NATIONAL SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Evening Star, Issue 19776, 28 January 1928, Page 5

NATIONAL SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Yaldhurst Shield to Canterbury

Otago Runners-up Miss K. Miller’s 440yds. Record

The week of record-breaking swimming that has drawn large crowds to the Municipal Baths was brought to a conclusion last night in just as auspicious a manner as that in which the carnival opened, four more records going by the board, perhaps the most noteworthy being that of Miss K. Miller (Otago) in registering very fast time in the 440yds Ladies’National Championship.

Thanks largely to the efforts of Miss Miller, a few points collected by C. J. M‘Lean, and the all-round ability of Otago’s diving champions, tho home province made a surprisingly good showing in the Yaldhurst Shield (most points in national championships) competition, in which Canterbury, with a total of 50 points, lifted the Shield from Auckland, and also won the water polo championship, in which Auckland took second points. With 29 points Otago boat Auckland for the position

of runner-up lor the Yaldhurst Shield by one point; while the War Memorial Shield (intermediate and junior aggregate points) went to Wellington wdtli five wins, Wanganui and Auckland coming next. Otago was well to the fore last night, 11. C. Calder winning the men’s national diving championship after a splendid all-round display, in which, with the exception of one dive, lie performed consistently throughout, scoring well with his voluntaries, which were a one-screw backward and a double back somersault. Otago also secured several points in this event. PI. E, Walker being very little behind Calder. In fact, it was one of the best displays Walker has over given. Both men received a great ovation, Calder in particular coming in for applause, as he has now' won the title three times in succession.

Well deserved w'as Miss L. Hood’s win in the ladies’ national diving championship, her llight and entry alike being good throughout the whole of the competition. The popular little Hawke's Bay girl is a pretty diver, and showed more finish than tho others, though the runner-up, Miss D. Foote, of Otago gave a surprisingly good display against such experienced opposition. Miss Foote has been diving only a year, and it was her first essay at the title, which has previously been held by her sister, Mrs M. E. Thomson.

D. R. Lindsay collected his fourth title by winning the 440yds men’s national championship, and in returning the good time of smin 28 l-sseo the Canterbury man smashed the existing fresh-water record by 10 2-ssec. Lindsay’s salt-water record is smin 24 2-osec. Again the phenomenal Canterbury speed merchant was followed homo by his team-mate, A. T. P. Stokes. By winning the 440yds ladies’ New Zealand national championship in 6mm 9 2-sscc the Otago representative and Olympic nominee, Miss K. Miller, collected her second title and smashed Miss G. Shand’s existing record by ,‘l2sec. It was only 1 2-ssec outside Miss Shand’s salt water record, and if Miss Miller, who swam a fine, easy

stroke througimut, ha i b.vn extended instead of winning by 40yds, she might have bettered 6min Bsec. Miss Miller has beaten her fresh-water record only once, at Napier in salt water last year. Miss Ena Stockley, paced by L. J. Moorchouse, was successful during 'die evening in lowering tier own 100 metres Lrcast-stroke New Zealand fresh-water record of linin 27 Losec, established on Wednesday night, by L 2-oa3o, and is now within 4sec of the. world’s record. The 220yds ladies’ nationd breaststroke championship went, to Miss G. Pidgeon (Auckland) without opposition, and paced by' the national men’s champion, N. K. Sylow, she did .hnin da 2-ssec for the distance, breaking Miss D. Breward’s record by 4 4-ssee, The time was l-ssec better than Miss Pidgeon’s salt-water record, and it was her fourth win in the title event. W. Cameron retained his title in the intermediate boys’ 100yds breast-stroke championship, the time being quite good, linin 20 l-ssec. It was Cameron’s third title win at the meet. The 50yds men’s invitation scratch race provided a splendid finish, the lOOvds national champion, N. Dnwsett, demonstrating his superiority over the intermediate crack, W. Cameron, by half a yard in 25 4-ssec. Miss D. Magee won the similar ladies event, in which the field should have been recalled. As usual, the flying squadron championship created great excitement, but Wellington had a speedy and wellbalanced team, which included C. Clnridge and W. Cameron, and after a. 200(1 rnce Wellington heat Canterbury by three yards, the 500yds taking smiu id 2-sscc. , ... The water polo championship was concluded. Canterbury being the winners, with Wellington and Auckland rnnners-up. As on the previous nights the car nival went off without a hitch, though it seems difficult to understand why Mr D. Coulter was asked to share the duties of starter with Mr W. Jenkins, the latter having been the assistantstarter when Mr C. Bryant officiated. Results; —•

MYDS MEN'S NATIONAL CHAMPiONSH!? Holder of title: D. ?■ Lindsay (Canterbury). World’s record: Arno Borg (Sweden). 4mm u‘2 <3-ssec. New Zealand fresh-water record: B. Pelham (Auckland), Snun 33 :5-ssec. Standard time, umin 47sec. 1) P. Lindsay (Canterbury) 1 A. T. F. Stokes (Canterbury) ... - C. Claridge (Wellington) o Also started: C. J. IT M'Lean (Otago).

