New Britain herald., 1927-06-28
ROWING SEASON TO
 END WITH REGATTA
Navy, California and Cornell
 FaVorit@ Among Crews

Poughkeepsie. N. r.. June 2s R- A rowing season dominated by upsets and form reversal will come to a ch- max tomorrow in the intercollegiate championship regatta with prospects pointing today to the keenest battle in years for the chief prize in the varsity four-mile race down the Hudson.
 Coaches who put the finishing touches today to the drilling of the seven varsity contenders were unan- imous in regarding this years race as the most "open" in many years. A test likely to find four Or five of the rivals so closely matched that anything may happen to turn the dope" topsy turvy as already has occurred in Yale's setbacks by Princeton and Harvard. besides Washington's defeat by California.
 Notwithstanding the views of the men guiding the destinies of the 19 crews entered in the three title races-freshman, "jayvee'' and var sity-the Naval Academy has been made a pronounced favorite to win the varsity race. with California in- stead of the championship Washing ton eight picked as the far vests chief threat and either Cornell or Columbia. or both, as the main con- tenders among the four members of the Intercollegiate Rowing associa- tion.
 On form displayed during the past week or two. the Navy, California and Cornell seem to have an edge. Two of these. however. have lost regulars within the past few days to upset their machines. Just how ser iously they will be affected cannot be forecast, but Bob Butler. Navy coach, frankly declared today the middies would feel the loss of their star No. z, Anderson, in spite of the apparent capabilities of his substi- tute, Lincoln. Cornell has lost its No. 2 man. Hopper. i'll with tonsil- tits. and probably will start the big race with his place occupied by John M. Francis. third member of a famous rowing family to be in Cor nelps varsity.
 California, intact and in good shape. appears to have an excellent chance of lifting the big prize for the first time, but Washington, if its workouts are sufficient criterion, measures considerably below it's 1926 championship standard. Both the navy and Washington have only three survivors of the great boat loads that fought it out for supre- macy last year. separated by only a second at the finish.
 Although navy has shown smooth ness behind the powerful stroke of Tom Eddy. the huskies have not seemed to get together. Washington's work in last evenings practice was especially ragged behind the cratic stroke of Mcdonald, sophomore pacesetter, who has found it diff cult to step into the shoes of Al H. brickson. captain of last years win- ming crew.
 "Young Dick" Glendon's Columbia crew, with six sophomores in the shell. has developed speed as well as stamina. It has registered as bril- liant time as any crew in trials over the full four mile course. With the possible exception of Navy and Cor nell. Syracuse and Pennsylvania, while not generally picked as strong contenders. have the benefit of the two inside lanes and may spring a surprise while the other crews are busy focusing their attention on each other. The rivalry between Washing ton and California is especially keen, with Huskies anxious to atone for their setback on the coast and the Golden Bears determined to prove 1t wasn't "fuke."
 Close to 100000 spectators may witness the regatta spectacle tomor- row. according to advance indica- ton. Elaborate arrangements have been made to handle throngs on boats, shore and observation trains.
 The first event of the program scheduled at 4 p. m., (eastern day. light time) will bring together rec ord field of seven freshman crews in a two-mile battle in which the un- beaten Naval Academy ''plebes" will be strong favorites. Wisconsin's only