The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-02-10
SPORTING GOSSIP.

The rumor that Bob Cook 5 to radically
change the old-time stroke that has won Yale
so many victories, from the long. swinging
stroke 10 one of "A shorter and quicker motion,
has caused considerable adverse criticism
among expert oarsmen. 1t will be remem-
bsred that at the Henley regatta last year.
the Cornell crew. coached by Mr.. Charles
Courtney. used n stroke similar 20 tho one
proposed by Mr.. Cook. a stroke that was not
only too rapid and demoralizing to the crew.
but also caused the shell to sag between each
intervening stroke. and was indirectly tho
cause OF their defeat. Another instance Of the
short stroke. though modified, is found in use
at Harvard. IL is the old Cambridge stroke
long since discarded. one that impells tho
craft forward with an uneven motion. which
is due to the short distance the blade is forced
through the water, the jerky finish aud rapid
recovery. On the other hand, the slow.
swinging stroke distributes the weight Of the
crew very evenly throughout, and gives to the
shell "A motive power both smooth and speedy.
This stroke Is in general use at all the English
universities. and why Cook should desire TO
introduce n stroke that, in all probability,
will characterize some of the faults OF the
short stroke, is beyond the und srstandinc of
III ohTSfucn. inougn III Is ECnerally known
that the Henley course is only a mile and a
half in length, still the necessity OF "A stroke
OF a sprinting character, especially as il is
not usca by the other crews at the regatta, is
beyond understanding.
CANADIAN cLU ACCEPTS.
The challenge sent by the Lincoln Park
Yacht Club OF Chicago 10 tie management OF
A. 49, Ta-N l.
and 6 series of international races will follow
this coming summer. These races will prob.
ably attract considerable attention throughout
the country, and viii be between the vonce.
dor. a 45'foot racing length fin keel OF the
Herresboff order OF the Chicago Cuh. and tho
Zelina, n cutterrigred Fife boat, 99.t6 feet in
length.
u. s. GOLF ASSOCIATION.
At the first annual meeting Of the United
States Golf Association, held ut Dclmonico's.
New York, ON Saturday night, 10 W Is decided
that the championship games OF me associs-
ton should he played on tho Shinnecock Hills
Golf Club links &C SOUTHAMPTON, sometime
between the lat ana 18th Of September. The
Norristown Club course was selected as the
place for the woman's championship, to bo
play ed I'm October.
DAVIS NEW oar uANDLE.
Mr.. NJ. r.. Davis of Portland. Me-, has in.
vented a bicycle handle oar which. he claims,
VIII revolu ion.ze the rowing world. and will
mako a difference OF two minutes or more In
n five. mile race. The principal change IL in
tho handle ~ tho oar. From tina oarlock Ia
tho handles 10 Is Ut steel. and instead of
having the ordinary cylindrical.shaped oar
handle has one like that of "A bicycle swivclled
10 the shank at the inbonrd end. This will
permit Of clean work on the slide. End over
come. the awKwnrd reach demanded by the
usual sweep In an eight Dared sholL IL IL also
claimed that n gain OF nine inches On the reach
and finish. makiug a total of y inches on each
stroke, may be obtained. and this could he
increased 10 inehes more when the pulling 4
more deliberate. The handle bar acts IA n
balance pole. and renders feathering easier.
The new oar l. now ! eing experimental with
ut Harvard. aud ~ its Results are a. success.
full and important NJ y claimed. the Cam.
bridge lads will have an easy thing Of 10 In
the f0ur-cornered race this coming summer.