The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-09-07
NICKALLS PICKS HARVARD.
English Racing Expert Says Cantabs Are
Not Fit-Crews Practise starts.
Special Gable Despatch TO TEE SUN.

Special Gable Despatch TO TEE SUN.
PUTNEY, Sept. 6.-Both crews were out on
the river at food tide to-day. practising starts
from the pistol shot under racing conditions.
The Harvard crew rowed from Putney
bridge, and afterward did some sprints with q
scratch eight from the London Rowing Club.
They turned at Harrod's en- route home and
did a sprint against the tide. They were out
thirty-hve minutes altogether.
The principal feature Of the practice to-
day was the disclosure of the tactics the Cam
bridge crew evidently intend to employ in
the race on Saturday. Rowing from here
to Hammersmith Bridge they devoted their
attention eatirely to making bursts Of speed
after q stretch Of comparatively slow owing.
At the word from their coach aboard the
Hibernia they increased their speed from
20 to 80 strokes a minute. 1t became ap-
parent that 1t is upon these tactics that the
Cantabs are depending to win the race. they
figuring that the Harvard men are best at 81
strok es and that these sudden bursts to SO
will surely tire them out IL they try to keep
this stroke UP.
II must be said that the En- glishmen showed
perfect condition. Their increase in speed
did not cause the slightest lack Of harmony
in the crew. and IL was indeed a pretty sight
70 with ess their work. They never appeared
TO such good advantage as to-day. The
betting. which has been constantly v~acilIat-
ing in favor Of one crew and then the other
during the last few days. took a decided turn
toward the Cantsbs to-day. when Q to 2 was
offered on the Englishmen. One wager Of
EaOO to f2O0 against Harvard, which was
oneTed this Afternoon. remains uncovered.
Harvard this afternoon showed ability To
get away at a ~ clip and her supporters hava
no doubts as TO the result of the race,
A feature which Ia causing comm emit In tha
apathy the OXonianS are showing in the CON
test. Not a single member Of the Oxford crew
has visited the Ca ntabs' headquarters ON
the other hand, two members Of the Yale crew
made a special trip to Europe in order 10 wish
their conquerors ev very success in their coming
effort.
Subsequent TO the race the usual custom Of
the varsity race will be followed, both crews
dining at Princes, where some speeches will
be made.
Vivian Nickalls, the we'll known oarsman
who has critically watched tho DraotIce
throughout. but who has hitherto made no
prophecy as to the result, to-dayl fniaIs RE
PROMISE TO forecast the winner on the ave-
OF the race. He declares whole heartediv
for Harvard. giving as the reason that tho
Americana, in his opinion, have shown more
speed and staying power than their rivals
in nearly all the trials. ~
He says the Cantabs will probably Lead at
the start ana as far as Hammersmith Bridge.
but there, II Harvard pluRsthard al about s5'
they ought to begin 90 draw level and he
abreast at Chiswick. where the iRht will he
stern est. The Am orleans body and leg work
will give them the victory. Mr.. NickaIfs com
plains that the Cambridge crew have NOT nee,
given enough work, He never saw a tTsinIn .
crew 90 less. They are not thorOughiv
wound up. The Harvard men have worked
haruer' ana are consequently E.uch litter.