N.Z. SWIMMERS SET 3 RECORDS

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31129, 4 August 1966, Page 17

N.Z. SWIMMERS SET 3 RECORDS

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) KINGSTON. Three New Zealand swimmers unofficially broke their own national records when the final trials before the Empire Games start on Friday were held yesterday.

D. F. Gerrard cut .ssec off the 110-yard butterfly record, Miss M. Mcßae was .9sec inside her own 220 yards backstroke mark, and Miss V. I. Haddon was .ssec better than her 110 yards breaststroke record.

The team coach, Mr M. A. Doidge, was very elated with the form shown by the New Zealanders and said training would now taper off in preparation for competition. Gerrard’s time for the 110 yards was 60.7 sec. This would have won him a silver medal at Perth, behind the Australian, K. Berry, who won the event there in 59.55ec. Berry is not competing in Kingston. Miss Mcßae’s effort would also have gained her second place at Perth, .Bsec behind Miss L. Ludgrove, of England. In some ways, Miss Haddon’s performance was the best of the day. She has been suffering from a sore throat but apparently this has not affected her form.

The Auckland girl’s time would have won her the gold medal in Perth that she so narrowly lost to Miss A. Lonsbrough, of England, in a

photo-finish. Both swimmers were timed at Imin 21.3 sec in 1962, but yesterday Miss Haddon covered the distance in Imin 21.1 sec. Although the other swimmers in the team did not break New Zealand times, they were all in good form.

P. O'Carroll swam 65.65ec for the 110 yd backstroke, just outside his own New Zealand record, while both A. Seagar and A. Graham covered the 110 yd breaststroke at about 75sec. The 14-year-old Miss T. Shipston, youngest member of the 1966 Games team, swam a comfortable 110 yd breaststroke trial. There will be no more "allout” trials for the New Zealanders.