At a fast clip from the start, Lindsay led from- his starting dive, and at the end of a length had opened up a gap of a couple of yards over Clandgo, M'Lean, and Stokes, who were together in a bunch. Lindsay carved out the 100yds in ()3scc, and at_ the end of this distance the Olympic candidate led by 4yds from Stokes and M'Lean, Claridge bringing up the rear. With live lengths covered Lindsay had increased his lead to 7yds from Stokes, who was also moving along nicely, though M'Lean was now beginning lo tire and Claridge was drawing np. At the 200yds mark Lindsay had opened up a gap of 12yds, and Claridge was now in third place, 3yds behind Stokes, M'Lean being another 2yds away, Lindsay was swimming very steadily, and with eight lengths covered led by half the length of the baths. Claridge being some distance back, third. At the 300yds mark, left behind niSinin 39sec. Lindsay led the consistent Stokes by 20yds, Claridge being 3yds back, third, with M'Lean now well out of it. At the end of eleven lengths Stokes had drawn tip a couple of yards, with Claridge another syds back, _ third. With 400yds splashed through in 4inin 57sec, Lindsay was leading by over half a length, and spurting over the_ last length and a bit. ho went on to why by 25vds from Stokes, Claridge being 14yds back, third. M'Lean was 12yds awav, fourth. Time, omin 28 l-sscc—-a New Zealand fresh-water record. Lindsay’s sectional times were; — 100yds, 63sec; 200yds, 2imn 21sec; 300yds, 3min 39sec; 40().vds, 4inin 57sec; 440yds, smiu 2S 1-osec. 440YDS LADIES’ NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Holder of title: Miss K. Miller (Otago). World’s record: Miss M. Norclius (U.5.A.).. smin 53 2-ssec. New Zealand fresh-water record; Miss G. Shand (Canterbury), 6inin 41 2-sscc. Standard time, Gmin 26scc Ogly starters. Miss K. Miller 1 Miss D. Grant 2

Though she was never extended, Miss Miller swam a wonderful 7 ace, and swimming easily turned at the end oi

the first length a yard'ahead of Miss Grant. Miss Miller left the 100yds behind in 75 3-ssec, and was then 4yds to the good. Miss Miller was moving along very easily, and the 200yds was passed in 2min 42 l-ssec, Miss Grant then being 12yds to tho rear. The latter was making hard work of it, and with another 33 l-3yds covered was half a length behind. Miss« Miller maintained an even pace until the last length, when she spurted in brilliant fashion, finishing 40yds ahead of the badly tired Miss Grant. Time, 6min 9 2-ssec—a New Zealand fresh-water record. Miss Miller’s sectional times were 100yds, 75 3-ssec; 200yds,- 2min 42 ]-ssec; 300yds, 4min 10 l-ssec; 400yds, smin 30 3-ssec; 440yds, Cmin 9 2-ssec.

220YDS LADIES' H.Z. NATIONAL BREASTSTROKE CHAMPIONSHIP Holder of title : Miss G. Pidgeon (Auckland). New Zealand fresh-water record, Miss D. Breward bury), 3min 40 l-ssec. Standard time, 3min olsec. Miss G. Pidgeon (Auckland) 1 The only starter. Three withdrawals in this event left the title-holder with a. swim-over, but in an attempt lo lower the New Zealand Fresh-water record siie was paced over the distance by the men’s national champion, N. K. Sylaw, the stylish Auckland swimmer. Miss Pidgeon has a quick arm stroke and a very wide kick, and, maintaining a fast pace throughout, she was still able to spurt over the last 20vds. smashing the existing record with something to spare. Time, drain 35 2-osec. LADIES' H.Z. NATIONAL DIVING CHAMPIONSHIP Miss L. Hood (Hawke’s Bay) ... 1 Miss D. Foote (Otago) 2 Miss L. Copplestone (Canterbury) ... 3 Also competed: Mrs M. E. Thomson (Canterbury) and Miss D. Eggers (Otago).

