Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-09-08
TOday's Telegraphic News
CAMBRIDCE WINS RACE,


CAMBRIDGE WINS RACE.
Putney, Eog., Sept. S-Ideal weather
conditions prevailed for the boat race
today between the varsity crews of Hsr-
ward and Cambridge. Overhead the sun
shone brightly and there was not
ripple on the Thames. These condi-
tons were favorable to Cambridge, as
the light blue crew does not like rough
water.
On the strength Of the weather con-
ditions betting this morning jumped to
IL to 10 10 favor of Cambridge. Although
the race was not scheduled to begin until
4:S0 o'clock, spectators began arriving
on the scene early in the morning. BY
noon. there were thousands waiting at
all the advantageous points along the
course, which ia 10 the form of huge
horseshoe, four and quarter miles long.
Harvard was out on the river this
morning for q ten minutes practice
trial. Starts only were attempted and
the Yankees showed great rspidity in
getting away. Thousands of Americans
who had already gathered along the
course cheered the crew.
Early in the afternoon excursion boats
bearing thousands of anxious spectators
began to take up their positions along
the river. An hour before the time FOR
the race to start il was estimated that
fully 100, 900 persons were lined up on
the banks
Whitelaw Reid, the American Am
bassador, with party OF friends occu-
pied a small launch.
The betting this afternoon switched
again a trife 10 favor OF Harvard.
Plenty of Harvard money was wagered
at odds of 6 to in favor of Cambridge
where the early betting had been at IL
to 10.
Both crews were given great ovation
when they appeared on the river and
proceeded towards the starting point.
Cambridge this lhorning won the toss
and Captain Goldsmith chose the Surrey
side, or south course. This gave the
Cambridge crew a considerable initial
advantage, as the water had roughened
somewhat by the time the race began
A slight southwest wind was blowing at
the time.
Promptly at 1929 the start was made.
Cambridge. as was expected, took
slight lead at the start.
The start was made at 4:29. and after
a very exciting contest Cambridge won
the race by two lengths. The time was
10 minutes and Is seconds.
The record for The four and quarter
miles course from Putney to Mortlake is
Is minutes and At seconds. Harvard in
a practice trial just one week ago, COW
cred the distance in Is minutes and so
seconds.
An unfortunate error on the part OF
the Coxswsin Blagden, who steered the
Harvard shell too far out at Chiswick,
at critical juncture, when Harvard was
beginning to overhaul her opponent,
probably cost Harvard the race, as 1t
enabled Cambridge TO make fresh gain
at a time when Harvard should have
gone t. the fiont.
At the half way post Harvard had
cut down Cambridge's advantage to a
length and quarter. Both crews were
at that time pulling 81 stroke. At
this clip Harvard sent her shell through
the water faster than her opponent.
Between the half and two-thirds posts,
Cambridge made squirt and gained
quarter OF length, putting her length
and half to the good. Then came
Blsgden's break.
The scene at the finish was one which
has seldom if ever been equalled 10 the
history OF racing in England. Eulhu-
siastic supporters OF Cambridge rushed
into the water trying to reach the vic
tors. Cheering continued for fully ten
minutes. Taken all in all, the race was
one of the finest ever seen on this his
toric course.
Cambridge's victory is regarded as a
triumph for the English style OF rowing
as the condition of the crews was such
that there was little to choose between
them individually. Cambridge led from
the start, breaking away at the signal
with the swift stroke which was expect
ed 10 put them to the front in the early
stage Of the race. Harvard made a
valiant effort to oyertake the leaders, but
was unable to do so.
Csmbridge's victory was clear and
fair. Her position was never seriously
endangered, as it is impossible TO say
what Harvard would have been able to
do had not Blagden's error practically
put her out of the running.
The time of the race did not come up
to expectations. Cambridge finished 10
10 minutes and l9 seconds. This is
81 seconds slower than the record, and
Is seconds slower than Harvard rowed
in practice trial last Saturday. After
the race, Filley of the Harvard, called
out to friends in nearby launch, awe
did our best. That is all f"
Harvard's defeat by Cambridge today
has only whetted the desire of the Amer
cans for another trial with the English
crew, and it is probable another match