Rivals Take the Water: Coast Oarsmen Gather on Lake Washington

Interest in the regatta to be held on Lake Washington next Friday and Saturday is at white heat. The crews are all in town, and each one is confident of winning the event in which it is entered. In the corridors of the hotels and on the streets the athletes can be seen sporting their respective colors, and big, brown, healthy-looking fellows they are. Arrangements have all been made, and the crews will each take a final spin over the course today, in order to acquaint themselves with it and pick out the best water. The members of the crews who have seen the course are enthusiastic over it, and predict that fast time will be made, but think that in the event of a close finish it will be difficult to determine the winner, as the finish will have to be judged by forming a line on the bows of the boats with a stake on shore, as the water is too deep to permit of the placing of stakes, as is the custom in regattas.

The different captains, when asked the condition of aquatic sports in their localities, report that they are decidedly gaining popularity and that increased interest is being taken in them. It is expected that next year Victoria, New Westminster and Tacoma will have crews in the field and make a bid for the championship.

A great race is expected between the senior fours of the Portland and Burrard's Inlet, Vancouver, team, the present champions. Last year the Burrard's Inlet crew won by half a length, and if victorious this time the cup, which was presented by the Canadian Pacific, and valued at $350, will become their personal property. The Portland crew has been practicing hard for four weeks and is in first-class condition. It has a new shell, and the members say if they don't win it will be because the other fellows are better oarsmen. The champions have been training for the past six weeks under Alex McLean, formerly rowing partner and trainer of Stansbury, the world's champion. They are the heaviest team in the regatta and are the favorites in the betting.

The prize race of the regatta, and the one that is attracting the most attention, will be the senior singles between Champion Quackenbush, of the Willamettes, and R. N. Johnson, of the Burrard Inlets. These two are the only entries in this event, and are old-time rivals. Quackenbush is probably one of the most famous single-scull amateur rowers in the country. He is the man that both Hanlan and O'Connor said would some day be champion oarsman of the world. It is said he can row forty strokes to the minute for the entire distance of one and one-half miles, and finish apparently as fresh as at the start. Johnson has been trained especially by McLean for this race, and is said to be in fine trim and rowing like a demon.

Ed Werlein, deputy city treasurer of Portland, is in charge of the Willamette crew and is loud in his praises of their work, and says the opposing crews will have to row fast to beat his team. He said if Quackenbush loses the single championship he and his team will have to walk home.

The Portland, Burrard Inlet and Vancouver crews are stopping at the Rainier and the Willamette crew is at the Butler.