New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-24
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THE TRIUMPH OF CORNELL.

Cornell has won a second victory over Yale
and Harvard in impressive style, and, though
she has another race TO row next week at sara
toga already holds In general estimation Sc
cure place at the head Of the rowing colleges OK
America Yesterdays contest on the Thames
substantially repeated the story Of last year on
the Hudson, but afforded an even more decisive
demonstration of superiority, to judge from the
broad facts Of the record. For the conditions
were not OF Cornell's choosing, the change from
an inland lake to the coast was presumptively
a disadvantage. and yet there was longer
stretch Of clear water between Cornell and Yale
ut the finish than there was year ago Nor
does II appear that the victors were more dan
gerously pressed at any stage Of the struggle or
had less in reserve when 1t was over. Yale, as
always. rowed the race through 20 the finish
without flinching, but was further behind by
four seconds than she was last June when she
crossed the line The time, to be sure. was
much slower but that is test to which oars
men Of experience pay little or no attention.
Conditions Of wind and current and tide and
quality OF water are so dlssmilar on different
courses and in different years the same
course that no trustworthy comparisons can be
based upon time records. There has been for
example, on the Thames in Yale and Harvard
races a margin Of more than five minutes be-
tween the fastest and the sowest victory. II
is the belief of competent observers that the
Cornell crew was quite as good yesterday as the
same men. with one exception, were year ago.
1t could probably have lowered the time some
what If It had been pushed. but obviously il
could not have cut of more than three minutes.
The prophets picked the winners easily enough,
though their predictions may have been based
upon the sentimental preference which Cornell 3
Unforeseen victory last year created rather than
upon an astute judgment OF her merits; but
again they overestimated Yale's efficiency. A
closer contest was expected, and consequently
not only the partisans of Yale. but all who
hoped to have twenty minutes of breathless ex-
element. were disappointed. Cornells power
had been pretty clearly indicated at the end Of
the first mile and Yales infcriority was not in
serious doubt after the halfway flag had been
passed. As for Harvard she was never really
In the race from the start, but repeated almost
exactly her melancholy experience OF last year.
though possibly with less visible appearance of
row as many different strokes as there were
men in the boat. but they had had more than
enough at the finish and were a worse third
than they were year ago
Such. In brief, is the history of race which
had been looked forward to with eager interest
not merely as an exhilarating exposition of the
finest OF athletic arts. but likely to throw
much light upon the vexed question Of strokes
and perhaps TO settle It decisivey for American
oarsmcn. II is too soon TO say whether the test
will be deemed conclusive by the rowing au-
thorities of Yale and Harvard-Cornelrs opin-
ion for obvious reasons. being in no need OF re-
vison-but assuredly the last two years have
given the faithful disciples Of Mr.. Cook and the