SWIMMING

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 19, 23 January 1926, Page 18

SWIMMING

■V ' HIADC* ' N.Z. CHAMPIONSHIPS

STARTING TO-DAY AT NAPIER

WELLINGTON COMPETITORS'

CHANCES, -X.

All interest from to-day and through next -week is centred on the national championships at Napier, and the numerous events in the differ--ent grades are sure to be productive of high-class swimming, and diving. Possibly the results of the heats of the hundred yards will be known by the time theae notes are in print, and it will be interesting to note if either of the local entrants, C. Claridge and J. Cameron, are finalists. The absence of the title-holder, A. Adamson, will be much regretted, but the presence of Leo Kronf eld will create much interest even though he will overshadow the field. There is one point about it that may give zest to the final, and that is the possibility of some of the competitors improving on their best times so far recorded, and it would occasion no surprise if others than Adamson get below the minute. If this is the case, such news will be very gratifying to the followers of the sport, many of whom have been seeking the reason why several of our leading sprinters of the past few years could reach around the minute mark but never any further. In March, 1924, Kronfeld successfully broke the record of 60sec, reducing the time by lsec, and it was not until last week that another swimmer could do anything similar. Now that a start has been made it is quite on the cards that others will follow suit, and 60see for a hundred yards will not be considered the bugbear it has been for so many years past. Of course, it has to be remembered that the 100 yards championship has not bten won- in the fast time expected since 1920, and history may repeat itself to-day, but it jeems the general opinion that the record is likely to be again beaten, and if so all honour to the swimmer who does it. It was mentioned last week that L. ("Pet^r") Hill was an unlikely starter in the mile championship tonight, but since those notes were written the veteran has proved himself to be in fine form, by covering the distance in 25min 16 2-ssee in a trial swim. As his was a solo effort and just on half a minute faster" than Cunnold's winning time last year, his chances of regaining the title look very rosy. • Next Week's Programme. On Monday night the chief events coming up for decision are the 220 yards, men and ladies, 440 intermediate boys, and the first stage of the men's diving championship; Wednesday, 880 yards, 220 yards, breaststroke (ladies and men), final stage men's diving; while the last night, Friday, will dispose of the 440 yards, men and ladies, 100 yards intermediate boys, flying squadron, and the 66 2-3 yards scratch invitation. In thfe men 'a races, free style, over the middle distances, if Kronfeld and Baird meet there will be some exciting tussles, and it is difficult to say wljo will be the winner. The former holds the record also for the 220 yards, but Baird has got very close to the figures, and is an improving swimmer, so that promise is given of a great race in record time, with Kronfeld just shading his younger opponent. The latter, however, should prove the best of the field in the quarter-mile, although the entrants are all first-rate performers. Pelham, Cunnold, Enwright, and Hill are a quartette who can move fasl over this distance, and the former has only to reproduce last year's performance to take all sorts of beating. Baird, however, has ben giving away starts to the other Aucklanders, except Kronfeld, and he 'appears on performances to be the winner. The half-mile will also see the same swimmer in a favourable light, although Cunnold will be more at home over this distance, as will Hill. Baird, however, should lead the other two performers home. The men's breaststroke championship will see most of last year's competitors again taking part, but they will need to be at the top of their form t6 beat Heard, the Olympic representative, who is stated to be swimming as well . as ever. Coulton and Lewis should make a race of it. In' the ladies' events Miss Page has rosy prospects of holding on to her titles, and on present form she looks sure to be the other lady swimmer selected to accompany Miss Stockley on the Australian tour. The intermediate boys' races look to be duels between Bridson (the ex-Wellington boy) and W. Cameron, and there Bhould be little between them at the finish. The former is in fine form, and Cameron will need to swim fast to beat him, but local enthusiasts look to him to do this. Miss M. Farquhar will be prominent in the intermediate girls' events. Nothing much is known of the entrants for the junior events, except that Auckland appears to hold a strong hand, and their nominees are sure to show up well. For the firßt time, the flying squadron race of 500 yards, teams of five, will count for shield points, and on paper this looks a gift for Auckland. A Wellington team will probably be got together to compete in this race, und they should secure second place. W. Keesing, the diving champion, is stated to be a non-competitor, but all the Otago cracks will most likely be there, which should mean good competition. A win for W. Hicks would be deserved and popular. Teams Depart. About 25 swimmers left this morning for Napier, including teams from the Lyall Bay and Maraiiui Life-Sav-irig Clubs, who will take part in the Nelson Shield competition, which is to be held on Tuesday next. The former club arc the present holders, and with ordinary luck this championship trophy should return to Wellington in.