The New York herald., 1922-07-09
AMERICAN SCULLER
TRIUMPHS EASILY
Startles English Critics With
His Unorthodox Style
Of Rowing.
BERESFORD OUTCLASSED
Minnesotan Leads All the
Way Under Most Unfavor-
able Conditions.
BEREsFoRD oUTCLAssED


Copyright. 1898, by The New YosK HEsALp.
LONDON, July 8. - Unheralded, un-
sung. laughed at by the conservative
and orthodox experts, who pronounced
his style opposed to all tenets of row.
ing, Walter M. Hoover of Duluth,
Minn., the American champion. this
afternoon made all England sit up and
take notice. Hoover not only won the
final for the famous Diamond Sculls.
which carried with it the worlds title,
but literally made show Of j. Beres-
ford, Jr., the English champion, in
their contest Of one mile and five-
sIxteenths in the Royal Henley regatta
on the Thames.
The quiet American romped off with
the cherished trophy under conditions
which might have discouraged a less
gritty sculler. Once more the river
was swept by wind and rain. Once
more the advantage of the course lay
with his opponent. But for third
time Hoover showed a stoutness of
heart and an effectiveness of stroke
which made him a most fitting holder
Of the Diamond Sculls--the third
American to win the Henley classic.
Many an American had tried before
Hoover. but only Edward Ten Eyck of
Worcester and B. H. Howell OF New
York had succeeded Ten Eyck was the
winner In 1897. Howell who rowed as
representative OF Trinity Hall, Cam
bridge University. gained the singular
distinction OF being q winner two years
In succession--1S99 and 1900. But
Hooyer's work to-day eclipsed the per-
formance Of both Ten Eyck and Howell.
shows New style.
Everything was against the young
engineer from America to-day--every-
thing except one He showed the critics
along the classic course a style of
sculling which was as novel as 1t was
effective. He showed 1t in his first heat,
in his second heat yesterday and there
was a great shaking Of heads. Nothing
like IT had been seen here before and
the old timers would not believe that the
kind OF sculling which Hoover demon-
strated would win the worlds title.
But win Hoover did--and in sensa-
tional style. The flash of the depart
Ing sculls in the hands or the Mime
sotan was very much like the flash OF
new constellation In the heavens. His
triumph was accomplished through laws
as strange to English rowing as the
, Einstein theory is to astronomy. And
those who came to the damp regatta
course to-day to do some laughing had
TO stay and cheer for the American.
When Hoover appeared with short
deep boat, high splashboards, a low
seat and high stretcher and proceeded
to pull away with a relatively short
stroke. some of the wiseacres had to
cachinnate. But their laughter was
short lived. for Beresford, the native
favorite, never was in the hunt
Conditions Favor Beresfqrd.
Hoover took the worse side Of the
course in the driving rain. with wind
which at times amounted to half a
gale, giving sthe Briton, in his more
sheltered position. quite an advantage.
But this did pot deter the American.
Hoover slipped into the lead easily in
the first few strokes, went smashing
along at an easy 28 and 30 and finished
half minute and many lengths In the
lead Of Beresford.
The time, minutes 80 seconds, was
many seconds slower than the record
and eight seconds slower than Hoover's
figures In his victory over Baynes yes
terday. However, conditions probably
were worse than those which ruled at
any other rowing for the Diamond
Sculls.
Though Hoover never appeared to re-
lax he was not even remotely pressed.
The slow stroke shows how easy the
race was for him. He had hit a 40
without much effort here. but Beresford
did not force the American to let him.
self out. He finished In fine condition,
with a smile and a good word for the
sculler whom he had beaten.
Result stuns Brftons.
The victory was greeted with startling
apathy. For this there were many rea-
sons. In the first place the usual FASH
ion show. the fine turnout Of beauty and
the usual pomp and color. were missing
Because OF the wretched weather only
the dyed In the wool rowing enthusiasts
OF both sexes turned out. Then, the
contest was not much of battle and
the poor showing Of the Briton stunned
the onlookers into silence. The Amer
lean contingent, however. gave q good
account Of Itself.
Rowing men tonight combine to de-
clare Hoover q superman in q boat
They say that no other amateur they
had seen could have beaten Baynes and
then Bcresford under the conditions
which governed the Americans tri-
umphs.
All the British money went on Beres-
ford to win tho title. He was known to
be In perfect condition, having been
trained to the minute by Bossy Phelps
Of Putney. who had trained many
star sculler. Phelps pronounced the
Englishman ready and fit TO win. but
Phelps as well as thousands of others
guessed wrong.
Tonight the entire Thames side Ia
buzzing with tremendous legends about
an American Titan who drinks nothing
stronger than milk-who will have MOTH
Ing to do even with coffee and tea-<who