SWIMMING

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 467, 27 March 1909, Page 12

SWIMMING

(By Splash.)

FAST SWIMMING AT THORNDON BATHS. A considerable amount of interest was taken in the final race for the Thorndon Club's 100 % rds Handicap on Thursday evening. The following were the starters:—A. W. Smith, 22sec.; 0. NeE son, l(ssec.; D. U'Leod, 12sec.; R. Ronayne, 1 isec.; F. Roberts, ljsec'.; and R. Healy, Bcratch. The limit men did riot receive much attention from the onlookers; all their interest was on the scratch men, as soon as they ontered the water. Roberts and Ronayne swam together for the first 40 yards, but the former passed Ronayne at the turn, and coming down the course again still maintained his load, with Ronayne coming along strongly, a few yards behind. About 25 yards from the winning-post Ronayne made a dash to pass Roberts aa he did in his . previous evening's performance, "but although, his dash was just as brilliant, ho cculd not overtake Roberts, who finished first with a yard to the good. I Healy was third. The time for the raco was 62 4-ssec., which is a few seconds better than the New Zealand record for the distance. This race decided the holder of the Ward Challenge i.Cup, which goes lo F. Roberts, who has an aggregate of 19, points, R Healy being next with 13, and Ronayne (present holder) 11 points. W. H. Dinsmore (Melbourne and Wesley Collego clubs), who is the champion amateur diver of Victoria, has decided to retire from competitions. He has 6uch a splendid record, extending over tho past six or eight years, that hie performances in open and other competitions will be of especial interest to swimmers. For tlireo _ years in succession Dinsmore was the champion swimmer of Wesley College over 100 and 50 yards and diving. In 1907, 1908, and 1909 he was the champion old boy of the college. Last swimming season Miss Lily Beauropalro (sister; of Mr. _JP. E. Beauropaire, the wellknown Australian champion swimmer), was credited with establishing a world's record of lmin. lOsec. for 100 yds., but doubts have been cast on the accuracy of the figures. At Sydney_ last month she was unplaced in tho Ladies' 100 Yards Australasian Championship, which t ,Miss .Gladys Tate, of Sydney, won in lmin; 17'4-ssec. Miss Mina Wylie, who holds a record of lmin. 15 4-ssec., was second. The English Amateur Swimming Association, by 38 votes to 2G, dccided not to sond a ohampion swimmer to Australia, the association desiring to confine itself to Olymplo contests.