New-York tribune., 1905-07-05
VESPER CREW WINS HEAT.
ROW.S IN FASTEST TIME.
Leander and Belgian Cre1cs Take
Heats at Henley Regatta.

Henley England, July 4.-The crew of the
Vcsper Boat Club of Philadelphia. celebrated
Independence Day IN England by winning its
heat against Christ College. the best university
crew competing at Henley this year, and by
making the best time of any eight. indeed all
Henley seemed to be celebrating the Fourth OF
July American flags were flying all over the
pretty Thamesside town, and as the American
boat ed to victory the Stars and Stripes were
waved from the grandstands.
The shores were filled with record gathering
of the elite of Great Britain and American visit
ors
The great contest between the crews of the
Vesper Boat Club and the Leander Rowing
Club tomorrow viii unquestionably be the most
interesting race from the international we'll as
the oarsmans point of view ever known at Hen
ley. The most expert critics of rowing differ in
their opinions. and the Englishmen claim that
the American style cannot prevail that of
Leander, the ground that the Americans use
a sculling style and fail to put in body weight.
In to-day's results however. when the Club
Natique of Belgium beat the Thames Rowing
Club by using much the same style. with short
oars the blades of which somewhat similar
TO those of the Americans. the theories of the
rowing sharps were upset and consequently to-
night there is much guessing over to-morrow's
struggle. which unquestionably will decide who
viii be the winners of the Grand Challenge Cup,
though the successful crew will row against the
Club Natique
Dempsey, coach of the Vesper crew. said to-
night that he believed the American style to be
much better than the British, and his belief is
strengthened by observation of to-day's racing.
Mr.. Dempsey is confident of success. and said
that none of the men was the worse for to-day's
contest.
Brilliant weather great attendance ashore
and afoat and fair rowing conditions marked
the openings of Great Brtains annual water
festival Outside the Grand Challenge Cup. in
which the Vespers of Philadelphia and the
Belgian competing there was little
interest in the regatta. The racing started with
the first heat of the Grand Challenge Cup, in
which the Leander crew, on whom the British
pin all their hopes of retaining the trophy in
England. practically as they liked from
Jesus College. Cambridge. The BeIgians won
an easy victory over the Thames Rowing Club
The first heats were decided as follows:
Leander beat Jesus College, Cambridge, by length
The Belgian beat Thames Rowing Club
The vespers beat Christ sSSHe coiiess Cambridge by
length Time, minutes. 10 seconds
In their heat the Americans led all the way
and defeated the strong Cambridge collegiate
crew. All 6nticlpd tlonS regarding to-day 3 meats
for the Grand Challenge Cup thus fulfilled
except that Christ College gave the Vespers
harder row than expected. slight wind toward
the Bucks shore gave the Americans, who had
the Berks side, slight advantage.
The Fespers got well away. led almost mme-
diately and at the quarter distance more
than a length in front while at the halfway
post the Americans were leading by two lengths
At that point the Cambridge men made sp!en-
did squirt and steadily overhaued the Phila-
dephans until there was only length between
the bows The Vespers' stroke quickened. the
crew gamely responded and the Americans com
pleted a Furnishing finish. with the advantage
of a full boats length, in the best time OF the
three heats. Goth crews showed the effects of
the sharp struggle
Great enthusiasm manifested the
crowded banks OF the river throughout the en-
tire race. and both crews were warmly cheered
The Americans, after their heat to-day
lunched heartily dressed and returned to the
course TO enjoy the scenes and the rest of the
racing. the many American visitors present
gave the PhiladeDhans rousing reception.
The ajority OF the British experts still
confident that the Leander crew will ultimately
win the Grand Challenge Cup In the event of
their success at Henley the Vespers anticipate
participating in the Hamburg regatta.