New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-08
YdLES DEFEAT.

Yale was not only beaten yesterday at Henley,
but made rather less crectable showing than
had been expected. Few persons here or in
England who were competent to form an opin-
lon thought that the American oarsmen could
defeat the Leander eight under such conditions
as prevailed when the race was called. That
IS to say. II the weather put the crews on as
even terms as possible 1t was generally felt that
the EnglIshmen would win The terms are
often very uneven at Henley. and an accidental
advantage of wind and water might have
changed the result We are glad that Yale did
not have such piece Of luck, even though the
consequence was more complete demonstra-
ton Of her inferiority than we had looked for
The American Oarsmen were certainly not dis
graccd They pulled d hard and plucky race
from start to finish. though they had little
power left when they crossed the line.
The keenest disappointment will perhaps be
caused by this feature Of the race. as well as
the greatest surprise. 1t has been assumed
that 0arsmen seasoned by the system Of Yale
training would at least last well and come ill.,
whether ahead or behind. with something In
reserve. 1t has not troubled Yale crews much
TO win long succession OF victories mt New
London over fOur-mile course, and 1t was not
generally expected that mile and third OF
Henley water would use the Americans up
But 1t would be unjust to conclude that they
were ill-trained. or overturned or originally
lacking I'm stamina, for the two cases are radi-
caly different. 1t Is conceded that the Henley
course, short In distance though It is, is a
heart searcher." The race is q continual squirt
from the word go" and men who have not
been specifically prepared for It are certain to
wish they had been. Nc recover, Captain Cook
Is doubtless right In saying that the quality of
the water as well as the character Of the race
requires modification of the usual Yale meth
DDS and equipment.
These are some Of the useful suggestions
which the Yale men will bring home with them,
and their experience will be Of advantage to any
crew hereafter cOntesting in England. At the
same time yesterdays race fOrcibly illustrates
the disadvantages which any crew is likely 10
encounter which crosses the Atlantic in either
direction 1t Is not improbable that the Lean
der eight would have been beaten in four-mile
struggle in American waters after only three
weeks practice here. by the men whom they
have so decisvely vanQuished. Where the su-
premacy would remain, If 1t were possible TO
bring the two crews together under conditions
to which both were equally accustomed, 1t Is
open to anybody to judge for himself. Such
conditions can, in fact, never be established.
English experts have praised the Leander crew
highly, while the Yale crew was not considered
by American experts to be equal to some Of its
predecessors So that there Is still future.
Over the English course English ideas Of rig
and stroke were clearly indicated; the race was
handsomely and easily won; the American oars
men have nothing for which to reprOach them
selves, and altogether the experience has been
fortunate, though far from triumphant