THE CHINA MAIL, JULY 6, 1997.
M
IN
Max Schmeling, German contender for the world heavyweight crown, and Dr. Raphael Levy, have a hearty laugh as Max is weighed in for his bout with the “Phantom. Max thought he was going to fight Jim Braddock in New York for the championship, but he was mistaken. Jim didn't show up-he was in training for a bout with Joe Louis in which he was subsequently knocked out.
MARINA'S SUCCESS AT FALMOUTH
WINS 24-MILE YACHT RACE AFTER MISHAP
(By Major B. HECKSTALL-SMITH)
London, June 7. The second day of the Falmouth Town Regatta on Saturday again made up in the quality of sport for whatever it lacked in quantity. The course was ideal-a triangle giving a sound test of sailing upon every point; deep but smooth water and a beautiful fresh southerly breeze, with the blue bay of Falmouth glittering in the afternoon sun.
WIMBLEDON SEEN 50 YEARS AGO
WHEN WOMEN'S SKIRTS TOUCHED GROUND
FIRST FOREIGN ENTRY
(By F. R. BURROW)
London, June 11. EITHER as a spectator or as an official, I have known "Wimbledon" for close on 50 years. I first watched a match there in 1886 and since then I have seldom missed going to see the Champion- ships, and for the last 16 years I have been respon- sible for the arrangements of every match that has gone into court on the old ground and the new.
THE CHANGE FROM WIMBLEDON AS IT WAS WHEN FIRST KNEW IT TO WHAT IT IS TO-DAY IS VERY GREAT. I IMAGINE NOTHING COULD ILLUSTRATE IT MUCH BETTER THAN THAT, IN THE COURSE OF THE FIRST MATCH I EVER SAW ON THE OLD GROUND, A SEMI-FINAL OF THE MEN'S SINGLES BETWEEN ERNEST RENSHAW AND HERBERT CHIPP, CHIPP STOOPED AND PICKED A HEAD OF CLOVER- FROM THE GRASS, AND EXPRESSED HIS OPINION VERY OUTSPOKENLY INDEED, THAT THE COURT HAD NOT BEEN MOWN FOR A WEEK!
Those who knew that court as it afterwards became under the care of Commander Hillyard-the famous Centre Court which was the Mecca of the world's best players before the move was made to the new ground may regard this incident as incredible; but it is nevertheless perfectly true. I saw and heard-it happen.
But there are other, and quite commodate the crowds that flocked as great, changes, between then to see her; and even when the new and now,” One of the most in-ground was opened, with its Centre teresting is the huge increase in Court's six thousand, often enough the numbers of those who wish the gates had to be closed when she to try their luck at Wimbledon. | was on the court. Fifty years ago there were 28 Indeed, it was said of her that entries for the Men's Singles; though more than one player could now over 250 send in their fill the Centre Court, she was the names, though only 128 can be only one who could empty it when accepted. Less than 40 years ago she was playing on an outside only eight women competed in court! Suzanne Lenglen gave the Singles; nowadays over 200 great fillip to women's play, both in struggle for 96 places.
this country and in all others; and it is almost entirely due to her that any present-day developments in wo-
man's play have happened.
.
·HER DAUGHTER'S SANDWICHES
It is amusing to contrast pictures
Sir William Burton's Marina won the race of 24 miles, with FIRST FOREIGN ENTRANTS Evaine second and Flica third. The new 12-metre, Little Astra, It was many years before made her first appearance. This blue-hulled vessel is a good-look-foreigner tried his luck. Two ing yacht, designed by W. Charles Nicholson for Mr. Hugh Paul. Americans, R. D. Sears and James That she was not successful and remained last from start to finish Dwight, were the first, exactly 50 probably has little significance, because her owner and crew are not years ago, but it was not till 1902 of women players of even twenty yet accustomed to her, and her big jib seemed to stand indifferently. that any Continental player enter-years ago with the appearance they ed, and then Belgium sent two, P. now present on court. Then, their She was not in the picture with committee vessel with Marina's de Borman and R. Lemaire. What skirts touched the ground, they Marina, Evaine and Flica, all bows close to her taffrail and a change to-day, when just half of wore large hats, and even gloves: three of which were perfectly Evaine 150 yards astern.
the 128 players in the Men's Singles now, short skirta are rapidly giving trimmed and handled...
