New-York tribune., 1901-06-23
FOUR MILE RECORD BROKEN.
COLUMBIA VARSITY EIGHT DOES DIS
TANCE IN 19:07-BEST ONE MILE AND
TWO MILES ALSO MADE.
(BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.1

[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl
Poughkeepsie, N " June 22.-That Columbia
on form has the best chance for victory in the
boatraces here on July no doubt.
for to-day the Columbia varsity eight smashed
all records for the mile two mile and four
mile rows by covering the regatta four-mile
course in the remarkable time of 1907. This is
a feat which other eight-oared crew in the
world has ever done. The nearest approach to
it In 1896. when Cornell was reported to
have covered the course in 1920 but the re-
gatta officials did not allow the time as the Of
ficial record. They say that the official record
is 1914 80. made by the Pennsylvania Henley
crew here last June. The best previous record
for the mile is 4;45, though there is no official
record accessible
Columbia's first two miles were done in 4:40
and 4:2o, respectively, each bettering the for
mer mark. The first two miles were rowed IN
9:O5. ecpsing by fourteen seconds the best pre-
vious time of 919, made by the Yale freshmen
in 1895 The varsity, therefore. broke three
records, and consequently it is little wonder to-
night that those who hold dear the Blue and
White are supremely happy. The freshmen, too.
did good work, rowing two miles in $50, four
teen seconds better than the time made by Wis
consin's winning freshmen last year. Edward
Hanlan characterizes the 'varsity's work as
simply marvellous He said he had never seen
a boat travel so fast before, and Messrs Bangs
and Cowles. Columbia graduates prominent in
rowing, asserted that ii the fastest
without exception that Columbia has had.
Mr.. Simmonds. who stroked the winning Column
bia four in 1874. and has seen nearly every uni
versity since then, said the same thing.
There were mutual Fluctuations and cheers.
Hanlan thought the most remarkable feature of
the that the varsity had had a hard
six mile in the morning. which took the
starch out of them
The varsity started in it's trial from the finish
Of the four mile course, the freshmen were sent
ahead TO the bridge to pick up the first boat
T. cam along. The tide was running slowly
water. so that all the conditions favorable
Stroke Meier sent the varsity ahead at a stiff
thirty-four stroke. which, though not rapid,
immensely powerful. and sent the shell flying
for mile The time 40. and from then
on there was no question that the record would
began at thirty-siX stroke. Then Meier and
the varsity exerted their SdPreme power. and
at stroke varying from thjrty-eight to forty.
they covered their second mile in 4:23, Overtak-
ing the freshmen, despite the handicap of rollers
from two passing boats.
At the finish of the freshmen's second mile,
where they dropped out. the VARSITY was lead
ing by three-quarters of length. The third
mile. in 400, had been great strain. but now
came the most terrible work OF all The hard
practice OF the morning began 10 exert it's in
fuence the staying power OF The men. They
pulled desperately fired by the example OF
Meier. who drove the boat at thirty-six
stroke. The mems faces drawn and set,
f. dun, mottled red from the fearful exertion.
Instinct and months of training stll kept them
in form. ard constantly keeping together they
swsp. the boat forward in tired strokes. They