The Washington herald., 1914-04-03
Stray Items
of Sport
BY ANDREW p. O'CoNOR.

or the three cup defenders, which are
now being constructed, il may be the
irony of fate that the choice of the racing
committee may be Alexander Cochran's
boat which he has named Vanitie, a
word which must have been especially
coined for the occasion. as it does not
appear in any dictionary. The nearest
approach to il is the French word vanite.
which means vanity. A cup defender
with such n name deserves to be beaten.
The other two boats are well nsmel.
Defiance is being constructed by Owen.
and Resolute by the HerreshoT. Vanitie
is being constructed according to designs
created by William Gardner at the Law
leys, Neponset. Mass. Let us hope that
the Vanitie docs not qualify for the
final test.
There is a storm brewing up New Eng
land way in rowing circles over the re-
port which has gained wide circulation
to the effect that Guy Nickalls, the highly
recommended English oarsman, who has
been engaged to teach the art OF rowing
in New England university. will intro
duce the English style of "Sweep-Swing-
ing" which will necessitate the changing
of American boat rigging. which is best
adapted to what is known as the Bob
Cook" method, long in high favor in
this country.
Bob Cook in his day and age was
thorough master of the science of row.
ing. but to deny Mr.. Nickalls the right
to introduce his method would be an ad-
mission that there has been no i'm
provement made in the art during the
last decade. Mr.. Nickalls in England
enjoys the reputation of being q past
master in everything pertaining to aqua
tics. Upon that reputation he was Sc
lected for his present position. and he
to proceed in his work without opposi-
tion.
There has really been but little i'm
provement made in rowing since the
days Of Jimmy Renforth, who invented
the sliding seat Renforth was the first
recognized champion single sculler of
the world a story of whose life and un-
timely death at the hands of a poisoner
will shortly appear in these columns.
The United Hunts Racing Association
will usher in the season at Belmont
Park next month. with a program which
is sure to attract a great deal of at
tentiOn among members of the smart
set.
There will be only two days of racing
May Is and 23-but the prizes in money
and cups aggregate several thousand
dollars. The principal vents will be the
Greentree Steeplechase Handicap of $50
and a cup. value, SO. for registered
hunters. gentlemen riders, distance two
miles and one-f alf miles; open SteepIe-
chase Handicap of $780, including cup
donated by W. r. Grace. value $50, gen.
tlemen riders allowed five pounds. dis
tance. two miles; Montauk Galloway
Handicap of s2OoO, gentlemen riders. dis
tance. four and one-half furlongs; Hemp
stead Handicap Steeplechase of $500. gen.
tlemen riders allowed five pounds, dis
tance, about two miles.
The meeting will close with the Men,
bership Handicap Plate, for registered
hacks and hunters. to be ridden by
United States Army officers or gentlemen,
distance. about one and one-half miles.
The feature Of the meeting will be tbs
Sportsmen's Steeplechase Handicap Dim
ner Stakes, private subscription, dis
tance, about two and one-half miles
Covers for 1000 are usually spread for
members and their guests, where the
wit, wisdom and eloquence of the SPORT
ing world is shown TO the best ad-
Invitations are highly ap-
preciated by those who are fortunate
enough to receive them.