give it at length for the benefit
of our aquatic friends The sportsman
says, "hanlan is careful to drop his
sculls in a cleanly and neat style into
the water, not dipping too deep, but
merely exercising caution that the
blades shall be well covered. His
chief strength is exerted when the sculls
are at perfect right angles with the
boat he pulls his stroke through with
an even exertiOn of strength and inva-
riably finishes with powerful
wrench" If that word Is appropriate
IL should be noticed that he never con-
cludes his slide until he has completed
his stroke. Thus the muscles of the
arms, shoulders, back and legs work in
perfect harmony. When he has fin
ished with a vigorous effort he whips
his sculls out of the water like light
ming, and under the influence of his
final "thrust" the boat is naturally pro-
crossing until he gets to work again.
We have seen scores of oarsmen who
put their full power into the initial
effort and closed very languidly. The
mere fact of their allowing the sculls
the drag in the water even for an in
slant must necessarily deprive the
light shell of scme of its "way," and
thus we have that lerky style of pro-
crossing but too commonly noticeable.
We shall not be wrong if we say Han
Ian finishes up quite as strongly as he
begins his stroke, ard we really believe
if some of our representatives will perl
severingIy endeavor to adopt thi-
method they may be gratlfed with tbs
result"