SWIMMING Dawn Fraser Goes Straight To Pool

Press, Volume C, Issue 29691, 8 December 1961, Page 7

SWIMMING Dawn Fraser Goes Straight To Pool

(New Zealand Press Association)

WEUZNGTON. Dec. 7. The Australian world swimming champion. Miss Dawn Fraser, and Miss Nola Shepherd arrived at Wellington at 6.15 tonight and were taken to the Karori baths where they gave demonstration swims to the delict of a surprised audience. When they arrived at Wellington Airport officials in the reception party asked rather diffidently if Miss Fraser might make a lightning appearance at the interclub carnival at Karori 90 minutes* later. It was not on her itinerary and the officials had no ideas of her staying more than 10 minutes, let alone swimming. It was even made clear that she would not be asked to swim but the Australian, who had reached Wellington at 6.15 pjn.. after travelling from Adelaide since 7 a.m.. turned to Miss Shepherd. They decided they would not only like to appear, but they would appreciate the opportunity to swim. Miss Fraser is not treating her New Zealand tour as a holiday. “It is not merely an exhibition tour,” she said. She would not be swimming to break records, but she would have to swim hard—in preparation for the Australian championships in February. Miss Fraser, holder of five

world records and three Olympic Games gold medals arrived at Wellington Airport from Sydney together with her companion swimmer, Nola Shepherd, and Miss Shepherd's mother, who is acting as chaperone. Her two-week tour will open at the Naenae Olympic pool on Saturday night and after that she will visit Invercargill, Christchurch, Auckland, and Rotorua. Miss Fraser described herself as “90 per cent, fit.” Recently she recorded 63.1 sec for the 100 metres. 2min 27sec for the 220 yards, and smin 21 sec for the 440 yards. She would regard her trip as training for the Australian championships, and her work would naturally be aimed at sprinting. The spirit and enthusiasm with which New Zealand girls would approach competition with her would ensure good times. Miss Fraser affirmed that she was anxious to become the first woman to break one minute for the 100 metres, but said it would be impossible to try to attempt it here at this time of the year. The 245 -year-old champion, the fastest woman swimmer in the world, quashed any rumours that she might be considering retirement. "That’s a long way off. I have never even thought about it." she said.