THE SPORT OF ROWING considered exclusively Britain’s own. However, they are still getting a lot of enjoyment out of the regatta by cheering their college crews in the minor events and looking on with admiration at the superb oarsmanship of the Americans. “They are divided in their opinion as to what will be the result of the race tomorrow between Harvard and the Union Boat Club, but they confess that the Americans are likely to provide in the contest one of the greatest thrills ever experienced at Henley. “Both American crews tonight expressed the greatest confidence of their ability to be returned victors in tomorrow’s race. The Harvard oarsmen said they would repeat their recent victory over Yale at New London and also over the crews at Philadelphia, while the Bostonians promise to prove that, but for a foul, they would have beaten the collegians in the Philadelphia regatta. “The general opinion of the English oarsmen is that the American crews won their places in the final because their training methods were the better. “Of the Harvard crew, a Leander oarsman said tonight, ‘I have never seen a better crew. They row with perfect uniformity and are a credit to America, which has shown the world of sport what teamwork really means. “Guy Nickalls, who coached the Yale crew which recently defeated Harvard, said tonight of Robert F. Herrick, coach of the Harvard second crew, and his men, ‘Herrick has a great bunch of boys and has done wonders with them. He has taught them the exact English style.1539 “‘If Herrick continues to coach, then I shall be nervous at New London next year. 1539 As a rower and coach, Nickalls followed Fairbairn-inspired Classical, not the English Orthodox Technique. See Chapters 24 and 42. They have got a much better catch and swing than they had when they met Yale. “‘The Boston men are the strongest crew, but they have not got the swing, and I believe the collegians will beat them.’”1540 Saturday July 4: “The finals day at Henley today attracted a record attendance, and brilliant sunshine tempered with a light breeze made the weather conditions most pleasant. Hosts of American visitors made the regatta one of the best ever known, and when in the Grand Challenge Cup event the Harvard Second Eight passed the winning post a length and a quarter in advance of the Union Boat Club of Boston, the welkin rang with transatlantic rejoicings over the victory, which for the first time in history saw no English crew defending in the final.”1541 “Harvard, rowing with splendid judgment, secured the coveted trophy for the United States for the first time in its history, which dates back to 1839. “The weather was perfect when the Union and the Harvard crews went to the starting line. The official description of the race says that Boston started at 20 strokes to the first half-minute and 39 to the minute, against Harvard’s 19 and 36. “Boston took the lead at the start, and at the top of the island was a quarter of a length ahead. Boston had a half-length lead at the quarter mile, where Harvard was striking 32 to Boston’s 34. “From that point, Harvard came up steadily, and at the half-mile, the boats were level. Harvard led by a few feet at three- quarters of a mile, where Harvard was striking 34 to Boston’s 33. “Harvard then again went away, and at the mile was three-quarters of a length in front. Boston then spurted, striking 35, but 1540 Associated Press, Harvard Men in Shells, July 3, 1914 1541 Harvard Oarsmen Capture Grand Challenge Cup, The New York Times, July 5, 1914 412
