OPPORTUNITIES FOR TITLE ASPIRANTS

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30342, 18 January 1964, Page 11

OPPORTUNITIES FOR TITLE ASPIRANTS

YEW title-holders will be found in half the senior men's and women's pool events at the 1964 Canterbury swimming championships, which begin today at the Wharenui Coronation Poc-L The retirement of G. Elnisly and the absence of G. Dann, W. G. Andrew, and Miss S. A. Nicholson—who, in aggregate, held 10 of the 20 titles—leaves an open field for several title aspirants.

Miss Nicholson's successor as women's freestyle champion is likely to be Miss J. Clark (University), but she should be thoroughly tested by Miss S. Pi lama (Wharenui) and L. Harrow (Spreydon) —who are also the principal claimants for backstroke honours—and Miss L. Cox (Spreydon), a clear favourite for the butterfly and medley. Miss W. Dale (Spreydon), fresh from special training in Auckland, should make a strong bid for the freestyle and backstroke crowns. In the Onehunga pool this week she accomplished the fastest single lap of her career. In the absence of Dann and Andrew, G. R. Stringer i Wharenui) appeals as the best prospect over the shorter freestyle distances, but the chances of A. McDonald (Spreydon) and G. Le Oren (Christchurch) cannot be discounted. A meeting between Stringer and McDonald over 110yds butterfly could well produce a new centre record, for both are powerful and courageous swimmers wiho thrive on strong competition.

Michael Hay (Elmwood) who is experiencing a goo' s season, should repeat his

triple title success of las' summer in breaststroke and 220yds butterfly, while W. Williamson, one of the country's finest backstroke swimmere, should give a Canterbury audience a taste of the splendid form he displayed at the South Island meeting in Greymouth. The medley champion. P W. Pearce, has the ability to do well in the individual stroke events. He is the present South Island men's butterfly champion and has also been prominent in freestyle (as a Canterbury junior champion) and breaststroke.

The most stirring racing of the championships should be produced by Misses C. Hopper (Spreydon) and M Jones (Wharenui) in the 110yds and 220yds women's breaststroke. Their duels at carnivals earlier in the season have indicated that ths records—which have been broken consistently by Miss Hopper in the last two years —could be further reduced. Among the juniors, Miss L. Blackett could well celebrate her inclusion in the New Zealand team for the Australian junior championships with two new record! in breaststroke. J. Hey (Elmwood, breaststroke and butterfly) and A. Harrow (Spreydon. backstroke) are two experienced boys who should be prominent, and Miss N. Clark (Elmwood) has good prospects in backstroke, butterfly, and medley. It is likely that ti.e boys' freestyle events will be hotly disputed, with B. Mears, R. Gennet and R. Brodie (all Spreydon) and M. Hindle (Wharenui) as the leading contestants.