New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-07-03
WHY CORNELL WON.
COURTNEY'S SCHEME OF MAKING THE
STROKE MOST EFFECTIVE.

The final race of the season is over and the re-
suit Is not changed in any very important degree
by the work Of the crews yesterday. The whole
matter may be summed up In the statement thar
Courtneys crews have shown us combination
stroke that is the finest work we have seen In this
country for many a day In eight-oared shells The
stroke the rowed pretty late last night was, OF
course, the same that rowed on Friday OF last
week, and the comparison between Its value and
those OF Harvard. Yale, Columbia and Pennsylvania
Ia possible. Speaking generally, Cornell was not
pressed as hard yesterday as she was on Friday.
June g. That accounts for the slow time for
the four miles STILL on the other hand. the
race was rowed in much rougher water yester-
dag. In fact. the referee had to delay the start
until long after in order to let the water smooth
down. Toward sunset, at $50, there was vevy
respectable sea on at least below the bridge. and
the trip which the referees boat made down the
course to see how the whole four miles were caused
the delay. There is no question that this was ad-
vsable, for when the crews finally reached the
bridge they found as smooth water for the last
mile they could possibly desire.
In the first mile everybody did a great deal OF
splashing as there a brisk little chop caused
by the southerly wind blowing upstream against
the tide. and Cornell. with her quick recover
lifted considerable water during the first half OF
the race.
The race itself started away in bracing man.
ner. Pennsylvania taking the water with vigor
on the frst few strokes stronger even, though not
az cleaniy as did Harvard the week before. Co.
lumba. on the inside course. came next. with
straiGhtaway strong pull that she kept up through
out the race. Cornell again last in getting
away, and so the boats started down for the first
half-mile point Pennsylvania. with stroke that
was much too vigorous for four-me race. drew
away from both the other boats at once and at the
duarter-miie had good lead. Cornell, still behind
the others. was getting into her regular stroke.
but splashins good DEAL while Columbia still
y,lo hay
strokes to the minute for Cornell. thirty-two for
Columbia and thrty-four for Pennsylvania.
CORNELiiS SECRET OF POWER
There is something In the Cornell stroke which
REQUIRES momentum to make II perfect, for the shell
does not appear easy and does not seem to get any
life In her until she has been under way for short
time. This not only explains the slow start Cor
nell has made in both races. but explains also tho
peculiar half stroke which the Cornell men appear
70 be rowing for the first hundred yards OF the
course. BY the time the boats drew toward the
hs!f-rpilc Gag Cornell was getting out OF the
awkwardness and putting that fine momentum into
the boat which carries II this year so admirably be-
tween strokes. In fact. at the half-miie she had
caught Pennsylvania and at the mile point Column
bia had found Pennsylvania and Cornell was OPEN
ing water fast between her and Pennsylvania.
From that time on to the finish there was no ques-
ton as to the order In which the race would be
rowed Columbia doing far too strong work
oylvanta 10 eaten her, ana COrIel Hdu Sotteu "eH
"A q steady businesslike way ever 10 allow Penn
into that marveously effective leg thrust at the
close Of each stroke which seems 10 be the real
cause Of carrying her ahead between strokes.
The use Of the legs In the Cornell boat by the
way, IL a matter Of detail In the work Of Courtney
this year that is held worthy Of remark and careful
study. II has been and IL somewhat OF a mystery
% many rowing men this year as to what has
carried the Cornell boat forward so steadily be-
tween strokes for the achievement OF this success
has been conceded for years 70 be practically the
same as winning a That Is 10 say, the boat
which keeps her velocity best when the cars are
out OF water Is the which, other things being
more or less equal. wins the race. Courtney has
succeeded In getting this down 10 q finer point
than any other coach this year, and the reason IL
that the thrust with the legs s given just before
the oars come out Of the water and just after the
full pcwer o. the body swing has been given. In
this way the boat is shot ahead just the stroke
ends and that gives bit Of fresh momentum
which Is sufficient TO hold her TO her speed until
tie men can come down on the full reach and take
hold Of the water again. Whether We believe In
the long body swing or TIE short. We cannot deny
that this power put into the oars al the close OF
the stroke Is like an extra push given TO the boat