The sun., 1896-06-24
FRESHMEN READY FOR THE FRAY.


PoUGHKEEpsIE, June 23.-Every member OF
the four freshmen crews. who will expend his
last effort for the glory Of his college is fitting
himself for a leading role In the inspiring strug-
gle whose scene will be set the placid waters
OF the Hudson tomorrow afternoon. 1t has
been intimated that the race will not be rowed
until nearly o'clock, but this Ia not so. George
l.. Rives. who will referee the race from the
steam yacht Helvetia. said to-day
Il am particularly anxious that the race shall
be rowed with extreme punctuality. There will
be thousands OF spectators. the entire traffic OF
the West Shore kailro ,d vii! be stopped and
traffic on the Hudson River will be suspended
by authority Of the Federal Government. |
mean to make it ny business to that the
race is started at ALI past o'clock. not tive
minutes nor any other number OF minutes past
that time but at the Very stroke. Last year l
started lie llarvard-HaIe race within oie min
ute Of the time. and II be done again. |
will star; the race even If all the crews are not
on hand. This must be thoroughly understood
BY the oarsnen ana the persons in charge OF the
observation train"
Columbia may not be rowing in quite the form
or withq quite the speed OF Iastyear but her crews
are strong and tul of grit The freshmen will
not give up su long as they can keep ILer oars
going. Harvard's men are a little superior TO
the Colunb bias in strength. and are probably
also superior to either OF the other crews in that
particular. \ feature OF the recent WORK Of
Pennsylvania and Columbia appears to be their
practise in hitting UP the stroke. Both crews
row UP iu thrty-ei.ht n minute in spurts. AID
Pennsylvania ocCa> >lona.ly goes !nOsI TO forty.
cornell rarely goes hDoNe thl!t!-three, while
Harvard Iuws at about thlriy-iour, though the
men can hit II up 20 thlriy.sx and th!rty-eIght.
When asked to-day how many strokes 10 inc
minute the Harvard | M ers!tl would hc Likely
TO row IA tie race Coach Mum;ord looked wise
and SAID that would deprnu altogether upon
WIttntr the crew Is AItaG or ptnlIu. 1 IIt lihr-
ward trcs shim"h do hot TO" amuch faster stroke
than the varsity. Mumloru wien asked IL the
latter had been over the course III !" minutes
and 25 seconds. became non-commIltal. but he
did say that lie thouxht the course
New London, and tina; The race ON
Friday would be rowed il twenty min
The New I.oncon record Is 20 minute, 10 s,c-
onds. held by Yale. The Harvard freshmen ar.
fast lime. The race between the youngsters IS
geueraly believed to lie between Harvard and
work. Harvard is Offering odds of Slo to Sl2
that its freshmen crew VIII via. wh.le Cornell
men have money. but want ODD oi 10 3 FennI
syivania's crew may prove to be SURPRISE. and
many OF the local narnn,rn say II the crew does
MOI win it will have place near the front.
caused by a s;ron. ehb tide and II northwest
wind. Coach Courtney and, MS men walked
down to the boathouse. but the lthacan coach
Columbia's crew sought the quiet cove just
below the quarters but could not do
men did. however. do considerable practising
at blade work. Harvards crews rowed up
the river above their boathouse. short
distance. but returned inside OF half AN hour.
Coach Ward has been noted Tor training his
men in rough water and This morning WAS no
exception. The Varsity men launched their
smell about 10 O'Clock. and soon they
started the coach instructed them to get on, IN
the river further where they could get used 10
the rough water. They did and rowed up the
river nearly To the starting point aud returned.
The wind died out during the afternoon and
the water WAS exceedingly smooth. For the
first time since the arrival Of the crews they
were all out together IL was pretty sight.
and the shores were lined with spectators
watching the movements OF the oarsmen.
During the height Of the trai hing two tugs, the
river with n string OF boats al brcakneck speed.
Wards launch blew a signal to slow down.
which the steamers did. several of the crews
came very near being turned over. lennsyi-
vanlA's freshmen gave an excellent exhibition OF
starting. The coach was IN the launch. ana after
shouting. " Are ynu ready, gentlemen lie fired
the shot. Every man caught the water ut the
same time, and after AN easy tug at tho first
stroke they put forth all their strength and
was repeated time and again. and when the
crew had housed their shcl! tho coach said he
was satisfied that the men would make good
showing in tho race The Harvard freshmen
expect to win Tomorrow, and klchhrds's crew
will certainly make them row to do II.
The river WAS dotted with pleasure yachts to-
night. Many visitors have arrived in town.
among whom are Josh and George Ward. tho
veteran oarhmcn. Tho local committee has com
the conditions are favorable a great race may
be e Il