CHANNEL RACE

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27734, 11 August 1955, Page 13

CHANNEL RACE

MISS SWEENEY READY (Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 10. Margaret Sweeney, the New Zealand entrant in the mass Channel swim, due to begin tonight at Cap Gris Nez, France, plans to contest the 32-mile Lake Ontario race at the end of, this month if she is "reasonably successful” in tonight’s swim. She said this at Folkestone, where she has been training for the Channel swim, in which 14 xacn and five women will take part, A green eocket will start the swimmers at midnight on the gruelling 22mile race to the English shore. The weather improved today. It was feared earlier that rough seas off the starting point would cause a postponement. The final “all clear” will not be given until 11.30 p.m. The favourite is Tom Parr, aged 31, of the United States. The women’s section is expected to provide a tussle between Miss Sweeney and Gabriel Vegni, aged 21, of Egypt. Miss Sweeney will be accompanied by an all New Zealand crew of four. In her boat will be Nursing Sister Rennie, of Dunedin; Judd Davy, of Rotorua: Don Branch, of Auckland: and a London-born former Royal New Zealand Navy man. Keith Lister, now of Auckland: in addition to her coach, Mr Frank Hay.

Mr Hay said that after consultation with yachtsmen and a study of the latest Admiralty charts, Miss Sweeney had decided to swim the Channel on a compass course. “We think that is the answer to Channel swimming.” he said. “We have been in close liaison witl Dr. Griffiths Pugh, of Everest fame, and on his advice Margaret wifi not be eating during the actual swim. We feel it will be best if she has a big meal before the race and carries on as far as she can without taking nourishment.”

Miss Sweeney told Reuters last night: “I will do my very best. 1 think it is stamina that will count most added to speed and luck. But I will be trying hard.”