New-York tribune., 1907-06-27
CORNELL GETS BIG RACE
gthacans an Heartrending Struggle
7citk Columbia.
IBy Telegraph to The Trlbrne.l

Poughkeepsie, y. Y, June 26-Just as dusk
was settling down over the Hudson River this
evening the starter fired the pistol which sent
of seven Of the finest eight-oared crews which
ever rowed in this country The Navy was maxi
tng her first bow in the big regatta, and specu-
lation ran high TO her ability to go over the
long four-mile course. She had rOwed with
great success in the two mile races at Annapolis
but there were those who doubted whether she
could hold her high stroke during the extra two
miles Then interest centred in the Cornell
eight, IN which Courtney had made several
changes at the eleventh hour. Columbia had
host of admirers. but outside of her sons
there were few who thought Jim" REes boys
could turn the trick.
There was q long delay at the start. The
race was scheduled for o'clock and at that
time al the boats were on hand with the excep-
ton Of the Navy. About fifteen minutes later,
the micshipmen hove in sight, padding along
slowly. The shining brightly for the
first time during the afternoon but a south
wind kicked up the water in the middle of the
river, making the Pennsylvania and George
town courses particularly difficult II was
then announced that the race would be post
poned FOR half ap hour. That made the start
come at 6:45, but il was just seventeen minutes
past o'clock when the biggest race in the his
tory OF the intercollegiate regatta fairly
under way.
Every crew caught the water at the same in
stant. and the start could not have been better.
=. ?. CTUssi, the Columbia stroke, began with
Se strokes to the minute. and the White and
Blue shell slowly but surely forged to the front.
OoTlei was rowing q much lower strOke-about
S2-but Courtney's men had the beef" behind
their sweeps Away over on the outside course,
The Navy was churning the water at a furious
rate II did not take long TO show that George
town was not factor. Pennsylvania Syracuse
and Wisconsin followed the pacemakers closely
Al the end Of the first half mile Columbia was
leading Cornell by half a length The Ithacans
We're using their powerful, steady but slow
Stroke and yet they nearly a quarter of a
length ahead Of the middies Georgetown was
Two lengths back, already hopelessly beaten
Past the half-Tnile mark the leaders shot. with
uhe Cornell and Columbia supporters in the OBJ
herFaton train cheering like mad. These two
crews had courses No J ana No. ., respectively.
and they were nearest the long observation
uain- ~ the Ta-le post Columbia still had her
advantage. The Navy had pulled almost on
even terms with Cornell, while Syracuse was
fourth
When Columbia had gone mile and a quar-
Ter and the New Workers still had the lead, the
crowd began TO realize that Rice's oarsmen were
out TO win, With Courtney's eight the dangerous
factor The Uhacans never varied their low
powerful stroke and the boat jumped with every
sweep Of the oars When half the heart-rending
Journey was over, Columbia was a quarter of a
length ahead.
c z Cox, the Cornell stroke, now began TO
raise the stroke. Slowly but surely the Cornell
ooat crept up on the Columbia shell, which was
stin leading and still keeping up her fast stroke.
captain Ingram called on the Navy men right
here. and the midshpmen's boat jumped into
p2ird place. with Pennsylvania hanging on
gaInely- Georgetown was ten lengths IN the
rear.
For the first time in the race the Cornell
DOW showed in the lead at the 21k-rnile mark.
CoiuiGila was so close, however that CornelTs
advantage was measured in inches. It had be-
come wonderful race between these eights
columbia was showing the better Waterman
1hp, but Cornell had more power in her boat
The Itacan splashed badly at this point
Wards eight bow and bow with the Navy
eeorgeto3n had dropped back fifteen lengths
oehnd the Wisconsin eight, which was next to
last
Cornell by q nose" was the verdict at the
three mile mark, right under the Poughkeepsie
Bridge. No one could tell which crew woule
yin. but II was either Cornell or Columbia II
hao become fight between the pupils OF Charles
Courtney and James Rice There was never n
more even contest. II the boats had been tied
together they could not have kept on more even
terms. Right here word must be said for
annapolis. They were away over on the east
tank and hard 70 see from the observation train
suddenlV a dark streak shot out amid tremen-
noHs cheers from the middes aboard the monitors
which lined the finish They were rowing about
iorty strokes 10 the minute and the boat fairly
lsaped out Of the water. II was a remarkable
spnrt, but they could not catch the leaders
when Columbia and Cornell appeared on tbe
.o"er side Of the bridge there wasn't any change
!. their positions. Then came the greatest
-usgle ever seen at PouRhkeepsie From the