MARATHON SWIM

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 290, 7 September 1928, Page 11

MARATHON SWIM

ARDUOUS CONTEST IN LAKE ONTARIO NONE OF COMPETITORS COMPLETE COURSE (Australian Press Association.) Toronto, September 5. A hundred and ninety-nine swimmers entered Hie water at 11 o'clock to compete in' tlie 15-uiile Wrigley Marathon swim in Lake Ontario, Ernest Vierkoetter, the German Chaniiel swimmer, last year’s champion, took the lead early and still held it after ten miles, by which time only five were left in the race for six prizes. Miss Gotterdam, of .Seattle, the only woman, quitted soon after the start. George Young, the Canadian Catalina Channel conqueror, gave up before eight miles. Ethel Hertle, last week’s winner, withdrew. Thomas Ariad, of Sydney, and Edgar Finlay represented Australia. With little more than three and a half miles to go Vierkoetter was taken from the water, leaving only four. Three gave up, leaving George Michel, France, the only survivor. It was doubtful if he could finish, and he went on only at his trainer's coaxing, showing distress and moving slowly. -Vierkoetter was unable to move. His eyes were closed and he was apparently unconscious. It took three boats to get him' aboard the Red Cross vessel. The intense cold is blamed for the failure of th swimmer to finish. It was unofficially announced at 8 o’clock tha Michel would be declared the winner of 25,000 dollars when he passed Vierkoetter’s mark at twelve miles. '■ The first prize is 25.000 dollars, the second and third 200 G dollars. Hie fourth 1500 dollars, the fifth 1000 dollars, and the sixth 500 dollars. (Australian Press Assn.—United Service.! (Rec. September 6, 7.5 p.m.) Toronto, September 5. Georges Michel, of Paris, the last remaining contestant in the fifteen miles Marathon swim, was taken from the water at 10.12 p.m., after completing twelve and a half miles. His forced withdrawal leaves 35,000 dollars of prize money unawarded, owing to the stipulation Hint the course must be completed.