THE SPORT OF ROWING contest. Their position as masters of the waterways was being usurped. From across the Atlantic came Hanlan, the Canadian Champion of England; from far across the Pacific came the Australian Trickett, Champion of the World. The only consolation seemed to be in knowing that both men were products of her colonies. At least the rowing future of the Empire seemed secure. “The two were www.rowinghistory-aus.info Edward Trickett World Professional Singles Champion 1876-1880 ocean, [Hanlan] crossed over to England to do battle with Trickett, who had been enthroned as World’s Champion in 1876.”564 Edward Trickett different as their countries were distant. Hanlan’s small stature and light weight reinforced his image as the underdog. Trickett instantly created an impression of strength. A strapping man, two metres tall and weighing 90 kilograms,567 he seemed the (1851-1916), a quarryman565 from Sydney, Australia, was huge for his time at 6’3½’’ 192cm 178lb. 81kg.566 He was the first non-Englishman to be crowned World Professional Singles Champion since competitions had begun in 1831. After taking the title from Joseph Sadler in 1876, he had returned to Australia to defend his title against two of his countrymen, Michael Rush in 1877 and Elias Laycock in 1879. Having defeated all comers Down Under, Trickett returned to Britain in 1880. Cosentino: “When Ned Hanlan arrived in London to prepare for his November 15, 1880 race for the world title, the English public was dismayed by the upcoming 564 Rice, James C., Rice Rates Hanlan Ahead of Courtney, The New York Times, May 13, 1917 565 Jacobsen, p. 27 566 as officially measured before a race on May 1, 1882. These are indeed impressive statistics for a man in the mid-19th Century. Other sources listed him as much larger. See below. personification of power.”568 In fact, photographs of Trickett reveal a long-limbed athlete very much in the mold of 20th Century scullers Stuart Mackenzie569 from Australia and Jim Dietz570 from the United States. The outcome of the race was never really in doubt. Cosentino: “[Trickett,] relying on a shorter stroke and the power of his immense arms [i.e., ferryman’s finish], started out with 40 strokes per minute to Hanlan’s 36. “His slight lead at the beginning was quickly wiped out as the full force of Hanlan’s stroke took effect. Reaching the Soapworks, a landmark one and a half kilometers beyond the start, Hanlan’s steady stroke had opened a lead of two lengths, and 567 6’7” 199 lb., an exaggeration 568 Cosentino, op. cit., p. 47 569 See Chapter 86. 570 See Chapter 139. as 154
