"A Better Crew"

U.S. rowing crews have run away with so many international regattas (including the last six Olympics) that Americans take such superiority for granted. Last week, in an international meet in Christchurch, N.Z., a husky bunch of Australians gave the rowing world something to think about.

In a dual race with the visiting Bears of the University of California,* the Aussies entered a pickup crew chosen only two months ago (after trials among Australia's best young rowers). In the first 2,000-yd. race on Christchurch's Avon River, the Aussies won by three-quarters of a length. Next day, to show it was no fluke, the Aussies won by a full length. In a third race, this time on the choppy waters of nearby Akaroa Harbor, they did it again.

While California may not have been at regular-season form, the Bears offered no excuses. Said Coach Ky Ebright: "We were beaten by a better crew."

* California crews won for the U.S. in the 1928, 1932 and 1948 Olympics.

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