Omaha daily bee., 1909-04-04
OXFORD WINS PUTNEY RACE
Bourne's Long Stroke Proves Superior
to Cambridge Style.
VICTORY IN DOUBT UNTIL ENr
AnybOdy's Race for Three-Quarters
of the Course, when OxOnisns
Gradually Gain the
Lead,

PUTNEY, April 3-The sixty-sixth o.
ford-Cambridge eight cared rowing race
was won on the Thames today by three
and one-half lengths after a tussle which
for three-quarters OF the course was one
OF the most stirring contests seen on the
Thames for many years.
The time was 10 minutes and 80 seconds
but had the Oxonians been pressed at the
finish they could have reduced this by
a good many seconds. As far as Barnes
bridge 1t was anybody's race, but at this
point the greater weight and stamina of
the dark blues told and with n magnificent
dash, r.. C. Bourne. the oxford stroke.
sent his boat to the front and passed the
post the easiest of winners.
Cambridge won the toss and chose the
Surrey side of the river, but in the
absence Of wind the water was smooth
and there was not much advantage in the
selection OF a station. At the crack of
the pistol the oxford stroke, Bourne, was
the first to grip the water and for the first
minute his oar moved at the rate OF 80
strokes to the 3S strokes a minute set by
D. c. r. Stuart, the Cambridge stroke. In
the beginning the nose of the oxford boat
showed slightly in the lead. Calling to his
men at Beverley Brook the veteran Stuart
quickly overlook the leaders and forged to
the front. Soon he was a quarter length to
the good, Bourne, however. was not to be
%outdone. The oxonians answered squirt
with squirt and It soon became evident the
race of 1909 would be memorable.
Aware that his chances Of victory rested
in securing a commanding lead early in
the race, Stuart held to a swift stroke.
\ He was we'll backed up by his crew, who
pulled in splendid rhythm and pushed
further and further ahead until the cox
swain of the Cambridge boat was on a
level with the oxford bow. Then the
oxford crew came on again and closed
up rapidly until, passing the half mile
post, the two boats were level.
Cheer Greets oxford's Spurt.
The excitement on the banks was tre-
mendous, and a roar of cheering broke out
as the Oxford men, gripping the water in
great style, passed their opponents and
established a lead OF half a length al
Hanrods.
Stuart, however, quickened his stroke
and the Cambridge eight. rowing with
splendid dash, gradually o%verhauled their
rivals and the two crews shot under Ham,
mersmith bridge almost on a dead level.
Here Bourne's longer stroke of as to the
minute 80 against stuart 20 TO the
minute began to tell, and the Oxonians
drew away until a spectators boat got. in
the way and made a swerve to one side
necessary. This enabled Cambridge again
TO draw up on a level. off Chiswick the
oxonians were again slightly in the lead,
but this advantage was only momentary.
as Stuart, by a counter squirt brought the
boats together again at Thomeycroft.
by this time the excitement on board
the launches following the boats and along
the river banks had risen to fever pitch.
and the shouts Of encouragement were
deafening.
Passing Barnes the boats were prae-
Hoally level, but from this point on, the
Oxford crew drew away and by the time
Barnes Bridge was reached there was dav-
light between them. The Cambridge men
were beginning to shows signs OF the
heroic struggle and although they stuck
] CALAMITY to their work the issue never
. again was in doubt. The oxonians came
right away and soon led by two lengths.
Nearing the finish Stuart. the CAMBRIDGE
stroke, made a desperate attempt to rally
his tired crew, but his squirt was short
lived and could make no impression on the
leaders. The further the Oxford Grew
vent the better 1t seemed to row.