Diving title to Wagstaff again

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33448, 1 February 1974, Page 10

Diving title to Wagstaff again

Four Commonwealth Games gold medals is Don Wagstaff’s tally after he retained the I men’s highboard diving title yesterday.

The sturdy Australian teacher gave his rivals an unforgettable lesson in technique from the 10m platform — and also showed intelligence in planning the order of his dives.

Wagstaff, aged 24. trailed his team-mate, the 18-year-old Andrew Jackomos, until the half-way stage in the voluntary section. Then he produced a superb forward three and a half somersaults, with pike, which yielded the best mark of the contest, 68.73 points. This gave him a clear lead, and he maintained it to the end. His winning total was 490.74 points. Wagstaff started with basically uncomplicated dives and built up to his piece de resistance, a one and a half somersault with three twists. Strangely, the judges’ marks varied from 5| to B|, but the return of 62.64 points was a reasonable reward. Wagstaff’s aerial work was notable for its control, and his 30 m.p.h. entries were well-nigh perfect. There is little doubt that Jackomos (472.47 points) will eventually succeed Wagstaff — as Australian champion at the very least. He is a fine cut of a diver; very supple and confident.

Two Canadians — Scott Cranham. and Rick Friesen — battled keenly for the bronze medal. Friesen (459.16) appeared to have overtaken his team-mate in the final round, but after a computing error had been

detected, Cranham (460.98) won the bronze by a point.