ATHLETICS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 131, 16 March 1936, Page 3

ATHLETICS.

V. P. BOOT DEFEATED. , MILE RACE AT WELLINGTON. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, March 15. In an excellent exhibition of athletics prowess Canterbury and Wellington drew with; nine points each in the second annual inter-provincial athletic contest at the Basin Reserve yesterday. ’The sensation was the defeat of V. P. Boot, who won the half-mile and mile titles at the national meeting. He was beaten by A. R. Wilson, who ran second to Boot at Dunedin, in the last stride alter a most exciting race. Conditions for fast times were not good, a stropg northerly wind being a definite handicap. The race was expected to lie the event of the day and the public wore not disappointed,. All eyes were on Boot, who drew the inside. At the gun he allowed P. Wilson and A. R. Wilson to lead him for a lap, when, alter a glance at his stop-watch, he went into second place. After a lap and a half he took the lead from P. Wilson, A. R. Wilson moving up and following him in second place. These two drew right away from the other competitors, their order remaining unchanged until the filial lap. Boot, with. Wilson right on his heels, commenced to increase his pace 200 yards from home and momentarily drew away from the Wellington champion. The race appeared, to he in Boot’s keeping at this stage, but Wilson, once the runners turned into the straight, responded gamely and gradually reduced Boot’s lead to win a most exciting race in the last stride. The time, 4min 25sec, must rank the performance, in view of the strong wind, as perhaps tho_best ever made on the Basin Reserve for tiie distance. Boot, who lias a fine, springy style, was reminiscent in style of Randolph Rose. He is well made, having a. fine chest and shoulder development. His lap times were 64 4-ssoc, 66 3-ssec, 72 3-ssec, 61soc. Wilson throughout the season lias shown fine form in Wellington. AUSTRALIANS FOR OLYMPIC GAMES. MELBOURNE, March 14. Australia’s Olympic team was selected last night ns follows: — Athletes: Jack Metcalf (N.S.W.), G. Backhouse njid A. Watson (Victoria). Cyclists: Duncan Gray (N.S.W.), T. Johnston and C. Wheeler (Victoria). Wrestlers: R. Garrard (Victoria), E. Scarf (N.S.W.). Boxer: L. Cook (Queensland). Swimmers: P. Oliver (Western Australia), Miss Pat Norton (N.S.W.). Sculler: C. Pearce (N.S.W.). Mr H. Aldorton (N.S.W.) will he manager of the team. The team is as strong numerically as that at the last Olympic Games. A feature is the stronger section granted to cycling, boxing and wrestling. The Australian. Olympic Federation approved the New South: Wales police crew being sent as Australia’s official representative in the eight-oared rowing, subject to sifficient funds being raised from sources outside the normal revenue of the Federation. IN OLYMPIC CLASS. WOMAN JUMPER’S EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE. The Australian women’s high jump champion, Doris Carter, proved that she is <in Olympic class recently, when she cleared sft 3 3-Bin at the women’s

inter-club athletic meeting to break her own national record by 3-Bin. The standard set by the Australian Olympic Federation for tlie women’s high jump is sft o£in. Miss Carter won the high jump championship at the National Games in Adelaide recently, clearing sft lin. The world’s record is sft s£in, made by Jean Shiley (U.S.A.) at the last Olympiad in Los Angeles. Miss Carter sustained a painful injury to her ankle in the 90 yards hurdles event. She received attention at the ground from St. John Ambulance officials and later visited a masseur. Only 23, Miss Carter has been ii member of tlio Melbourne Women s Athletic Club since its inception six years, ago. , , . She is a teacher at. a btatc school in Preston, and her ambition is to visit England through the teacher’s exchange system. This is not possible, however, until she reaches the age of 25.