Dead Heat In Diamond Harbour Event

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30041, 28 January 1963, Page 11

Dead Heat In Diamond Harbour Event

Astonished officials and a cheering crowd of several hundred spectators on Saturday saw a dead heat for first place between a man and a woman after two miles and a half of neck-and-neck salt water swimming. -'he winning pair. Miss L. Harrow (Spneydon) and D. Johnston (Riccarton), who were competing in the senior scratch race for the St. Albans Trophy during the Canterbury Swimming Centre's annual longhts.

distance open water events held at Diamond Harbour for the first time, both collapsed exhausted on the rocky beach and had to be assisted away from the finishing line. Apart from sharing the St. Albans Trophy, Miss Harrow also won the Stentlford Cup for the fastest woman swimmer in the event. Both Miss Harrow and Johnston recorded a time of Wrnin fisec for the distance. The third place-getter, R. Nicholson (Wharenul), finished strongly in S3min 30 sec.

The eenior scratch race was a new event for Canterbury open water swimming, and did not attract many leading long distance swimmen There were only eight starters. However, this did not detract tn any way from the excellent performances of Miss Harrow and Johnston.

Long Battle Miss Harrow and Johnston battled for supremacy right round the four-lap course and at no stage was there more than a few yards between them. Johnston set the pace for most of the distance, but was forced to take second place for a period half way through the last lap. With about 300 yards to go he again took the lead but when the pair rounded the last buoy for the comparatively short swim to the beach, they were neck-and-neck.

The junior scratch race over one mile for the junior St. Albans Cup drew only three starters. It was won comfortably by M. Gould (St. Albans), who earlier in the dsy gained fastest time in the Spreydon Cup teams' event, in a time of 24min 24sec. R. Brodie (Spreydon) was second in 25mln ss*c. Entries for the one mile handicap harbour swim for the HMS. New Zealand Shield (teams’ event), the A Simpson trophy (fastest time) and RlcCarton Cup (first swimmer home) were almost as disappointing as the newly constituted scratch events, possibly due to the isolated nature of Diamond Harbour compared with Corsair Bay, th* previous venue. There were only 10 starters for the raee and th* teams' event had to be abandoned. Selector Wias A. Lee (Spreydon). a Canterbury swimming selector and captain of the province’s surf teem to compete before th* Queen, showed great form to take fastest time at tomia over th* two-lap course. A hopeful sign for the future was_givai by th* large entry at 37 tot the junior handicap raee. incorporating the Spreydon Cop (teams’ race), junior A Simpson Cup (fastest time) and the R. Luscomb* Cup (first swimmer home). Conditions for foe races were p6rt*et..,.iMwrit th* dld cause erasteerable discomfort to competitor*. Th* weather was perfort and th* water was war* and still. Retailed results were:— Settler Bvent* On* MUe Handicap Race over

two laps.—Rlccarton Cup, for handicap pladngi: P. Hale (Rio carton), handicap 2mln 49seo, time 2830, 1; Mias P. Whltta (Rlccarton), go. »:4, 1; B. Wright (St. Albans), 4:28. 29 44, 3. A. Simpson Cup for fastest times: A. Lee (Spreydon), 20:0, 1: P. Harrow (Spreydon), 22:40, 2; N. Roake (Spreydon), >4:39, 3. H.M.S. New Zealand. Shield for teams’ race: No contest.

Two Miles and a Half Scratch Race for St. Albans TrophyMiss L. Harrow (Spreydon) and D. Johnston (Ricearton), 49:9 (equal) 1; R. Nicholson (Wharenui), 03:30, 3: Mias R. MacKenzie (Rangiora), 04:15, 4; B. Wright (St Albans), 0:34. 5. Stentlford Cup for fastest woman: Miss L. Harrow (Spreydon).

• Junior Kventa Half-mile Handicap of one lap.—R. Luscombe Cup for handicap placlngs: Miso D. Whltta (Rlccarton), 1:15, 17:7. 3; Miso V. Guthrie (Rlccarton), 1:10. 17:15, 3; Miss S. Caln (Wherenul), 50.0. 17:13, 3. Junior, A. Simpson Cup for fastest time: M. Gould (St. Albans). 1139, 1; M. Johnston (Fendalton), 11:37. 2: Miss N. Clark (Drewood), 12:25, 3. Spreydon Cup for teams' section: Wharenui A (Misses J. O'Connor. A. Mitchell., 8. Caln. M. Jonas) 1. Fendalton (Misses J. Balgent. C. Johnson and M. Johnston, I. Johnson) 2, Wharenui B and D (equal) 3. One Mlle Scratch Race for Junior St. Albano Cup.—M. Gould (St. Albans), M:34. 1: R. Brodie (Spreydon), S 3, 3; D. Clyne (Spreydcss), 3 Stentlford Cup tot fastest girt: no contest.