New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-06-30
THE POUGHKEEPSLE CREWS.
COLUMBIA. CORNELL AND WISCONSIN
FAVORITES.

Poughkeepsie y. Y, June % (SpeciaD.-It is al
most the eve of the intercollegiate regatta and the
is filed with the jolly crowd come 10 witness
what promises TO be the closest. fastest boat
that has ever been rowed over this course. Who
will win. is the question every is asking to-
night. and the question that one can answer
with any certainty, even though basins his asser-
tions the mutabe conditions of form and prac-
tice The victor will be Columbia. Cornell or Wis
consin every admits, but which of the three
Fights Is the best is a problem to which accept
able solution offers itself.
Columbia has made the fastest time row. and on
paper appears 10 be the speediest eight. but public
opinion does not esteem the Blue and White
winner for it is not always form that wins race.
Cornell has not shown up we'll in practice as
Columbia, but because of her previous achieve
ments the crowds here. II there is favorite, seem
TO give the preference to Cornell Wisconsin, how
ever the pucky Western university that sends
crew thousand miles for college rowing laurels,
has no small body of staunch adherents. who be-
that the sportsmanlike efforts of the Western
ers are last to be crowned with victory. But no
one dares proclaim his personal choice an over
whelming favorite for even are the merits of the
three crews that the smallest advantages may have
an important bearing the final result. There is
much difference. for example, in the courses the
outside having the aid of favorable tide while
the inside track the swrling eddies off shore.
sometimes is dlsadvantageous the false tide run
ming opposite to the midstream direction.
Wind, tide and weather conditions never DeIOre,
perhaps. have exercised so important a bearing
upon a varsity race. Each crew expects TO win,
but persons who view the contest from an impair
tiaI standpoint divide the first three places among
Cornell. Columbia and Wisconsin. When pressed
for a more definite statement the majority is per
haps inclined to rank Cornell little above Column
bia and the Blue and White bit above Wisconsin.
This seems to be the general impression tonight,
though tomorrow with it's additional influx of Co
umbia students, may witness change of base.
Such betting there is so far is at even money
either on Cornell or Columbia or to on the field
against Columbia.
COLUMBIA MAY BE THE FAvORITE.
Al the last moment Columbia is likely to leap
into prominence as favorite, for there promises to
be big crowd of Columbia men here with money.
all of whom put great store by Edward Hanlan and
the methods that have enabled him to produce Co
Iumbias undeniably fast Columbia expects
TO win, provided the conditions are good and she
mains in the form she has already shown. Her sup
porters place good deal of reliance her recent
time trial of 1907 lettering the best former record
of 1874 3-5. The crew had had a hard in the
morning. so that they fresh when they
started their performance. With similar weather
conditions and with the in good condition,
Hanlan stoutly that his do the
course I'm 1870 Cornells best trial far has been
1885 and the men let themselves out good bit to
accomplish that feat. On this basis Columbia has
a decided advantage. but time trials are not races
AS far as condition goes Columbia appears to
have outlook good as. If not better than. the
other The temporary indisposition resultant
from the mems in 1907 has entirely disap-
peared. and they look lean, hardy and muscular.
Hanlan says; 81 my men are In condi-
ton, that. whatever else happens, feel conf
dent that they row the four miles without
breaking down. and that is more than some of the
other colleges will accomplish, I think. I expect
my men TO give good account of themselves and,
while don't predict. think they will finish
we'll to the front. The is in the best shape il
has yet been. and look TO IL TO increase Column
bias prestige in rowing" The crew men them
selves pretty much echo Hanlans statements.
THE CHANCES OF CORNELL
OF the three crews which expect victory Cornell
publicly ut least, seems most confident Her re-
lance upon the ability of Courtney TO produce a
winning crew is unlimited The victory of her sec
ond varsity crew at Ithaca on May 80 over the
crews of Columbia and Pennsylvania has given her
additional confidence. The memory of past row
ing victories is a third factor in the hopefulness
and these things figure largely in making her a
popular favorite. In addition. denies that
ehe has fast crew. that rows the prettiest and