New-York tribune., 1897-06-26
STROKES COMPARED.


Now word as 20 the strokes First as 10 their
main appearance. Cornell had the same extraoTdi-
nary brilliant stroke that of the same men
rowed in 1896 Its characteristics the very quick
catch of the water Immediately after going down
TO the full reach. No oarsman who has not seen
this crew row, or rather no oarsman VINO mas not
seen the stroke Courtney has manufactured since
his return from England. can imagine how duich
how clean the catch is. Next Is the recover, when
is so rapidly done that It practically amounts to
Jerk throwing the hands away from the body 40
rapidly that the comes out of the water with
a snap which, II the blade IL not In precisely the
correct angle causes bad watermanship ana
throwing of considerable water. The average
coach on seeing these two motions in "A rowing
tank would say that both were bound 20 Joggle the
boat check her velocity between strokes and make
her settle at the finish very perceptibly. The facts
are however tha; Cornels boat yesterday neither
settled nor slowed up between strokes. though the
water did fly moro than was to be seen IN the
cases of the other two crews.
The effect Of the Cornell stroke, therefore, was
to give one the idea that the crew perhaps failed
10 null II we'll through but otherwise X was the
cleanest neatcst bit Of work on the river these
two years II gave the effect or grace ana lack
Of effort on the part Of tho men, as compared with
the work in the other boats, and that certainly
must have been true. judging from the condition
of the men at the end Of the four miles
The Yale stroke, or the Cook adaptation OF the
English stroke as seen ten years or more ago
was in strong contrast to Courtney's somewhat
English influenced American rowing. Yale pulled a
long SLOW. smooth stroke. Not so much slower by
actual count, but having the effect OF a pendulum
backwarl-and-forward motion without any stop or
s.ow-up ut any point. except, OF course, when di-
rection was reversed. For the first two miles this
steady SWING looked not perhaps. Ike winning
stroke, but like that at any time might be
quickened into spurs, giving the race to Yale
without causing any great surprise In o'hc'
words Yale puilcd the stroke that has come
to he known as the long, even, steady COOK stroke
a strote that has won many race Before now
In better time than was made to-day. Cook had
not changed It except to go back TO first pTincpes
again But tho boat had not tho speed in 1t to
keep up with the Cornell shell
Harvard the other hand, was sad disap-
polntment to every one. even to some OF the Yale
and Cornell rowing men Harvard men especially.
and. for that matter. every one must feel regret
way that has already done sport in the United
States word Of good. should meet with such sig
remember that Lehman, has already been init
mated. came mere TO strange customs cllinailc IN,
make winning race Of IL IL could hardy y,,' ne
In Soct UaTyard should do everything In her power
TO persuade Mr. Lehman TO come here Tor anothcr
which he has obtained this year put III his work
on a crew already brought UP, so TO spe3h on MS
stroke Most people 90 not realize that the nen IN
TIE Harvard boat had not only not been Taught the
English stroke but had actually In nearly every
case been taught different one. Ihey an nad
10 unIearn soneh hing; therefore each had 20 un-
learn much that the others never knew. Lehmann
new crew. green TO rowing. since i Is harder Ia
rowing as il j. in other things. 10 forget fashions
than il il to form new ones Lehmann must come
agaln therefore and take up the men ne knows
now VINO now KNOW him also and something OF
mis- stroke as well. Whether he would win next
year OF rot would be doubtful, stl, bur at az
cventq he has done so much Tor the sport AT
Harvard and ia the United states generally that
we owe it 10 him and 10 Ourselves 10 persuade nm
tr.. not {