BUT HANCOX FAILS

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30862, 22 September 1965, Page 19

BUT HANCOX FAILS

f Special Correspondent N.Z PAA FOLKESTONE, Sept. 21. Ihe New Zealand long-distance swimmer, Keith Hancox, yesterday abandoned his England to France channel swim because of a painful right shoulder.

He had been in the water 6hr 15min when he signalled to his pilot boat he was coming out. He was nine miles from the French coast. The 26-year-old Cook Strait record-holder, who is a mem her of the Island Bay Surf Club, began his swim from Shakespeare Beach. Dover Three Succeeded If he had succeeded in swimming front England to France he would have been the fourth to complete a double crossing of the channel in the same season. In August, he successfully swam from France to England in 15hr 33min—becoming the first New Zealander ever to beat the channel. Hancox was dejected as he came back to Folkstone on the trawler. Opportunity. Weather and sea conditions were perfect. The sky was a clear blue and there was just a breath of wind. The water temperature was 59 degrees "On Right Course" “1 was going so well.” he said. The shoulder troubled him i during his first channel swim In the interval he had given! it heat treatment and the in i jury had not troubled him during training for this at-1 temut. "Everything was perfect. 1 knew I was going on the > right course. I wish 1 could have finished.” Hancox said he would prob-; ablv try again next year. He began well, and his I pilot. Mr Reg Bickel!, a Folkestone fisherman, was confident. “If he can keep it up we will land him at Cap Gris Nez in about 13 hours.” At 11 o’clock, three hours after starting, Hancox said he was feeling fine. A cross-

channel ferry gave him a friendly toot and slowed down as it passed by.

The tide then changed, giving him a period of about two ■ hours slack water. I At mid-day, more than eight miles out. Hancox said' | “It’s marvellous." An hour later, after covering about half the distance, he was still happy. In the next hour, however, his stroking slowed down and his right arm seldom broke water. Stopped For Coffee At 2 o'clock he stopped for a cup of coffee. “I don’t think it’s worth going on. My right shoulder is giving me trouble, and 1 can’t lift my arm,” he isaid. He was urged by the traw- ; ler crew to continue. Ten i minutes later he signalled he 'was coining in. Observers on the trawler were disappointed. Mr Wood, a Channel Swimming Association official, said he was certain that Hancox could have comnleted the distance. “That boy has a marvellous style. It’s a shame that his shoulder has stopped him achieving his ambition.”