Swimming

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 145, 16 December 1933, Page 24

Swimming

By "Httfer."

THE AUSTRALIANS

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES

CARNIVAL NEXT THURSDAY

FIXTURES. December 21.—Hutt Valley and Lyall Bay Clubs, combined carnival, with-' the Australian, lady champions, Rid'diford Baths. January 15. —Carterton Club's carnival, Carterton (proposed). January 19, 20, and 22.—Junior and intermediate championships^ Palmerston North. February 17, 19, and 21.—Senior national championships, Christchurch. February 24 and 25.—New Zealand surf championships, Auckland. Any doubt that existed in the minds of ,those who were apprehensive of the ability of the two Australian lady champions to reproduce their best form in this country was speedily set at rest when, the results of the contests in Auckland (their first appearance) were telegraphed. On the three .occasions which they competed in the northern centre, each was successful in lowering New Zealand records, and there is every indication that as the tour progresses even better times will be recorded. The fame of Miss Claire Dennis is so well established that it does not need any repetition here, except to say that her world's recordbreaking swim which earned for her the title of Olympic champion was one of the outstanding features at the Games, and her reception after winning the coveted honour was equal to that accorded any other competitor at the big gathering. Her time of 3min 6see for the 200 metres speaks for itself, and brilliant and all as it is, it would occasion little surprise if Miss Dennis does not improve on these figures during this season. Miss Trances Bult has not been so prominent before the swimming world as Miss Dennis, but of recent years she has made wonderful progress, culminating in her selection as a representative of- Australia in the last Olympic Games. She specialises over the sprint distance, and her performance in swimming close up to the brilliant Helena Maddison in the final of the ladies'. 100 metres is evidence of her ability. Miss Bult commenced her swimming career at the age of seven j years, winning the 25 yards race at the ' Combined Schools championships. She did not do much competitive swimming after leaving school, but in 1931, more by accident than design, she swam in the interstate trials and was selected to compete at the Australian championships. She swam third in this event, her time being 71sec, but by the following season she had improved to the extent of winning the event in Cosec. This was the performance that gained her a place in the Olympic team, and although she did not win an Olympic title, she more than justified her selection by reaching the final, and swam the 100 yards in time equivalent to 63sec. This is an exceptionally fine swim, and already Miss Bult is proving that it was no mere flash in the pan. Before leaving Sydney, she expressed the desire to make an attempt on the 100 metres record while in New Zealand, and was confident that she could improve .on her time. The attempt may be made at the Eiddiford Baths ,on Thursday evening next, when both young ladies will be appearing under the auspices of the Hutt Valley and Lyall Bay clubs, who have arranged a carnival in their honour. ( Although the swimming of the visitors will bo the outstanding events on the carnival programme, there is one event that will create a lot of interest locally. This is the 50 yards centre championship, in which all the local speed merchants will be competing. The recent swim of W. Cameron over the distance points to his being the likely winner, but as there is a possibility of his absence, the remaining contestants' will provide a very even race. Blakeley is swimming well at present, and next to Cameron appears the best prospect, although it will not be an easy task. Plank is one likely to make a forward showing, while C. Claridge can always be relied upon to put up a good fight. Mclvor can mutter up a lot of pace for the short distance,: as his recent performance shows, ■while other sprinters like MeHardy, Watkinson, Balfour, and the Williams brothers, are all capable of improving. It should be an excellent race with Cameron, Blakeley, and Plank, the likely placo-gettors.