INTERNATIONAL ROWING TURNS PROFESSIONAL British Pathé Newsreel, 1812-01, Royal Regatta 1965 Diamond Sculls Final 1 Don Spero 7:42, 2 H.A. Wardell-Yerburgh, verdict: ¾ length Spero at 35 casually observed a game but thoroughly beaten Wardell-Yerburgh at 36 as the two approached the finish line. Note the body language. 1960 and 1964 Olympic Silver Medalist, as the favorites.3825 They met in the first round. The Times of London: “Though rating lower, 36 to 39, Hill made the pace off the start, leading by a few feet at the top of Temple Island and reaching the barrier in 2min. 13sec., equal to the old record. At Fawley (3min. 43sec.), Hill led by half a length and was three seconds inside the record, both men now rating 32. “About Remenham Club, Hill seemed to have had enough, and Spero came through; but the German found a second wind and chased Spero all the way home. Spero won by two lengths in 7min. 46sec. The old record of 7min. 54sec. was set by his compatriot, S. Cromwell, last year.”3826 Spero disposed of NYAC teammate Fran Sulger (two and one-half lengths) and B. Forbes of Nithsdale Amateur Rowing 3825 Important Races in Open Events at Henley, The Times of London, June 30, 1965 3826 Spero Brings Diamond Sculls Record Down by Eight Seconds, The Times of London, July 1, 1965 Club of Scotland (easily) in the next two rounds in times considerably slower than his new course record. In the final, Spero lined up against Hugh Wardell-Yerburgh, 6’2” 189cm 183lb. 83kg, representing Bristol Rowing Club. The Englishman had been 3-seat in the very impressive 1964 Tideway Scullers Olympic Silver Medal Coxless-Four.3827 The Times of London: “There was no more stirring performance than that of Wardell-Yerburgh, who, but for a slight error in judging pace, might have held the Diamonds today. At 40, he led the American, Spero, at 45, up the Island. At the Barrier he had something over half a length, with both men at 31. At Remenham Club, Spero forced his way past, and for a few strokes Wardell-Yerburgh seemed to think himself beaten. At the bottom of the enclosures he realized that he was not, and he all but came back to win. 3827 See Chapter 85. 1053
