Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-07-02
THE YALE MEN At HENLEY.
Great Interest Manifested in the Ameri-
can 0arSmen.
On All Sides the New Haven Boys
Are Classed as Thorough Gentle
men and Sportsmen Of the First
Water Will Make a Hard Pull
for the Challenge Cup.
(COpyrlght, Associated PressD

Copyright, Associated Press)
Henley-on-Thames, July 1.-The
near approach OF the days set apart
for the Royal Henley regatta, July 6, Z,
s and 8, is increasing the already very
great interest manifested in the gallant
young Americans who are going to up
hold the glorious traditions of Yale on
the Thames. From the first moment
of their appearance here up to the pres
ent they have steadily improved in
form. and have just as surely won the
appreciation Of the press and public.
On all sides the New Haven oarsmen
have classed as thorough gentlemen
and sportsmen of the first water. Con-
sequently, however strong may be the
desire among Englishmen to see the
Grand Challenge Cup successfully de-
Tended by a home crew. nobody Will
begrudge the Yale boys the victory If
they defeat the crack crews of Britain,
and their triumph is certain TO be greet
ed almost as enthusiastically as if Le-
ander or New College turned out to be
the winners.
Good feelings prevails on all sides,
the cup of goodfellowship is overflow
ing. and when the rival crews measure
oars on Tuesday next it will be in
healthy. honest rivalry, with no tinge
Of bitterness on either side
The withdrawal Of the Eaton school
boys having been gracefully brought
about, there win be no necessity for
rowing a trial heat for the Grand on
July 9Th. and the first contest for that
trophy will therefore occur on the day
following
A change for the better in many re-
spects was made in the Yale boat to-
day. The English cars have been tried
and found not adapted to the Yale
crew. As result they have been dis
carded and Americans oars will carry
the sons of Old Eli to victory or de-
feat.
There is no oyer-confidence about the
crew among their friends, but they viii
dotheirbest, are in the pink of condition
and will at least come very near cap
turing the Grand. This is about the sit
uatiOn Of affairs from the American
standpoint, although Bob Cook APP
pears to look gloomy, shakes his head
somewhat despondingly, and intimates
that he is not satisfied with the work
of his pupils. But Bob" Cook has
been known to the same thing many
times before. and then have his crew
walk away from their opponents, TO the
great dismay OF the latter. In fact. the
throwing Of cold water uopn the chan
Ces of Yales crew is in some quarters
looked upon as being an old trick Of
the master coach; so, not much inn
pCrtarce is attached I0 his cloudy
fOrabodiues. Everybody about the
Yale headquarters hopes for the best,
and few people would be astonishe5 10
see the dark blue of Ya,e driven 10 vic
tory on the Thames.
Mr.. Cook has not been too proud to
try everything In the English style OF
rowing which locked likely to be ad-
vantageOus to Yale and this policy. in
stead of being sneered at has met with
the heartiest approval from the oars
men and critics Of England
The Trinity Cambridge people have
been particularly courteous TO the
Americans. J. B. Close. the coach Of
that colleges frs. crew, has done every
thing possible to assist Mr. Cook in his
work, and when Clarke, the c0Xswain
Of the Yale boat, was under the weather
the c0xswain Of the first Trinity took
his place and thus added 10 the good
feeling existing at Henley.
Bob" Cook this morning. was out on
horseback and put the Yale men ov.r
the second half of the course in 3.25,
with a SO stroke. This is the best
time vet made. and it has done much 10
give confidence to the Americans and
their supporters.
The New college crew did the same
distance in the same time a Few days
ago. but under better conditions
There was strong rind on the Bucks
shore this morning and heavy Iog
made matters still more unc0mioria-
bic. but the Yale boys were out Tor
early practice. They were compelled
however. 20 wait unit, II o'clock for inc
ends of their slides TO be lowered ana
placed az the angle they occupied pre-
vo!us to trying the England style or
even slides The men then did some
short stretches above the bridge with
the old cars and slides in regular posi-
ton and pronounced themselves as be-
ing better satisfied. Mr. Cook during
this preliminary work coached the crew
from a pair-oar and seemed better sat-
fsfed than for some days past.
Clark. the American cOXs vain, was
wei enough to te In the Yale boat. and
handed the rudder ropes admirably, IN
spite Of the fact that he was all mufi-
cd up.