Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-04

festival. Outside the grand challenge cup
contest, In which the Vespers of Philadel-
phia, Pa, and the Belgian crew were COM
peting, there was little Of interest in the
regatta. The racing started with the first
heat of the grand challenge cup, in which
the Leanders, on whom the British pin all
their hopes of retaining the trophy in Eng
land, won practically as they pleased from
Jesus College. Cambridge. The Belgians
won an easy victory over the Thames Row
ing Club.
Big Event Of the Day.
Then came the big event of the day, the
heat for the grand challenge cup, in which
the Americans led all the way and defeat
ed a strong Cambridge collegiate crew. All
anticipations regarding today's heats for
the grand challenge cup were thus fulfilled.
except that Christ College gave the Vespers
harder row than was expected. A slight
wind toward the Bucks shore gave the
Americans, who had the Berks side, slight
advantage.
The Vespers got well away, led almost
Immediately, and at.the quarter distance
were more than half length in front,
while at the halfway post the Americans
were leading by two lengths: AT that point
the Cambridge men made splendid spurt
and steadily overhauled the Phladelpnians,
until there was only length between the
bows. The Vespers' stroke quickened, the
crew gamely responded, and the Americans
completed a Furnishing finish with the ad-
vantage of a full boats length in the fast
est time of three heats. Both crews showed
the effects of the sharp struggle.
The Americans started with a slower
stroke than either of the winners of the
previous heats, Leander going off at Al and
the Belgians at 46 while the Vespers
stuck to 40 TO the minute. The Philadel-
phians appeared to be working hard from
the outset, so that when half the distance
had been reached the Cambridge crew was
more easily able to pick up with their
quicker stroke.
Vespers Heartily Cheered.
Great enthusiasm was manifested on the
| crowded banks of the river throughout the
entire race, and both crews were heartily
cheered.
A large hotilla of pleasure craft followed
| the races. and the crowds lining the shore
| on both sides of the harbor vigorously ap-
| plauded the Americans getting good share
| of the cheers.
The first heats were decided as follows:
Leander beat Jesus College. Cambridge,
| by length and three-quarters. Time, 7
minutes 70 seconds.
The Belgian crew beat the Thames Row.
| ing Club easily. Time, minutes IL sec
onds
| The Vespers beat Christ College, Cam
| bridge by a length. Time, minutes IL
| seconds.
Manager Thorn Satisfied
| Manager Thorn said TO a representative
| of the Associated Press after the race:
Il am perfectly satisfied with the result.
| The Vespers had faster opponents than
| either the Leanders or Belgians, as proved
| by the time of the boats Coach Dempsey
| instructed the crew not to beat the Chris.
College by much. The Vespers could have
made a considerably better squirt IL neces-
sary."
| Mr.. Thorn pointed out the good condition
of the Philadelphians at the end OF the
| race, as shown by the way they Immediate
| iy picked up their boat on landing and
| carried IT into the tent, while several Of
| the Cambridge crew were In a semi -fainting
| condition.
| Mr. Thorn added that he was confident
| the VesperS would defeat the Leanders to-
morrow and row the final with the Bel
gians.
Coxswain Abel of the vespers also said
| he could have pushed the crew infinitely
| faster, but as a matter of fact they took
/ things easy after passing the mile post, un-
| I'll Christ Colleges fine spurt forced the
/ pace.
| The Americans after their race today all
| lunehed heartily, dressed and returned to
| the course TO enjoy the scenes and the rest
! OF the racing The many visitors present
gave the Philadelphians a rousing recep-
| ton on their victory. and the resident
| Henleyites, doubtless Influenced somewhat
by the rich harvest reaped from the WIS.,
ltorss Joined heartily tn the applause tn