The Saint John Globe, Monday, July 31^st, 1922

Toronto Oarsman Taught a Needed Lesson

Dibble Tried To Jockey Belyea

And Was Driven Out of Race – Dibble Apologized – Belyea in Fine Form – His Supporters Highly Delighted

(From Globe’s own Reporter)

St. Catharines, Ont., July 30. – In successfully defending his championship title on Saturday, Hilton Belyea rowed a remarkable race. "Belyea was twenty per cent better to-day than at Philadelphia," said Joe Wright. To dash into Dibble’s obstructing shell at the beginning of the last quarter, then to back water, start all over again, cross the finish line three lengths in front of W.E.G. Gilmore in 8.09 1-5, carry his shell from the race course across a street and down a yard to his boat-house was a fair afternoon’s work. Hilton was given a rousing a reception by spectators at the conclusion of his spectacular victory. His summary removal of Bobby Dibble electrified onlookers and will be talked about for a long time.

When the fast tiring Dibble crossed into Hilton’s water a quarter of a mile from the finish line, with the evident intention of rowing the champion off his course or of giving him his backwash, Belyea struck like a viper. His oars were whipped through the water in three short, sharp, powerful drives which propelled his craft like a streak near the stern. Then a few back paddles by Belyea to clear his rival’s boat and he was off again for the finish. "Dibble, you are out of it. Don’t row anymore," came a shout from the officials’ boat, and the Don oarsman raised his hand signifying he understood. Belyea’s courage and clear thinking in a crisis, also the tremendous reserve power he displayed when his shell leaped for Dibble’s, were subjects of general discussion on Saturday night at the headquarters of the various crews. That Dibble had attempted an old trick of his and had come off second best to a cool and resourceful opponent was the general opinion.

The senior sculls started at four-thirty, and, with the crack of the gun, Dibble, in centre stream, went to the front. Belyea had the inside course, and got away to a good start, but lagged behind a brief interval before his boat got well underway. Dibble sculled the fastest, apparently bent on getting a commanding lead, and in about three-quarters of a mile had two or three lengths’ advantage. Belyea now increased his pace, and rapidly drew away from Huestis, rowing on his left. Hilton moved towards the centre of the course, rowing thirty-four strokes to the minute, and started to gain on Dibble, who began to steer badly, swerving to the right and then coming back. The race had now developed into two sections, Gilmore and Durnan, several lengths in the rear, staging a battle which lasted over the entire route, Gilmore winning by inches. Out in front, Belyea, when nearing the final quarter, uncorked a sprint, his shorter choppy strokes bringing his close up to Dibble.

Belyea’s shell, at this point, was moving much faster than his rival’s. Dibble responded with a spurt, and a second later the shells were seen to come together, Dibble pulled his stunt at the beginning of the crucial stage of the race, when it is generally believed he had rowed himself out. Hilton, describing the dramatic occurrence, said: I had just passed the white quarter flag, so close to it that my oar almost touched it. I knew then that I was well over on my course. I caught a glimpse of the stern of Dibble’s boat in front. I could not pass him without going outside my own flag on the left or passing to the right towards his water, so I pointed my shell towards his, drove her, and the bow of my boat struck his about six feet from the stern. I then backed up with one oar. Dibble pulled away, and I started ahead. Last year, Dibble was warned three times for crowding me. He crowed Butler off his course towards the grandstand. No damage was done to Belyea’s boat beyond a slight tear in deck fabric in the bow.

Speaking of Hilton, Lou Marah said: "Belyea is a wonderful athlete. Before the start he was cool and imperturbable, yet keyed to the right nervous tension. He was in perfect condition."

St. Catharines, Ont., July 30- Hilton Belyea left tonight for Philadelphia to compete at the N.A.A.O. regatta on Saturday next.

Before leaving he declared his willingness to go to Duluth on Labor Day to meet Walter Hoover, if the latter will defend the gold cup. Belyea maintains that his condition at Philadelphia, when Hoover defeated him last June, was not what it should have been. "If Hoover can beat me in September I will have no alibi," he said.