SWIMMING

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 158, 1 April 1937, Page 5

SWIMMING

Dominion Champions in Action PENNINGTON DOES WELL Four Australian Finds (By Teudge.) Th. reduction by 6 3-ssec. of the tralian and New Zealand record for 409 metres backstroke by the Otago and Dominion champion, I’. E Mathieson, a wellmerited victory by P. Hanan, Auckland, in the 220 yards men’s free-style, in which the Wellington representative, F. Pennington, dead-heated for third with R. B. Frankham, Auckland, a decisive win by Miss Islay Purdie, Otago, in the 110 yards women’s free-style, and a thrilling duel between her aud the Auckland girl, Miss Nancy Ludlow, in the 440 yards freestyle, winch Miss Ludlow finally .won by inches, were incidents that distinguished the interprovincial swimming contests in the tepid baths, Auckland, on Saturday night. The races were the first of a competition between several of the foremost swimmers in the Dominion, the second series of which took place last Monday. Mathieson’s achievement excepted, a notable feature was the closeness of the times to the New Zealand records. Mathieson maintained a .steady pace, and covered the 400 metres in 5.35. This was also 6 3-5 faster than the time he registered at Melbourne 14 months ago, that performance being the best put up in Australia. When his fresh record was announced, Mathieson received an enthusiastic ovation from the crowd. In compliance with the rules, Mat.\?son swam unpaeed. Pennington Performed Well. Considering the class he was up against F. Pennington, the Wellington champion, performed well to divide third position with R. B. Frankham in a close finish in the 220 yards free-style, the winner, P. Hanan, Auckland, and second, R. Simon. Manawatu, fighting out a great duel. Pennington, who stuck to his task tenaciously, must have surprised Frankham when he touched simultaneously with the Auckland man. It was a fine race with all four placed men always in the picture.

Miss Watts’s Promising Performance. Although she faded into third place at the touch in the women’s invitation scratch 110 yards free-style event on Saturday night, Miss P. Watts, the 15-year-old representative from Wanganui, performed exceptionally well against Misses I. Purdie, Otago, the winner, and N. Ludlow, Auckland, two of the outstanding swimmers in the Dominion. Although Miss Purdie won comfortably, Miss Ludlow was required to go all out to hold her place against the young Wanganui girl.

Considering the class she met Miss Watts’s performance in getting third carried more merit with it than meets the eye, for it was the first occasion this young swimmer opposed such open class. It augurs well for her future in competitive swimming, as she is sure to benefit from the experience gained. More Records Broken.

The second carnival, held on Monday, saw one Australian and New Zealand record and two New Zealand records created by champion competitors. The successful swimmers were Miss Islay Purdie. Otago, who set a new Dominion time of 2.40 for the 220yds. women’s free-style, P. E. Mathieson, Otago, who established an Australian and New Zealand record of 2.37 for the 200 metres backstroke, and P. Hanan, who, in winning the 110yds. men’s scratch race, lowered the New Zealand record for 100 metres (109yds. Ift. lin.) free-style. from 61 to 60 4-5. The “New Zealand Herald” says that in the 220yds. women’s scratch free-style race Mis® Purdie had a stirring tussle with Miss Nancy Ludlow. Auckland, who endeavoured pluckily, but vainly, to reduce the lead established by her opponent. A great final sprint by both ended in Miss Purdie’s winning by a yard. Her time eclipsed by six seconds the record made in the same pool four years ago by Miss Marie Farquhar, Auckland. It was also 5 4-5 superior to the time registered by Miss Mona Leydon in the Auckland championship race in February, and now awaiting recognition as a record by the New Zealand council. By taking 2.41, Miss Ludlow also broke the record. Mathieson’s achievement was the . outcome of his special attempt to lower his own national record of 2.43 4-5. His time was an improvement of six seconds upon P. Oliver’s Australian record, 2.43. On Saturday night he beat the 400 metres record by a substantial margin also. To gain victory in the 110yds. men’s scratch race Hanan was compelled to withstand a desperate challenge from the record-holder, R. B. Frankham, Auckland, who dived away at the start quicker than any of his opponents. With a great burst of speed in the third lap. he managed to lead at 100yds., but Hanan won by a foot through making a better turn. R. Simou, Manawatu, was third. A portion of the laurels was, gained by Simon in the 440yds. men’s free'-style con-

test, which aroused great excitement on account of his fight to hold his lead against spirited opposition. At one stage his three opponents, P. Hanan and R. B. Frankham, Auckland, and F. Pennington, Wellington, drew level with him, but he sped away in the eleventh lap, and, withstanding a challenge from Hanan, won by three yards in 5.2t> 4-o. Third place was filled by Pennington,

Four of the Greatest “Finds.” The opinion of Mr. F. Cady, famous swimming and diving coach and manager of world champion J. Medica, is that Australia has four of the greatest “’finds of the age in swimming and diving. He expressed himself as particularly enthusiastic about Miss Dorothy Green, aged 17, of West Australia, and believes that at the Tokio Olympiad in 1940 she will startle the officials -by turning all the women’s free-style records inside out. Australia should find its greatest sprint swimmer in Robert Newbiggen, aged 15, New South Wales, and one who will, he feels sure, be in the forefront over distances up to 440yds. Speaking of Robin Biddulph, aged 16, New South Wales?, the American coach said this youngster was without peer at his age as a free-style distance and mid-dle-distance swimmer and that he had the temperament, physique and a happy-go-lucky nature essential in a world champion. Of the divers he saw in Australia Mr. Cady spoke in glowing terms of a 15-year-old lad named Norris, whom he saw in Victoria. This youngster, he was sure, had the makings of an out and out champion.

Miss Basstian’s Record. Mies Nancy Basetian’a time of 3.33 4-5 for the 200 metres women’s backstroke championship of Southland is to be claimed as a New Zealand record. The 200 metres is a new race this year, and so far results from other centres are not. to hand. It is stated that Mies Basstian could undoubtedly have put up a faster time, but being the only starter in the race, and having not long before competed in a strenuous 440yds., she could not be blamed for not extending herself unduly.

Value of Medina’s Coach. The visit of Jack the American and world champion middle-distance swimmer and his coach, Mr. F. Cadv, has been of considerable benefit to Sydney swimmers, but if Medica had not been accompanied by a competent coach, such as Mr. Cady, hie trip would not have been of such great practical value. While Medica demonstrated the strokes and the relaxation and efficient turning, Mr. Cady in simple phrases revealed the secrets of their effectiveness.