Post by Admin on Nov 7, 2016 22:41:57 GMT 12
At last the much-talked-of race with Harvard College, America, is to come off. A second challenge issued by them has been accepted by the O.U.B.C., and the result is that a four-oared race will be rowed between the representatives of the Old and New Worlds some time in August next.
The Americans seem evidently in earnest, and now wish to row with coxswains from Putney to Mortlake. The great difference is that the proposal is now for a four instead of an eight.
The course proposed for the race is certainly a very long, and trying, one for a four (indeed we believe that never yet has a similar race been rowed over it), and more especially so as the weight of the coxswain will have to be dragged over the whole distance.
We cannot help thinking, however, that it would have been more in our favour if the race was rowed without steerers. Since the first challenge was received, we have been gradually changing in our ideas about coxswains; the wonderful advantage that dispensing with them gives was shewn at Henley last year, when an inferior crew simply paddled away from stronger and better ones.
The Radcliffe
Feb 27th 1869
The Americans seem evidently in earnest, and now wish to row with coxswains from Putney to Mortlake. The great difference is that the proposal is now for a four instead of an eight.
The course proposed for the race is certainly a very long, and trying, one for a four (indeed we believe that never yet has a similar race been rowed over it), and more especially so as the weight of the coxswain will have to be dragged over the whole distance.
We cannot help thinking, however, that it would have been more in our favour if the race was rowed without steerers. Since the first challenge was received, we have been gradually changing in our ideas about coxswains; the wonderful advantage that dispensing with them gives was shewn at Henley last year, when an inferior crew simply paddled away from stronger and better ones.
The Radcliffe
Feb 27th 1869