1912 Olympic Games Official Report Part 2

of clearsighted, energetic work that, under such circumstances, it was found possible tobring together such a crew as that of the B. R. G., which has probably very few rivals.After these reflections we can return to the race. Just before reaching theboat-house, Leander, which had the outside curve, spurted and managed to pick upabout half a length, while the Germans, in our opinion, committed the fault of notmaking use of the advantage given by the possession of the inner curve, and makingan extra exertion which would have certainly increased the distance between themand the English crew, or, in any case, would have kept them at their previousdistance in the rear. Fleming put his men to a severe test from the bath-houseto the bridge, and the determination and speed by means of which Leander drewlevel with their opponents after one minute’s rapid spurt, were simply unique.The German crew was not rowed out, however, and a desperate struggle tookplace all the way from the bridge to the finish, the result being that Leanderwon by about half a length in 6 min. 162/G sec.A careful observer could not but note that it was in consequence of faulty tacticsthe German crew lost, and not because it was physically inferior to its opponents.That was the impression we gained, at all events, and on the supposition that the crewswere physically equal to each other, the faults committed by the losers were the following.After having gained the decided lead he had, the German stroke did notdefend this advantage energetically, for., at the bath-house in the inner curve,he should have spurted with all his power and then with equal energy have defendedhis position against Leander, which, it could safely be calculated, would make itsstrongest spurt from the bath-house and under the bridge, where the British crewhad the advantage of position.Instead, however, of defending his hard-won lead to the utmost, the Germanstroke allowed Leander to come up, and thus let the victory depend on the resultof the last minute along the finish, where Leander was superior to its rival.Final.Friday, 19 July.6 p. m.GREAT BRITAIN (Lean- GREAT BRITAIN (Newder C.)College)D. L.The two boats rowed side by side until the 1,000 metres mark waspassed, when Leander spurted in order to neutralize Bourne’s effortsat the bath-house, where New had the inner curve. Then Flemingpressed his men from the bath-house to the bridge, so that Leanderled by a clear length at the latter place, all Bourne’s efforts beingunable to prevent New from falling behind. Leander won by abouta length in the good time of 6.15.FOURS, OUTRIGGERS.First Round.Wednesday, 17 July.Heat 1. 6.20 p. m.DENMARK (Polyteknic R. C.)W. O.Time 7.20.667