Los Angeles herald., 1906-09-09
CAMBRIDGE WINS
FROM HARVARD BY
TWOROATLENGTHS
CRIMSON LOSES In SPECTACULAR RACE
BritOns Get Away First and Are Never Headed.
Experts Agree That Inherent StaminaiS
Responsible for VictOry-Winners
Collapse at Finishing Line

conditions have improved and nearly
all have taken from one to two pounds
in weight. d. A. Newall, Harvard No
| Z, showed the greatest gain.
Even Blagden, the coxswan, gained
seven pounds from the time Of arrival
in England till the race today Captain
Filly of Harvard fell away In weight
at first but gained during the last
days of training.
Proud Americans
Since the American crew took UP its
quarters on the Thames the rowing
sharps of En- gland have had much to
say in praise and criticism of the work
of Wray's men. The old discussion as
to the relative merits of the English
and the American styles of rowing has
been revived in all its various phases,
and there Is no thought that even the
result Of today's contest will have
serious weight in settling the question.
There was a remarkable change in
sentiment among the English experts
during the last few days, however, and
from the opinions freely expressed
when the Harvard crew first landed
that the Americans would have no
chance with the Cambria: rowing
ma chimes many of the most noted
critics on the eve of the race predicted
seas.
The steady way the Harvard men had
of rowing, with a stroke which varied
barely at all during the full journey
over the long, winding course, set the
En- glishmen to thinking perduous1y and
sent the betting odds tumbing from 2
to 1 in favor of Camb bridge to very
nearly even money two days before the
rowing Of the race.
1t was said that Cambridge would
make a big effort to upset this long,
steady pace devouring stroke of the
Harvard eight by ma king tant alizing
spurts during the first stages of the
contests, running their stroke up from
thirty-four to forty or thereabouts and
then lowering 1t again. The visitors
were prepared for this, however. and
had everywhere the necessity urged
upon them of pulling their Gust omary
stroke just as they did on the day they
fought Yale to a standstill for three
long, hard miles, and then pulled away
from the New Haven men in the last
quarter stage of the journey to win by
two full lengths.
The short, rapid stroke Of the Eng
lishmen, their shorter slide in the seats
and the method of taking the water
W ere in marked contrast to the Ameri-
can manner of handling the sweeps.
Harvard's crew outw eighed the Cam
bridge eight nearly four pounds to
every man. They showed steady and
unexpected improvement from the very
first days of training in English waters,
and their last fast trials over the course
caused a great tide of public favor to
set in their direction. Faith in the
superiority of the Cambridge crew was
considerably shaken, and as a result
-, fv,NA t.
The English papers comment ed con-
Stantly on the fact that all the Har-
ward oarsmen sat in their boat at pre-
cisely the same height, their shoulders
being perfectly level, with the result
that the blades dipped at the same
angle, whereas different heights would
produce different angles splashing and
loss of power.
Difference of Style
In addition to a test of strength and
skill among the oarSmen today's race
was looked forward to keenly for a
comparison of the English and Ameri-
can styles of boat building. The Eng
lish had adhered to the old method of
building the equipment, while the
American shells shown this year on the
Thames represented the very latest In
modern improvements, especially with
regard to oar locks, outriggers and
slides for the seats.
The Englishmen were amazed at
some Of the features of the American
boat, but would admit the advantage
of any of the late equipments.
The memberships of the crews and
their weights, according to latest re-
ports, follows:
English Sportsmen say there is but
one explanation for the result-that Of
superiority of English oarsmenship and
the English stroke Harvard's was one
of the finest crews physically ever seen
on the river, but was unable to over
come that training which English oars
men receive from childhood.
The Cambridge crew. too, had in
stead one of the best strokes Eng
| land had produced. 1t also had the ad-
vantage of choice of side but those
who know the river best say this was
| little In their favor with the tide and
wind as they were today.
Stroke Stuart of the Cambridge crew
said:
"Filley and his crew rowed a mag
nificent race. We are glad we won, but
sorry to defeat such goodefellows."
Captain Filley of the H4rVard boat
laconically declared that his men had
been beaten fairly and squarely. Coach
Wray was gloomy and had nothing to
say except that he had no excuse to
offer. Coach Mattlebury of Cambridge
said
1.-The Harvard man made up the best
crew ever sent out from the United
States. With another year and little
more OF the English style the Harvard
men will be dangerous rivals. hope
the Americans will favor us with an
other visit"
Crews Dine
The crews dned together tonight at
Princes restaurant. Colonel William
who rowed against Harvard in the
Oxford four In 1869. presided, with
Captain Filley on his right and Presi-
dent Goldsmith of the Cambridge Boat
club on his left and Ambassador Reid
and other distinguished guests sur
rounding him. Colonel William pro-
, posed the health Of King Edward and
President Roosevelt.
Mr. Reid, In replying to the toast tc
President Roosevelt, said that while
he was not altogether contented with
the result of today's race, he was sure
the president would be satisfied witt
the way Harvard had borne defeat. He
promised the Cam bridge crew a warn
welcome In America should they de.
eide to go over there for a return race
: ..