The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-06-27
Result or THE REGArTA.
IT VIII Give New Impetus 10 Rowing
Among Virginia Boat Clubs.

The annual State regatta, which was
rowed on the Appomattox just below
| Petersburg on Saturday afternoon,
formed the principal subject Of CONVEX
sation yesterday among all friends Of
| aquatic sports Those who went were
/ unanimous in their opinion that they had
never seen a better race. and the stay-at-
| home fellows were ready TO admit that
they missed a great deal by not going
over 10 the COckade City
The members of the Appomattox Club
and the citizens Of Petersburg generally
came in for a large share of praise for
the hearty welcome which they extended
10 all visitors The course, while not as
wide as the one on the James river from
the monitors 10 Warwick Park, impressed
all very favOrably the water Of the
AppomattOx being far more prOpitiOus 10
boat racing than that Of the James.
The regatta itself was highly satsfac-
tory I'm every respect, and passed off with
out the slightest dispute. II was the most
harmonious event that ever took place in
this State or anywhere else. The victOrs
We're of course. glad that they carried
off the palm, but at the same time they
Acknowledged in the most chivalresQue
manner the noble work done by their COM
peutors; the vanqushed when asked for
an explanation as to their defeat. gave
only one cause, that they had been out
rowed
While the programme contained only
three events, each one of them was wit
messed with the greatest interest The
single scdn race proved that Welsh of
the Virginia Club. had not over-estimated
his strength and skill; although he had
been in training only eight or nine days
before the race. he took the lead at the
start and kept IL up TO the finish.
The junior fOur-Oared gig race was a
very interesting and exciting one. The
crews of the Virginia and Appomottox
clubs were about evenly matched in their
skill of rowing, with possibly a slight
advantage in favor Of the former The
familiarity with the course. however.
helped the Petersburg boys and secured
them the victory by half a length.
The result OF the senior race for the |
French cup was a great surprise TO most |
OF the spectators. The friends Of the |
Richmond College Club felt confident |
that there crew would be victorious, and /
the numerous friends of the Virginia |
they did not express them
selves publicly 10 that effect-went 10 |
Petersburg with the expectation to see |
their favorites beaten as in the past two
years. Reid. Clement and Athey, Of the
College Club. had been members of the
victorious crew In the two former occa-
sions while in the Virginia crew Petit
rolas was the only one who rowed against
hem both times, Pegram and Adams each
being members OF the competitive crew
but once. The fact that College crews
are at an advantage in preparing them
selves for boat races for the reason that
they can give more time to careful and
systematic training than business men,
S admitted all over the Union, and II Is
,iearly demonstrated inasmuch as
amateur clubs. composed Of business men,
rs rule do not care 10 row against col
ege crews.
The Virginia Club. as far as I know.
Is the only one in this county which has
been willing year after year 10 compete
with college crews The Nirgnia's crew
lS 1t stands at present. is perhaps the
best one which that club ever had. The
rowing OF the Nirginias was as perfect as
{ can be seen In any boat race, and posi-
'iy the only criticism that might be
made is % be found IN the fact that
hey changed their stroke from % anf %
O 40 and A. the quicker stroke preventing
hem from putting their fun weight to
he oars. The College crew experienced !
he superiority Of the Virginia crew over
hose of the two last years. for when
hey reached the finish about a length
head Of the .Nireinias. they were rowed
iWost 20 Il standstiu
Saturdays regatta has greatly aided
n increasing the interest In rowing. and
IS expected that next year several other
rews will participate In the races There
; already some talk that the Rives Of
he University viii be revived with q
lew to entering the race for the French
IN.