SWIMMING

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 95, 16 January 1929, Page 9

SWIMMING

(By

“Trudge")

Wellington Carnival. Greeted with ideal conditions and a large crowd, the Wellington Centre proved a well-deserved success, large and appreciative' crowds following each event with enthusiasm. C. Claridge, swimming in his usual style, made no mistake in adding the 440 yards centre championship to his long list of laurels. It was a poor race, with Claridge increasing his lead on every lap, eventually winning by over 20yds. Had the race been closely contested Claridge would undoubtedly have greatly reduced the time put up. Rix-Trott did not display his true form, and will-require to immensely improve during the next few weeks. Blakeley, who swam well to the eighth lap, cried enough over the final forty yards. It is regarded in some quarters that Claridge is certain to represent Wellington in the 440 yards New Zealand championship. Had the opposition been more “classy,” spectators would have seen Miss K. Miller put up much better time in the 100 yards ladies’ centre championship. She took the lead at the seventy-five yards mark, and won with the greatest of ease. She was never troubled at any stage of the race and made her own time. In Miss E. Hall we have a swimmer of promise. Miss Hall certainly was not in the same class as Miss Miller, but she swam a fine race, and with a little more first-hand tuition will improve. Miss M. Fraser, who was about a touch behind Miss Hall, possesses a nice stroke, which when properly cultivated will give her the desired . speed. K. Spry, who won the 220 yards breaststroke trial, gave a splendid exhibition, and his performance was freely commented upon. The diving exhibition by W. Hicks, D. Mulverhill, J. Penman, D. Tuppeu and J. Foot was highly appreciated by spectators, particularly that of the flight in which all left the high and low boards together, the flight being a grand spectacle. Mulverhill, who is the most improved exponent of this particular branch of the sport in Wellington to-day. was perfect in all the test dives, and won the championship on his merit. Hicks, who had the misfortune to strike his feet on the tail of the board when descending from a screw dive, lost the title through this error. He is still the great diver of a few seasons back when he annexed the Dominion championship. One would not be surprised to see the diving title come to Wellington. Judging on the form shown in the polo match, Wellington should be able to enter an exceptionally strong team in the championships next month.-

Speculation is rife as to whether Norman Dowsctt, the 100yds. champion, will hold his own against W. Cameron at the coming championships here. Judging by the manner in which he is swimming.'at present, and the ease in which he lowered

the present New Zealand time for the JOOyds,, I have high hopes of Cameron beating Dowsett for the title in record time. Dowsett, who was a spectator at Saturday’s carnival, was keenly interested in Cameron’s swim in the centre 100 yards championship—the remarkable ease with which he' appeared to coyer the distance being most noticeable. The meeting of the pair in the championship next month should be well worth going a long way to see. The New Zealand Championships are to be held in Wellington, commencing on February 2 and concluding the following Saturday. The centre is finding some difficulty in billeting out some 30 or so junior boys and girls who will be in Wellington competing at the championships, and Mr. P. Coira, c/o Kilbirnie Post Office, would be pleased to hear fpom any resident willing to assist the centre in this matter. Lindsay for Auckland. “Trudge” has been informed that Dave Lindsay, the Olympic representative who was regarded as Wellington s hopeful in the 220yds. championship of New Zealand, iS leaving Wellington this week to' reside in Auckland. Lindsay, who will take up his residerice in Auckland on the day prior to the closing of nominations for the New Zealand championships will, under the circumstances, be eligible to swim for the Queen City at the coming championships. In Lindsay, Wellington has lost one of her best representatives, and Auckland should profit well from the change.- ■