In all these races the wind was blowing a gale, and those who won the toss, and could run close up under the lee of the line of spectators had a decided advantage, and as a matter of fact they won in every case.
A WORLD’S RECORD
Since this Dix has won in the Swiss skating matches of 1913, and here it may be of interest to add the following, which appeared in The Times of February 3, 1913:—
“SPEED-SKATING.
International Race in Christiania.
(From our Correspondent.)
Christiania, Feb. 1.
“The International Skating Race held here to-day over a course of 10,000 metres was won by the Norwegian skater, Oscar Mathieson. His time was 17 min. 22⁶⁄₁₀ sec., which is a world’s ‘record.’ The Russian, Ipolitow, was second, his time being 17 min. 35⁵⁄₁₀ sec. The previous world’s ‘record’ was 17 min. 36⅗ sec.”
‘Metres’ fairly beat me, but I take it that 10,000 of them would be about six miles.