SWIMMING

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 47, 25 February 1933, Page 6

SWIMMING

BY "HEADER" | NATIONAL TITLES

FORM AT NAPIER

NOTES AND COMMENTS

FIXTURES. February 25 and 26.—Surf and Life-saving Championships, Foxton. . . March I.—Featberstoa Club Carnival, Featherstou. March 4.—Wellington Club Carnival, To Aro Baths. ' . . . i . Mar^h 25.—Kalili and Kurtz, To Aro. Baths. Interest during the past week has been centred on the senior national championships at Napier.. From reports to hand of the two first days' events, it is apparent that the standard shown has been well up to that of previous years, and, although the distance events, in particular, have not been responsible for the keen competition noticeable on previous occasions, it was evident that the fare provided was popular with the public, as record attendances were.present. In a communication from a member of the Wellington team the following extracts will be of interest. "The 100 yards men's championship was one of the best contests~"ever witnessed for the title, the seven starters all swimming exceptionally well. After his recent line performance at Auckland, Thomas was looked upon as the winner, but several of the critics were certain that Frankham would beat him. Few expected Whareitu to be so prominent, although he had been noticed doing some good work in his training. From an excellent start, Thomas and McConville were the early leaders and they led at the first turn from a bunched field. Going down the second lap Thomas and McConville were still in front, but WhaTeitu was moving up. Frankham at this stage was about a yard and : a half behind the leaders. As they turned for the final lap, the two leaders, McConville and Thomas, were still going well, tut half way up the stretch Frankham put in a brilliant spurt and almost left the others standing, except Whareitu, who had also put in a strong claim.- Frankham sustained his effort,, however, and won handsomely from the Maori lad, with McConville a touch ahead of Thomas. The winner was 'definitely superior on the night. There was some dissension on the placing ofnthe minor positions, some contending that -~ Thomas was second, but although the judges were cramped for room, the decision given appeared to be the correct one. As has been noted for almost every championship race over the distance, the time recorded was not what was expected, and on the performance _of Blakeley at the centre championships, it looked as if he would have been very prominent had he been available. The performance of Whareitu was a very fine one, and subsequent swimming has proved that he is likely to be a sprinter of real class before'long. Interest in Miss Leydon. "The large audience was keenly interested in the appearance of Miss Leydon, of Auckland, in the ladies' 220. yards championship. Although Miss Farquhar had beaten her at Auckland, the younger lady reversed the tables on this occasion, to win a very popular decision. She certainly had the sympathy of the crowd, and the reception she got .was fully deserved. At every turn she lost ground owing to her disability, but her undoubted speed was evident over each lap and she gradually drew away over the final stages to win well. "Lindsay is still the best distance swimmer in the Dominion and had no difficulty in winning the longer distance titles. As usual, Stokes was his onlyopponent likely to offer much opposition, and although he swam up to form he was no match for Lindsay. Bullivant, of Wanganui, swam a plucky race in the half mile, and can be expected to be one of the best during the next few years. Standard of Diving. '' The men's diving was staged under international regulations, and was all concluded on the one night. The standard of diving was not of the best, most of the competitors appearing to be nervous. Calder won only by a y narrow margin, and but for one poor effort Wesney would have taken the titlo. The latter brought off some splendid efforts, especially in pike positions', but was not as consistent as Calder, who, although still suffering from his back injury, did not make any pqor efforts. Johnson, of Otago, and Geddis, Hawke's Bay, were close in points, and the latter performed much better than on former occasions. Johnson, who is well known on the athletic field, gave evidenco that with more experience he will be a fine performer. In the ladies' championship, Miss Footo' gave a finished display to securo the honours, maintaining an even standard all through. Miss Price dropped points in her voluntary dives, but some of her efforts were equally as good as Miss Foote's, and she gave indications that with experience she will be one of the best in New Zealand. Her performance was encouraging. Miss Eggers, who lost the title, was not consistent and did not appear at all comfortable on the boards. The ladies' standard was all round higher than that of the men. "Through the number of entries in the water polo the competition was eventually agreed upon as a knock-out. Wellington went down to Hawke's Bay A in tho first round by two ' goals to nil. For a scratch team, Wellington made a good showing against what was considered the best team,. and with combination would have been contenders for the semi-final." General Notes. Nothing further has been notified in connection with the Kalili and Kurtz tour. At the time of writing^ arrangements appear to be in tho air. It is understood that seven guarantees aro required, which must be in the North Island, and until these are secured, no finality can be made. The Wellington Club carnival on Saturday afternoon uext should be well up to standard. Prominent events to be decided are the men's diving championship, 220 yds men's free-style; and the four school relay races for the Maxwell, Duthie, and Coltman Cups. There will be the usual interelub events to make up tho programme, which should bo an interesting and varied one. Entries Close tonight. The Masterton Club has boon granted permission -to hold a carnival on Bth March. Tho programme submitted is a comprehensive one, and should suit all classes of swimmers. 11. J. Luke and B. H. Sutherland competed in tho maiden double sculls at Christchurch last Saturday and won the event by a length and a. half., There were ten starters.