SWIMMING

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 104, 26 January 1939, Page 5

SWIMMING

Slower Arm-circle An Advantage TONIGHT’S CARNIVAL Centre Championships To Be Decided

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A number of swimmers in training in Wellington have been attempting to slow down their arm strokes and those who have succeeded certainly appear to show some benefit from it. It; is now being realized that a swimmer with a rapid ’ arm-eirele must tire more than the man with a slower movement, and it stands to reason that the latter will gain more from his leg beat. Last year Norman Wainwright, the English freestyle champion, showed during his brief New Zealand tour tlie difference between the faststroking Dominion- swimmers with their weak kicking and a man with a slower circle and splendid kick. Commenting on swimming styles observed at the European championships, an English writer says:—“lt speaks volumes for the strength of his pull and the power of his leg drive that, stroking at the rate of 31-34 pulls a length (50 metres) Bijorn Borg y\-jis able to win rhe 1500 against the Empire champion, Lievers, who was over 40 pulls a length and swimming like a lion all the way."

It is worthy of note that many swimmers require 30 or more strokes to nego-

tiate one lap of 'l'liorudon or RidHiford baths, Wellington, which are 33 1-3 yards in length, so it would appear that those swimmers attempting to lengthen their strokes are on the right track. Tonight’s Carnival at Hutt. Record entries have been received for all events at tonight's carnival, to be held at (he Riddiford baths. Lower Hutt, beginning at S o'clock. The programme is long and varied, the three main attractions being the Wellington centre 100yds. freestyle and men’s diving championships and the Fenwick Memorial relay between Betone, the holders, and Hutt, In the 100yds. championship. It. lliiteliwell, the holder, is expected to find strong opposition. It would not surprise to see Hatchwell better F. Bennington’s Wellington record for the distance. He is in great form at present. Bennington will prove one of the champion’s strongest opponents tonight. Keen interest is being taken in the centre diving championship. F. Greeneni, wiio was second tv Riordan last year, is diving up to his best standard, and it ■would not surprise if he won the title tonight. He was unfortunate last season to be suffering from an injury. He is among the most improved divers in Wellington. i There will also be interclub handicap races for both men and women, boys’ and girls’ races, and an A grade water polo match. Newell’s Defeat a Surprise. The defeat of the national distance champion, 1. Newell, by A. T. F. Stokes i in the Canterbury 220 yards men’s chainI pionship came as a surprise to WellingI ton enthusiasts, but there was an excuse I for Newell’s failure. A few months ago lie underwent a fairly severe operation, as a result of which it was expected tie might not compete in races this season. He has apparently made a good recovery, and within the few weeks now remaining before the national senior championship’s in Invercargill he should regain much of his form. Newell .was. far superior to any other swimmer in the Dominion last season from 440 yards to one mile. Biddulph World Class. Robin Biddulph's defeat of Kiyoshi Nakama, the Hawaiian champion, in the 220 yards New South Wales .State championship last week is stated to place him in world class. His coach, Harry Hay, is reported to have stated after the race that he would develop Biddulph into a world champion. It is stated that Hay contended that Biddulph would have beaten Jack Medica’s Australian record of 2.15

hud the event been staged in first-class conditions. As it was, the Australian champion clocked 2.16 3-5. The general opinion of New South Wales judges is that, had the race been held in North Sydney, Biddulph and Nakama must have approached 2.13.

Hay thinks that his charge will be ar his best for the 1940 Olympic Gaines, andfeels sure, unless something . unforeseen happens, Biddulph will be an Olympic champion. Biddulph has yet to reach top form. Interruptions to his training through illness have left Biddulph much to accomplish before the Australian championships begin in Melbourne nevt Saturday. Describing the race'the “Daily News," Sydney says : “Biddulph swam a waiting race, leaving his final burst till well into the last lap. Nakama and Ryan shared the lead for the first 110 yards. The Hawaiian’s turn enabled him to gain an. advantage on Ityan at that point. Nakama turned for home with a handy lead. Then Biddulph, who had been moving up gradually, made his big effort. Finishing s'trongly, Biddulph wore down his smaller riyal and went on to win by two yards. It was Nakania’s first defeat since his arrival in Australia.”

Mathieson’s Splendid Effort. The winner of the Auckland 400 metres men s backstroke title, swum at last week's carnival in Auckland, B. E. Matliieson, late of Otago and Wellington, took 5.20 0-5, which bettered by 9 2-5 his own New Zealand record, achieved in March. 1937. Far more arresting was the margin by which he excelled the Australian record, put up in December, 1935, by the present. British Empire H>o metres c'harnL’iog. 1 J - Oliver, Perth. Oliver’s time was U. 48, so that Mathieson’s time waw 22 2-5 faster. His only opponent was F. Hall, Otahuhu, but such was his superiority that he had to set his o'vn pace. The women's record for the Its! metres backstroke. established 10 years ago by Miss E. ■ Stockley, Auckland, but now of Sydney, was eclipsed by Miss Macdonald by 2 2-5. Her time was 1.22. Starting strongly, Miss Macdonald, wiio made a special unpaced attempt., maintained her pace well for the whole distance. She i.s 17 years of age, and represented the Dominion at the British Empire Gamer? in Sydney last summer.

A strenuous 400 metres breaststroke swim by Miss W. Dunn, who displayed great stamina, occupied 7.11. This time reduced the New Zealand women’s record, made in 1930 by Miss G. Pidgeon. Auckland, by the substantial margin of 45 1.-5. Miss Dunn is the New, Zealand womau champion at breaststroke.