JIB QUICKLY RESET
are representatives of overseas na- way to shorter “shorts,” a bandeau The boats came out of harboui Marina then lost a few yards by tions!~\/\/
or an eyeshade is their only head- with reefed mainstails, but reefs breaking a hank on her jib-hil- Naturally, English and Irish gear, and stockings are things of were shaken out before the start-liards, but her jib was reset imme-players, provided all the Champion- the past. If one could see into the ing-gun fired, and the match began diately. In the last round Marina ship winners for about 30 years future, it would be interesting to with a turn to windward with whole sailed to windward better than after the championship began; but visualise the dress of the finalists sail and a nice southering fresh ever, and just taking the weather no English or Irish player had won in the Mixed Doubles, gay in 1950– breeze.
mark away from Flica, became the Men's Singles for the last 25 but it would be impossible to fore-
years before Perry, In the later tell it!
FLICA LEADS
Huddled up close to the Fal-leading boat. mouth dock pier end, to contest the After they had gone round Pen-period Australia, New Zealand, Wimbledon is, naturally, the most weather berth, Mr. Hugh Goodson dennis Point to run to the finishing America, and France have all in serious of all tournaments; so much had a little the better of the start, line they had to gybe. Flica was their turn had their periods of suc- is at stake for the participators in and the boats cross-tacked away running in Marina's "wake, and cess; South Africa, Spain and Ger- it. Yet it has its humorous hap- out of the broad harbour entrance these vessels delayed their gybe as many have been within striking penings, though they occur more between Pendennis Point and St.(late as possible. Mr. Fairey, in distance; and Japan-well, who can often on the outside courts than in Anthony Point.
Evaine, half a mile from the finish, tell what Japan will not do, with the full glare of the Centre Court. was still 150 yards behind Flica, the skill, energy, and determination I once saw an important double but gybed early and set his spin of her eager young representatives? held up for nearly two minutes by Flica was leading the fleet and naker to port.
MAWOMEN'S PLAY
a sparrow, which, apparently bitten was 53sec. ahead of Marina at the
100 YARDS
One of the most extraordinary by a desire to take part in the game. windward mark boat, with Evaine While Sir William Burton, it developments of Wimbledon is in kept flying backwards and forwards close astern of her. The new boat Marina, all the time held the race connection with women's play. Be over the net, and resolutely refused did not sail the same water as the safely in hand to win by 100 yards, fore the war, except for an Ameri- to be ""shoo'ed" away. other three yachts, but, standing Evaine ran up on Flica and, pass can success on a couple of occa- over towards St. Anthony, soon be-ling her to windward, secured the sions, home players were quite in- I have seen an American competi- gan to lose distance and was never second prize by a margin of two vincible; but it would be able to recover a good position. yards. It was a wonderful finish pretend that anywhere be idle to tor having served in the last game near so of one set serve again, in the first There was
was no appreciable differ- The old light displacement Solent much interest was taken in their of the next without defection; ence in the speed of Flica, Marina rater, Mayfly, built in 1898, again contests as in the men's. and Evaine either in reaching or won the handicap, allowance by But in the, very first post-war to say that when he tried this running. The leading pair, possí- 2min. 23sec.
tournament, in 1919, all this was genious idea on again later in the bly owing to being ahead, did very - There will be two more days' changed by the advent of Suzanne match, the official was wider awake. slightly better than Evaine to wind- racing at Falmouth under the Royal Lenglen, the best woman player, the I have personally been called a ward. This order was maintained Cornwall Y.C. to-day and to-mor game has ever seen. Her play was "damned profiteer" by an infuriat- during two rounds. At the end of row, after which the yachts proceed so attractive that the old grounded gentleman at the Old Ground be- the second round. Flica tumed the to Plymouth.
rapidly became far too small to ac
✅Continuel on Fage 22,
CLEVER TRICK
though it is only fair to the argu
D