SWIMMING

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 68, 21 March 1931, Page 22

SWIMMING

By "Header"

SWIMMING

PECK SHIELD RACE

THE KELLERMAN CUP

The first competition for the Peck Shield harbour race was favoured with splendid weather and conditions, which, with an excellent entry, afforded all the essentials of a good contest. Altogether 50 swimmers were handicapped. Of this number 38 took the water —a very encouraging field for the first of what will bo an annual event. There seems little doubt that a race of this description will prove popular and fill a want that has been felt in the fostering of distance swimming. Considering that most of the competitors had not competed in an event of this distance before, the fact that few failed to complete the course speaks well for them. Several of the competitors had evidently trained for the race, as the majority finished comparatively fresh. Those who wero slightly affected were no doubt feeling tho effects of tho water, and may not have taken the precaution of using a little oil or grease. However, experience teaches, and next season swimmers will be prepared. The Placed Men. In gaining first place, L. ■ Dawkins registered' ~a first-class performance. Over tho first part of the journey ho and Mollier swam in company, and at the wharf turn had mado up a lot of time on the limit men. Continuing together, they took the lead with threequarters of a mile to go, and maintaining an even, steady pace, kept in front until a short distance from the finish, when Dawkins sprinted and reached the finishing line with a margin of thirty yards. Mollier went slightly off his course over the concluding part, but nevertheless swam a good race. He stays well, and was one of the fittest swimmers in the race, considering that he has not done a great deal of racing. Dougal, another performer, swam surprisingly well. Blakeley, the next backmarkor to Claridge, dead-heated with Eose for fourth place, after putting up a good showing. With company over the first part of the course he would have been closer up at tho finish. Rose swam very well. Claridge, from the scratch mark, maintained a solid pace all the way without any assistance, and in registering fastest time put up a splendid swim. Other swimmers who shaped promisingly were E. Mollier, Hulton, Dickson, and Logic, all of whom swam the full distance in good style. The only lady competitor; Miss Joan Wright, gave a meritorious performance. Giving a start to several of the field, she passed most of them on the journey, and battled on gamely to finish in sixteenth place. For a firstyear swimmer her performance was distinctly good. She had never previously competed over a longer distanco than 100 yards. The experience she gained will undoubtedly be beneficial to her, and she is likely to show up prominently in future events of this description. , Honours to Wellington. Les. Dawkins has apparently found his forte in distance swimming. In the recent Kellerman Cup race at Wanganui he gained second place after putting up an even performance. He followed this up by winning the individual honours in the Peck Shield. He had not previously competed in any long-distance races, but Ms effort in this race will no doubt encourage him to continue. AVellington competitors played a prominent part in the decision of the last Kollcrman Cup race. First place went to Hepburn, of the Worscr Bay Club, who, starting from the limit, swam strongly and took the lead after the first mile. From that point on ho was never troubled, and ho won by 300 yards. Dawkins was his nearest opponent at the finish, while Ryan, who started from the same mark as Dawkins, was close up fourth. 11. Claridgc and Blakeley retired after a milo and a half. C. Claridge did not start. Hutt Club's Carnival. Although the attendance was not as large as usual, those present at the Hutt Valley Club's carnival last week saw some keen contosts and close finishes. Town swimmers were not strongly represented, as most of them had returned from Wanganui only a few days previously. , However, the fields were well up to standard, local competitors entering freely. Only two events necessitated heats and a final—the 66 2-3 yards open and % the relay race. There was some good% racing in the former event, the final being very closely contested. After an interesting struggle J. Thomas lasted just long enough to win by a narrow margin from Newport, who was a touch ahead, of Dougall. The winner won his heat comfortably, but had to swim all out to win the final. His success was popular. He has been a regular competitor for several years, being a former member of the old Thorndon Club, and next to Vie. Allen has the longest competitive record of present-day swimmers. J. Newport bettered his second place to Thomas by annexing the 100 yards open handicap in good style from the veteran Vie. Allen. Dougall was a good third, and is improving with every race. Miss Joan Wright won the 66 2-3 yards ladies' race. The finish was very close, the barest of touches separating the place-getters. Miss K. Dick, who was second, appeared to bo unlucky, aa she got a bad start and turn, and also misjudged the finish. But for this she would have been the winner. She also gained second place in the short dash, which was won by Miss AVoods. Miss Wright did not cover tho^ distance in the latter evont. She wont off at the wrong time, and, realising her mistake, withdrew. K. Spry is having a successful season. Ho again won the breaststroke handicap at the Hutt carnival. Ho swam an excellontly timed race, and won by a yard from Tremewan, who was a similar distance in front of Morrison. Although the winner is mainly successful in this style of event, freestyle races have also fallen to his credit. Schools, Championships. There was some promising material seen in the schools relay championships. Eastern Hutt swimmers, who wero tho victors in both the boys' and girls' ovents, will be prominent^ in the decision of tho Coltman and Duthie Cup contests to-day. For a young swimmer Miss Keoblc swam remarkably well, and bids fair to bo a top-class performer in the future. Another young performer who ini-i pressed was Hopping, the schoolboy champion. Both in tho 66 2-3 yards handicap and the relay race, ho swam good races, especially in the latter, in which hia team was successful.