New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-29
YALE'S VARSITY RACE.
BLUE WINS FROM CRIMSON
AFTER HARD CONTEST.
HARVARD VICTOR IN FOUR OAR AND
FRESHMAN RACES HARDINGS
CONDITION SERIOUS
rBr TELEGRAPH TO rHa ramuxE.I

CBY TELEGRAPH THH TzIBUxE-I
New-London, Conn. June 2S.-Yale IS the win
ner. Harvard was victorious in two races out OF
the three but they were the lesser struggles. And
Yale is only moderately happy, because she won
the chief prize from an unlucky foe Thefour mile
varsity struggle belongs TO the Blue by mar
gin Of seven or eight lengths. while Harvard Is
again mourning over the unIucky mlshap which
deprived her OF her captain and stroke at the
eleventh hour. For Harvard lost the great race
in the last half mile through the utter collapse
OF her stroke. He tainted and fell forward into
the coxsvain's lap. while the Yale crew. which
was behind at the three mile flag, swept 20 the
fore and crossed the line an easy victor Har-
wards shell trailing behind with only seven men
at the oars and carrying the hapless Harding
as a passenger in the stern
Every one must regret such an unfortunate
incident as the closing spectacle Of what had
undoubtedly been the hottest four mile race that
the old time rivals Of the Blue and the Crimson
had ever rowed. It had been neck and neck
all the way down the course. Harvard had
caught the water first. and in the first few
strokes had obtained a length 10 the good
Then Yale settled down 10 steady work, and
inch by inch began cutting down the lead. till
she was on even terms Bit by BIT the dark
blue craft urged its way TO the front, till at the
two mile flag the Yale boat was quarter length
better than Harvard II was a bare margin, but
enough TO set the Yale cars a-rOaring with de-
light
This was the time that Harvard began TO
squirt, and in series OF splendid sprints the
Harvard crew ate UP Yale's advantage. and at
the three mile flag crept 70 Ihe front By a
good half length. Any advantage at this stage
of four mile race means much Harvard be-
came wildly elated, and Yale began TO look
worried and rnOrOse. Harvards shell was NOV
ing forward without the slightest check. while
YaIe's shell seemed 10 halt perceptible trihe
at the recover
It's Harvard's race and three straight
AGAIN. came the cry from the crimson thrOnged
benches OF the observation train
HARDING's SUDDEN COLLAPSE
But then came disaster. sudden. swift and
sure. Spent by that last fearful spurt the
Harvard stroke began 10 weaken after the
fourth mile was we'll under way. It was near
the three and oue-ha1f mile flag that he sud
denly lost control OF his oar. which few Up into
the air. while Harding himself fell forward un-
conscious. The brave little ccxswain did his
level best Gathering the rudder lines into one
hand. with the other he leaned over and spIashed
water into the face OF the fainting oarsnan-
The other seven men never faltered AOr an in
stant. Sheafe, the new captain. set the stroke
and the six men behind followed him with grim
strength that swept the shell still forward at a
rapid pace
The cool water dashed into his face revived
Harding a trihe. and ne raised himself Up. dirnly
conscious or what was passing. His first in
stinct was 10 reach for his lost oar He made
desperate effort 10 grasp IT and get back into
the swing But he was utterly spent. and. faint
ing again almost toppled from the she'll Only
the coxswain kept him in the boat and IN the
effort the little steersman was compelled TO let
the shell swing OUT OF its course.
The Yale cOxswain was quick 20 see Harvard's
trouble. and when Harding first feu forward the
Yale man in the stern sheets passed the word
along and Yale hit up her stroke at a clip that
soon carried her to the front. AT the three and
one-half mile flag she was on more than even
terms. and in the last quarter mile stretch, when
Harding had given UP entirely. Yale increased
the distance by leaps and bounds for Harvard
was hopelessIy out OF it.
YALE TRIUMPH DESERVED.
YaIe's victory was deserved No one can say
positively that il would not have been won had
Harvard been in perfect shape. Yet it is due TO
Harvards plucky crew and 10 her unlucky
stroke oar 10 say that Hardings collapse at
stroke had been an ever present fear OF the
Harvard coaches for the last three days. Only
last night at the Harvard quarters one OF the
head Harvard coaches remarked TO an intimate
friend that he should not be at all surprised TO
see Harvard's new and unrried stroke go to
pieces in the last mile OF the struggle This fear
was hinted at in The Tribune dispatches last
night for there was the best reasons for Il
Harding, OF a highly nervous temperament
though full OF courage, lost several pounds after
he was transferred 10 stroke. and the strain
vas simsly TOO much for him The lesson for
Harvard Is not 10 allow her crew captains 20
play three old cat in a field stubbly and full OF
holes just four days before the race
CONSULTATIONS FOR THE CRIMSON.
Harvards cup OF woe. moreover. is by no means
brimming fun for she has two wins. even though
minor ones. against Yale's one victory. After
the first half mile OF the four Dared race there
was apparently nothing that could head or the
Harvard boat Her men held themselves well
in hand and. rowing easily. crossed the line a
good four lengths better than the Blue The
form OF the Crimson boat was weHnigh perfect
and there was nothing 70 Indicate that the oars
men were making TOO great an EFFORT Their
craft sped through the water as gently and
smoothly as on practice pull while Yale halted
WEST
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