FIRST CARNIVAL

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 153, 26 December 1936, Page 4

FIRST CARNIVAL

(By "Header.")

LOCAL CENTRE

SMALL ATTENDANCE

FIXTURES,

January 14—Hutt Club Carnival, Riddi-

iard Baths. January yi —University and Maranul Club Carnival, Karori Baths. January 28—Petone Club Carnival, Riddiford Baths. January 30—Masterton Club Carnival, Masterton. February 11—Wellington Centre Carnival, Riddiford Baths. February 15—Greytown Club Carnival, Greytown. February 20—Peck Shield Harbour Race. February 27—Wellington Club Carnival, Te Aro. NATIONAL EVENTS. February 6, 8, and 10—Senior Championships, New Plymouth. . February 7—Kellerman Cup Harbour Race, New •Plymouth. February 13 and 14—Surf Championships, Lyall Bay. The decision to postpone the junior and intermediate national championr ships, which were set down for January 16, 18, and 20 next, under the''control of the Nelson centre, was not unexpected, and under the circumstances was the only course open to the New Zealand council. Although the intending competitors will naturally be disappointed, there is a strong possibility that they will still have the opportunity of displaying their talents during the season, as it is the intention to hold the fixture during Easter, which falls earlier than usual. AUSTRALIAN STARS The Wellington Centre was unfortunate in having such a small attendance at their first carnival of the season, and the experience appears to indicate that a Saturday night is not the best "time to hold sucn gatherings. However, apart from the attendance factor, the meeting was productive of many successful events as well as being run off'promptly to time. The appearance of W. Fleming arid A. O'Connor, Australia's premier sprint swimmer and diver respectively, was the main attraction, and although the former was unable to give of his best owing to sickness, he demonstrated his class by. making no race of the 100 yards invitation event, defeating his opponents very easily. The time was slow, but could no doubt' have been improved upon by the winner, if necessary, whose action clearly demonstrated the value and importance of relaxation, now the most prominent feature of swimming. Fleming was unable to compete in the backstroke event, returning to his hotel immediately after the free-style race. He was suffering from a severe cold, and actually should not have swum at all, but rather than disappoint the public, he made/one appearance, even though he was in danger of defeat. His opponents, however, have not had time to get into proper racing tram, hence his task was not as difficult as it might have been. Arthur O'Connor ably filled the programme with a fine performance from the diving boards. Supported with a running comment on each of the dives performed, by Mr. Dudley Hellmrich; O'Connor executed the .various dives with skill, some of his efforts being very fine. His finish and poise did not perhaps compare with that of Poussard, but it was evident that he has had long association with diving boards, and one could understand the prominent position he has held as a diver in Australia. Like other visitors, O'Connor did not ■ find the boards altogether suited to his style. He is of -solid physique yet very light, and consequently could not secure the full value from the spring as is the case with heavier men. Nevertheless, he pleased the audience with his fine repertoire, finishing up with a series of comic dives which drew forth rounds of applause. ROTORUA CHAMPION. Interest in the invitation race was added to by the appearance of Riko Simon, South Auckland champion, who is paying a short visit to Wellington. ' The Rotorua boy has some fine performances to his credit and although not yet at his best, revealed that he is a swimmer of class. He did not appear to move very freely and probably found the water heavier than he is accustomed to. His style resembled that of Jean Taris, although it was apparent he did not use the unorthodox \ methods of the Frenchman. Simon has only to reach his best form to be a prominent competitor at the national championships next February. 1 Alan Somervell would have been in second place in the invitation race but for fouling the lanes. He was slightly in the lead over the first two laps, but then made a bad turn for the final stretch which appeared to throw him out of his balance, consequently the final lap was erratic and he faded -back to fourth place He showed, however, that he is now getting into good trim and by, the time the local championship comes up for decision, he will be very hard to beat. Frank Pennington swam a really good race for early in the season, a feature of his race being a very strong finish His training to date has been restricted, as has that of most others, and he will need to put in some hard work during the next month to be fit to uphold his various titles He is noted, however, for always being a trier and looks likely to again be the .local representative at New Plymouth. Hiss S. Gotlieb is approaching good rr^m as demonstrated by her second place-getting in the ladies' race. She was conceding long starts and did not appear to have much chance of success, but she finished exceptionally well to just miss the major honours. Her swimming indicated that she. has not been idle this season, and although conditions have not been favourable for outdoor swimming, it is evident that she is leaving no stone unturned to be at her peak when she will be called upon, to defend her title early in February next Similarly, Miss Olga Smith, the breaststroke champion, demonstrated that she has done a lot of training by gaining second place in the breaststroke handicap in which she just missed getting the verdict She is making every effort to be at top form and loses no opportunity for training swims, particularly during weekends, and if determination counts for anything, she will be hard to. defeat for her title. SEABIRD CUP~RACE » — Unsuitable weather caused an abandonment of the Seabird Cup ocean yacht race, which was to have started on Christmas Eve with three yachts competing. The. possibility of a northerly blow, of missing the tide at Tory Channel, and thereby losing a day of the holidays caused those yachts which did make the Strait crossing to leave the harbour early on Thursday night, engined boats using their power.