The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-06-21
WISCONSIN FAVORED.
Raw, Gray Day Greets Boat
Crews at Poughkeepsie.

Poughkeepsie, N Y, June PA
drenching rain and nasty sky without
a single rift in it to justify the hope
of clearing, greeted the weather sharps
this morning when they looked out TO
see what the indications We're for to-
days boat race.
The early morning rain had a de-
pressing influence not only on those
who We're here, but upon those who
were possibly coming for the early
trains from north and south, which uSu-
ally bring a goOdly squad of people
brought practically no one and up to
the middle of the forenoon there was the
smallest gathering of spectators ever
seen in Poughkeepsie on similar oc-
easion. With the ra8n there was little
or no wind, and the course was per
fectly smooth.
The crews therefore will row this af-
ternoon even if the rain continues. for
the water is in good condition and the
rain will not materially hurt the oars
men.
All OF the crew coaches this morning
said their men were in good condition
for the race, and, indeed, this has been
one OF the features of racing at Pougn-
keepsie, for, although there are at pres
enC l46 OarSmen here and in other years
there have been 100 to 125, it is re-
marka Bile fact that on race day morning
all OF the men are invariably reported
to be in the best possible condition and
no excuses are made by losing crews
except that they were fairly beaten.
me oarsmen lounged around their
boat houses this morning, or kept we'll
IN quarters to avoid the natural chill
IN the atmosphere.
For the freshmen eight. Wisconsin
was this morning a decided favOrite
and even Cornell hackers. who are US
ually quick to take bets, especially
when odds are offered were asking fOr.
to l. with wisconsin the favOrite In
the varsity Cornell is a strong favorite
and although in some cases the field
was offered against Cornell at a good
advantage, there were few takers. The
only wager of any Importance laid was
one of $1,000 by Pennsylvania adherents
that their varsity crew would beat
Georgetown, the Georgetown adherents
taking it at an advantage of TO /
| The thousand dollars was offered by a
single individual and the $500 which was
Ia1d on Georgetown, was raised by a
pool OF Georgetown supporters.
Coach Courtney. of the Cornell crew,
said this morning that while he con
sidered his varsity crew very fit he
did not share any outside predictions of
sure victory. He thought it was going
to be very hard fought race and
would not be won until toward the end
Of the last mile He talked this to his
men, preferring that they should go out
with the feeling that they would have
to row the race for all they were worth
/ to win.
Curiously enough although there are a
! GOOD many columbia college people here
there Is llllle II any money being placed
| night on the varsity race in which Cor
neil sold for So Wisconsin for 81 and
! Pennsylvania for S, Columbia sold for
/ 81. This is strange in view Of the fact
! that Coach Hanlon has talked very favor
! ably Of his men and believe they will
make great showing.
The unknown factor in the race is
/ GeOrgetOWn- Its varsity crew has rOWed
| very fast over the fOur-nle course but
/ the general impression among the rowing
/ sharpS IS that while she viii be very for
midable for three miles, she will not be
/ able to keep the pace to the finish SYRIA
/ euse does not seem to figure in the be
| fore the race predictions and Pannsyl-
| Vania. whose crews have ALWAYS made a
big showing, and on several instances
/ have won on this course. IS also getting
| picking winners.
Towards 10 o'clock. while there was no
abatement of the rain there came up a
! nasty wind from the south. It blew
| flood tide kicked up quite a swell por-
! tending that when the tide ebbed and if
the wind continued to blow from the
south there would be such conditions
that the race could not be rowed. As the
day advanced the wind increased and
| stayed in the same general direction
/ from the south, but the indications toward
| Il O'Clock were that it might get around
| to the west.
At. noon the rain had stopped and the
| wind, which before was blowing from the
| southeast, shifted to due south The
| choppy water had subsidized and the river
| was smooth.
There was no sign of sunshine but old
river men expressed the opinion that the
| rain was over and that it would be fine
| clear weather by the time the first race
| was called.
Ellis Ward the Pennsylvania coach.
! sprang surprise on his own men as
| well as the entire rowing colony this
| morning by rigging his shells with alum
| mum Washboards This is an innovation
! in the rigging of eight-oared shells, but it