New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-06-21
rBy Telegraph to The Tribune. J


New London, Conn, June 2o-Yale's
.oarsmen drew first blood in the annual
regatta with Harvard, which had it's be-
ginning on the Thames River this after
Noon The Yale freshman four Dared crew
won decisive victory over the Harvard
youngsters and spoiled the chances Of what
Jim Wray, Crimson coach, thought might
be clean sweep. The victory Of the four,
insignificant as II is so far AS the greater
results Of to-morrow's races are concerned.
IS taken as an suspicious omen by the
legion Of Yale enthusiasts, who are crowd
ing up from New Haven as fast as trains
automobiles and boats can bring them.
The honors Of the day, however, were not
altogether on Yales side, for the Crimson
eight Of graduates pulled away from the
Yale graduate crew and won as hollow a
victory as the Thames has ever seen. That
victory did not bring consolation, however,
% the handful Of Harvard men who we're
on hand, for they said that II was a test
Of the skill and Drawn Of other days and
not Of the oarsmen OF this years vintage
There were other things TO interest TO-DAY
beyond the two races that came off at dusk
this evering-the final polishing touches
that each crew received in the morning, the
Instructions Of the referee, who took out
thu TWO varsity eights separately, and eH-
planned the rules. as he has 10 others on
seventeen similar occasions: the consul
tat!ons between the coaches and captains
and last, but not least, the careful and
minute inspection Of the shells. All Of these
things had their place in the catalogue Of
~ MI
Importance IN itself
Bob Cook the veteran coach Of decade
age who turned out winning Yale crews
With almost the same regularity that Har-
ward shells have crossed the line first in the
last few years. had only one regret and
that was that the big race tomorrow was
not ten days off Given ter DAYS more
and Cook feels that he could turn out a
crew finished to the last detail Without
hesitation Mr.. Cook admits that the Yale
crew IS not quite ready, but he just as
freely impresses one with the fact that the
y Yale crew which rows tomorrow VIII
row the best II knows, and that II II is
beaten it will not be because the men are
NOT willing and have not put every ounce
Of their power into each stroke.
Harvard Oarsmen Confident
At the Harvard quarters, a scant mile
down the east side Of the Thames from
Gales Ferry, the feeling lie entirely difrer-
spt Accustomed to victories. that in the
last two years have been nothing more
than p-ectics rows, there is without con-
esalment a feeling Of confidence that IS
strangely lacking IN the Yale camp Inc
Cambridge men do not subtract from the
merits OF the Yale eight, but they have
been trained in q period when Yale crews
have been VIGOROUSLY poor. and they feel
that the race is won
On past performances indications seem 70
point strongly TO the Harvard eight whlen
Is composed Of veterans. who have roweo
since they first took up a sweep the sen
same stroke that they are pulling TO-DAY
They have not been experimenting ano'
furthermore, they have had racing expert
snce. and that counts q great deal in the
way Of preparing crew for its final test
william a. Meikleham. Of Columbia
who has been referee Of Yale-HarVard
boat races for almost a score Of years ar
rived on the scene this morning ana IN
company with r. F. Herrick and DR.. Lado'
Of the Crimson quarters, called on COOK
and Rodgers at the Yale camp, The faIe
crews were not ready 10 go out so Mt.
Meikleham vent down TO the Harvard
boathouse, where the Crimson crews were
putting their shells in the water. Wrag
vent out in a single scull and directed the
crews, while Mr. Meikleham used the
launch. He addressed all three crews ana
put each through a trial start Then
wray took a hand and the crews prac-
:isAd racing starts for the better part OF
an hour.
II was much the same way with the Yale
crews when Mr. Meikleham went back up
stream, although the varsity eight 'ouIu
not or would not put the stroke up Pes
above thirty-two. The shell ran well De-
tween strokes, and IT seemed 10 have p'eIiy
Of power, but It was plainly apparent 'ha'
II did not begin to shoot through the water
with the speed Of the Harvard boat. For
any one who has not seen Yale row since
Bob Cook was in charge at Gales ferI1'
before Ne turned things over 70 John Ken
nedy. this years Yale eight Is rowing al
most tho same stroke az the crews OF 'Vo'
20 aud IS. There is that same TREMENDOUS
catch and powerful heave at the beginning
Of the stroke, which tapers off to an easy
hnisb 1t is a stroke that requires power
lful men. and one that is adapted TO rowing
at low beat.
Cubs Row a Spirited Race.
OF the races this afternoon the scrap De-
tween the freshman tours was by iar the
most exciting II was only mile pull pu'
the two crews fought each other all the
way. The Yale men, heavier and husNeI
Than those Of the Crimson. got into the lead
AZ the start and were never headed BUT de-
spite the beef they could not pun away
from the Harvard youngsters, who huhs
on ssmely. and were not beaten until the
'lne was crossed, with Yale two lengths III
The van.
The struggle between the graduate eights
ief the first leg on the Herrick trophy was
tame affair from the Harvard point Oh
view because the Crimson graduates
Jumped into the lead at the start and IN
creased II couple OF feet at every stroke
me hslf-tnils spin was only an exercise
,o~ for the Harvard men, and Pau WIN
ihston' who ftroked the crew. was Tor go
ING On for O. mile or more More than hVe
lsngths Of open water we're between the
I'VE boats az the finish
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