Record Times Under Attack

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31599, 9 February 1968, Page 15

Record Times Under Attack

(Bb Our Swimming Reporter)

New Zealand all-comers’ records might be set in eight of the 10 individual events at the international swimming carnival in the Centennial Pool tomorrow afternoon.

The biggest certainty among the potential record-break-ers is the brilliant New South Wales sprinter, M. Wenden, who is building up for attempts on the world 100 and 200 metres records at the Australian championships in two weeks’ time.

After his 53.75ec for 100 metres freestyle at the state championships last month, Wenden appears to have the New Zealand 110 yd freestyle

record (56.75ec) at his mercy. The 220 yd mark (2min Ssec) should also fall In the face of his powerful stroking. Wenden will have strong opposition to keep him on his mettle in both races. His rivals will be the Canadians, J. A. Gilchrist and R. Kasting, and the New Zealanders, G. Smith, A. B. Kindred, L Curry and M. Borrie. It is one of the strongest fields assembled for a men’s freestyle race in this country. Less than a second covers the current times of the leading butterfly swimmers, D. F. Gerrard (New Zealand), B. Hill (New South Wales), and George Smith (Canada). A close and exciting race over 110 yd is assured, and Gerrard’s record of Imin I.2tec could be broken possibly by Gerrard himself. In the women’s races, Miss E. B. Tanner, the Canadian world record-breaker, could set new flgures for 220 yd backstroke and 110 yd butterfly, while her fellow swimmer Miss M. Lay, might better Dawn Fraser’s long standing record for 110 yd freestyle. The 14-year-old Sydney girl, Karen Moras, seems certain to claim the all-comers’ mark for 440 yd freestyle, while Canterbury’s Miss T. K. Shipston could take the 440 yd medley record. She is only l.Ssec away from the figure established by Miss M. E. Olcese (U.S.A.), who also holds the world mark.