New-York tribune., 1901-07-06
LEANDER THE WINNER.
PENNSYLvANIA's CREW DEFEATED AT
HENLEY.
THE AMERICANS LOST ONLY AFTER GAME
STRUGGLE TO WIN-MAGNIFICENT
SPECTACLE AT HENLEY
Copyright: 1901: By The New-York Tribune)

Copyright; 1901: BY The New-York Tribune)
tBY THE rRrBUNE.l
London, July 6, / a. m,-Superior weight and
age gave victory to Leander after an arduous
well fought struggle at Henley. The Ameri-
can crew started off with a high stroke as
though determined to get the lead and keep 1t
all the way There was a great uproar from
excited sympathizers when Pennsylvania was
seen to be slightly ahead at the end of the ISL
and, and cheers continuous from Ameri-
can throats the lead was increased, foot by
foot, until there was lead of quarter of a
length at the Rectory. Next came an interval
of suspense when it was impossible to tell
whether Leander gaining not. English
eyes were at last convinced that the gain was
real, and English throats hoarsely shouted en-
couragement. Each crew straining every
nerve and sinew but inch by inch Leander
closed the gap, and would not be shaken off
The spectators at Fawleys Court were frantic
with excitement. for the two crews were fairly
abreast OF each other, with nothing to choose
between them. The Americans soon ceased to
cheer, for Leander went ahead foot by foot
| desperately as Pennsylvania rowing.
The English lead was quarter of a length
when the three quarter mile stake passed
1t was time for the Americans to call upon
their reserve force If they were to win. Their
stroke was quickened, and every Pennsylvania
power in reserve. for the Americans gained at
first a few inches, and finally a few feet, but
before they could close up the gap of barely
quarter of a length Leander squirting also
and slowly drawing away. 1t a magnih-
cent spectacle, and everybody shouted from
sheer excitement. It was English grit against
American energy. and weight and experience
were behind the grit. Leanders gallant effort
reserved for the final moment, carried the Eng
lish boat past the goal length in advance.
Both crews heavily worked and over
strained, although the time was several seconds
slower than each had made over the course
The crews were heartily cheered as they padded
back to their quarters. for 1t had been the
best race seen at Henley for long period The
Pennsylvania crew took their defeat greatly to
heart, but had complaints TO make nor
cuses to offer They had done their best, but
1t was not good enough. Some of their friends
were disposed to question the judgment of their
stroke in forcing the pace at the outset, instead
Of maintaining average which would have
carried the boat over the course in seven min
utes Criticism was censorious when the Amer
leans had made gallant n fight from start to
finish The Americans would have been fresher
for the squirt If they had not been rowing so
strenuousy in the first quarter Of mile but
there would have been longer gap between
the boats. English experts were confident that.
while the short slide and the long slide styles
rowed We're evenly matched. Leander won the
race by virtue OF the muscles OF the back in
swinging the body for the reach. They asserted
that the Americans used arms. thighs and legs.
while the English crew brought the whole body
into the stroke
Ward, while taking defeat ohilosophically was
disposed TO argue the case and assert that the
Americans would have won II they had been
men equal in weight and experience to Leander.
The latters coach had favored deliberate at
tempt to the American crew down. and
satisfied that the right tactics had been
employed. l. y. F.
fIrther daalls Henley eleventh. naEe