Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-11-21
THE AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP.
A Great Boat Race Promised for Sat.
urday.


The interest in the comiAk boat race for
championship honors, between John Teemer,
Of McKeesport, Pa, and VIM. OConnor, Of
Toronto, ID rapidly increasing, and there
promises to be large crowd on the banks OF
the Potomac next Saturday afternoon to wit.
mess the race. The lack Of confidence in pro-
fessional races which was at first apparent
among Washington boating enthusiasts
has given place to q conviction that
Saturdays contest will be one Of the
gamest that has ever been rowed. The
stakes of 81, 900 o side guarantee bona fde
race, but In addition the personal relations OF
the two oarsmen are such as to leave no doubt
that each will row the race of his life. Mr.. w.
d: Gibson, who was to act as referee or
select one in his stead, has named
Mr.. J. R. Elder, Of the Columbia ath-
letic club, and both contestants and their
friends express satisfaction with the choice.
Mr.. Elder rowed bow oar in the Columbia four
last year, and previously rowed in the Pennsyl-
vania crew. Besides having had considerable
experience in rowing, he is we'll posted in row.
ing rules, has good judgment and is firm, and II
is expected that he will fill the position to the
satisfaction Of everybody concerned.
THE CONTEST.
The race is to be rowed next Saturday after
noon between 8 and s o'clock, the exact time
to be decided by the referee, who will be
guided by the condition Of water. It is
probable, II everything is favorable, that
the race will, be called shortly after
as possible may have an opportunity Of wit
Messing the race. Those financially interested
In the event, however, express an indifference
as to the size Of the crowd present, asking only
that there be referee and judges and a clear
course, that it may be definitely decided who is
q n Of Ann ha
will be miles over the national course, from a
point near the foot of G street down to point
near the Long bridge and return.
THE CoNTEsTANTs.
Both Teemer and OConnor have been hard
at work since their arrival in Washington, tax
ing long practice pulls twice a day. They are
both in fine condition, and will enter their
boats on Saturday as we'll matched in size,
weight and strength as it is possible. They
will each weigh within a pound of
1ss pounds tS They are both young
skill and endurance. Teemer claims the cham
pionship, but O'Connor holds that he has no
right to it until he has rowed and defeated him
(O'Connor). Teemer could not go to Australia
and row for the worlds championship under
the circumstances without meeting O'Con-
nor, and hence Saturdays race. Those
who have watched the two men at work
say that it is the toss-up Of a penny who will
win. O'Connor appears to be in the best form.
He has the grace Of q Hanlan and like all
Canadian oarsmen has a peculiar feather, not
turning the blade apparently until it en-
tiers the water. If they did not know
who Teemer is and what he
has done they would be inclined to
pick O'Connor as the VICTOR but they know
Teemer generally "gets there" He rows
at least two strokes to the minute faster
than O'Connor and is not as graceful in the
boat. But practice pulls and boat race are
two very different things. Both men are con-
fdent Of victory, and yet neither underesti-
mates his opponent
WHAT o'CoNNoR's BACKER SAYS.
A STAB reporter met OConnor this after
noon, accompanied by his hacker, Mr.. Rogers,
Of Toronto. The latter expressed confidence
in his man by authorizing THE STAR man to
announce that as the articles of agreement
provide that the stakes of $1,000 side may be
mutually increased if desired, he is perfectly
willing to double the stakes at any
time before the race. Mr.. Rogers arrived
here Monday night. He said his man
was q couple Of pounds light, and had been
working too hard, but that he would take
things easier until Saturday. He said that a
hundred and fifty men from Toronto would
come to Warrington in private cars to see the
race, and that anybody who wants to bet on
Teemer can be accommodated to any amount
Mr.. Morris, one of Teemer's hackers, is here,
and Mr.. ST. John, the other hacker, is expected
to arrive before Saturday. A large number Of
sporting men from other cities is expected
here.