The times., 1899-06-27
Penn AND CORNELL WIN
Results of the First Days Races on
the Hudson.
Both Races Magnifcently Contested
Perfect Weather and Water Con-
dftions PrevaiI-Thousands of En-
thusiastic Followers Witness the
Observation-Disclosures Poor Showing.

Poughkeepsie, N. Y, June 26.-The Uni
versities of Pennsylvania and Cornell
course this afternoon In two intercollegiate
races that were witnessed by thousands of
enthusiastic followers. The four cared
crew of Old Penn defeated Cornell's
four in impressive style over a two-mile
course as sort of preliminary, while the
freshman eight of Cornell rowed away
from the youngsters of Columbia and
Pennsylvania in their annual struggle over
a similar distance. The weather condi-
tions were perfect, the water all that
could be desired, and both races were mag
nificently contested.
The four-oa event was the first of
its kind in some years, and while it did
beforehand, ii served to work up the
crowd to a high pitch of enthusiasm. The
result of this match was a surprise in
that it had been reported that the Penn
sylvania four was made up of almost green
material, which had been rather hap-haz-
ardly nodded into form by the coach, Ellis
Ward, in the last two weeks. The fact
that coxswains were not used created the
belief that each crew had an equal chance
as to straight steering, but Cornell was
generally regarded as the probable winner
because of experience and the careful in
struction of Coach Charles E. Courtney.
1t was only few moments after the start,
however. when the rowing experts appre-
ciated the fact that the Quakers had the
stuff in them to pull out a victory and
when they took the lead before hundred
yards of water had been covered it was
all over but the shouting. Cornell's four
were game to the marrow and rowed
superbly against what was inevitable de-
feat, but the Philadelphia crew. working
like a well oiled machine, swept on to
the finish and won by length and quar-
ter, in IL minutes, IL seconds.
The victory Of the Cornell freshmen was
equally impressive. The stroke applied
by them was the same that Courtney's
crews have always shown. 1t was smooth,
well-timed and powerful, the shell losing
no headway between pulls and the water
manship being as clean cut as any critic
would wish to see. Almost from the start
Cornell had lead that could not be over
ttIht liudCtilb uelu II sO we'll
hand that they were never in real danger
They did very little squirting and seldom
increased their stroke above twenty-four.
They were easily length and a half
ahead at the finish, and were so fresh that
they turned their shell about deity, and
proceeded quite distance homeward be-
fore their launch picked them up.
The battle between Columbia and
Pennsylvania for second place was of the
hair-raising order within half a mile of
the finish when the New Workers, in q
valiant effort to overhaul the Comedians,
drew away and had two lengths the better
of the Quakers at the end. But for more
than half the distance after Referee Arm
strong, of Yale fired the starting gun, the
two crews fought desperately for second
honors. There was hardly any difference
between them. first one having a slight
advantage and then the other. The ply
steal condition of the Quakers, though
was what told in the last rush. and as they
were outclassed in this respect by the
Blue and White there was nothing left
fer them but the tail end.
So much dependence had been placed
on the crew that quite bit of money
was dropped by the Columbia adherents
The management of both races was per-
feet. and, as it turned out, the handling
Ol lue ODSeTNdllOu tram was satisfactory.
1t had been announced that the four
cared race would be started at o'clock
and the freshman race an hour later, but
on account of the tide, the races were put
off an hour.
1t was exactly 5:11 when the race be-
gan, and the crowd was telling itself
hoarse. Cornell had the inside position.
The Quakers got away much better than
the Ithacans, but before 100 yards of water
had passed the Pennsylvania, pulling a
clean-cut stroke Of thirty-siX, forged 10
the front. The Quakers gained steadily
and at the half mile they had a length
of clear water. They were rowing a thirty
four stroke and getting all the speed pos
sible out of their boat.
Pennsylvania continued to row IN fine
form and at the mile were two lengths to
the good while the Ithacans were splash
ing badly.
Then Cornell, game to the last. sprinted,
but the Quakers were only fooling it ap-
peared, for they put on a squirt themselves,
and, rowing a clean thirty-tive, they drew
away again. Old Penn got over the
finish line in pretty style about a length
and a quarter ahead, her time being II
minutes and IL seconds. Cornell came
along gamely and finished in II minutes
IA 3-5 seconds, which was not such beat
ing after all.
The freshman race was started promptly
at o'clock. Columbia had the outside
place, Cornell was in the middle, with Old
Penn nearest the west bank. Columbia S
eight caught the water first with such a
powerful jerk that the shell almost jumped
up foot. Cornell and Pennsylvania got
away together in a wild scramble. The
Ithacans settled back in two strokes to row
with precision and steadiness, and got the
lead inside of the first fifty yards At the
quarter mile mark Cornell led by a bare
quarter of a length. Columbia and the
Quakers, both rowing thirty-three, were so
even that nobody could tell which was
ahead. Cornell's quarter length lead had
been doubled, however, when the half mile
flag was reached. though ii was still even
up with the other two
More than three parts of a length had
been earned by the Comedians when they
shot past the three-quarter mile mark
Columbia, with another fight of speed
had leaped ahead of the Quakers, but the
lead was merely temporary, as the Phila-
delphians hit up their stroke to thirty-si
and once more drew on even terms with
the New Workers.
Nearing the bridge Columbia tried an
other little spurt. 1t was effective enough
to land the shell a quarter of a length
ahead of the Quakers and one length be-
hind Cornell Pennsylvania overhauled
them a moment later, but it was the be-
ginning of the end, as far as Old
Penn was concerned, for Columbia drew
away once more and was never caught
afterward.
At the mile ard a half Columbia put on
squirt more desperate than any OF the
preceding ones. The New York shell
quickly shot forward until the bow was
tapping the stern of Cornell's boat. The
Cornell youngsters were so surprised at
the nerve and stamina of their Columbia
rivals that for the first time since they
left the start they showed a slight irreg
ularity in form. 1t was not a lasting de-
LII 4.