The standard of the winner and the runner-up was distinctly good, though the others were handy in the same class. Miss Hood dived consistently well throughout the competition, executing compulsory and post dives very neatly. Her flight and entry wore both good, and, though none of her efforts were outstanding in merit, her diving was correct and well executed throughout. Miss Foote showed a vast improvement in the form she displayed at the Otago championships, her flight being fair and her entry neat. She dived in such _ a maimer as would suggest that she will improve further with experience. Miss Copplostono lacked confidence, and performed disappointingly, being rather lucky to be placed ahead of the exchampion, Mrs M. E. Thomson, who dived consistently, though not np to her previous best form. Miss Eggers

was a good deal below championship requirements. MEN'S N.Z. NATIONAL DIVING CHAMPIONSHIP R. C. Calder (Otago) 1 H. E. Walker (Otago) ... ‘2 W, Hicks (Wellington) 3 Also competed: C. 11. Riordan (Canterbury), T. W. Thomson (Canterbury), G. Tipler (Canterbury), and G. Geddes (Hawke’s Bay). After losing points on account of losing his balance in taking off for a back somersault in the first stage (compulsory dives), Calder set out to establish a definite superiority over his opponents, but his clubmate and exchampion, H. E. Walker, also performed remarkably well, the Otago pair giving a first-class display, the general standard of the others being fair. Calder won by good all-round work, and his one-screw backward for a voluntary was very well executed. In his double back somersault his somersaults were all right, but his entry was unpolished. His diving all round.sitowed more finish than that of the others. In one of the post dives, a running take-off the 10ft spring-board, he did excellently. Though his toes needed pointing, Walker dived consistently, and his somersaults off the 10ft board, with hands by the sides throughout, was well done. His flight was good and his entry fair. Hicks dived fairly well, but lacked the finish of the Dunedin men.

100VDS INTERMEDIATE 80YS’ BREASTSTROKE CHAMPIONSHIP Holder of title: W. Cameron (Wellington). New Zealand fresh-water record: E. C. Heard (Canterbury), linin 17 4-sscc. Standard time: linin 22sec. W. Cameron (Wellington) 1 J. Magee (Auckland) 2 B. Howarth (Wanganui) 3 Also started: E. Woods (Canterbury). Cameron used a more sweeping stroke than Magee, though the latter led by a touch at the first turn, Howarth being several yards hack. Cameron wore his opponent down in the second length, and touched ahead of the Aucklander, who faded out towards the finish, Cameron winning by 3yds, Howarth 4yds back third. Time, Imin 20 l-ssec. SGOYDS FLYING SQUADRON CHAMPIONSHIP (Fifteen laps; teams of five.) Wellington (J- C. Blakeley, J. Leask, C. Claridge, R. Pelham, and W. Cameron) 1 Canterbury (D. P. Lindsay 7, C. Atkinson, A. T. F. Stokes, W. Sutherland, and E. Woods) 2 Auckland (J. Enwright, J. P. Farrell, L. Fairgray, P. Brownlie, and N. K. Sylow) 3 Only starters Wellington had an evenlyAialanced team, and, though this was an exciting race throughout, when Cameron took over from Claridge Wellington had the race in hand, and won by 3yds. There was a good race for second place between Auckland and Canterbury, Lindsay beating the Aucklander Fairgray by a. touch. Time, smin 16 2-ssec.

50YDS MEN'S INVITATION SCRATCH RACE N. Dowsett (Wanganui) 1 W. Cameron (Wellington) 2 L. Fairgray (Auckland) 3 Also started; J. Enwright (Auckland), J. P. Farrell (Auckland), C. Claridge (Wellington). This was a fast race after two false starts. Dowsett showed out by a slight margin, Cameron being almost neck-and-iiCck with the New Zealand 100yds champion. Dowsett turned a shade ahead of ’Cameron,' and maintained his dash to the finish, winning by half a yard, Fairgray touching a fraction behind Cameron. Time, 25 4-ssec. COYDS LADIES' INVITATION SCRATCH RACE Miss D. Magee (Auckland) 1 Miss N. Stratton (Wanganui) ... 2 Also started: Miss K. Miller (Otago). Miss Magee got away slightly before tiro start, but was rrot recalled, Miss Miller having the worst of tiro start. Miss Magee splashed a fast length and turned half a yard ahead of Miss Stratton a ird Miss’Miller. The Otago lady swam against tiro ropes and withdrew, Miss Magee winning comfortably by 3yds. Time, 20 3-sscc. 65 2-3YDS JUNIOR BOYS’ INTERGLUB HANDICAP B. Gallato (Wellington), ser ... 1 It. Geddes (Kiwi), lOsec 2 A. Bennie (Dunedin), 14sec ... ... 3 Also started: P. Mathieson. (Dunedin) 14sec, K. Murdoch (Dunedin) 12sec, B. Pidgeon (Auckland) Iscc. This was an exciting race, and at the end of the first length Geddes had a lead of a yard from Bennie, though Gallato swam a fast first length atrd had worked into a handy position. Geddes was tiring at the finish, and in a fierce struggle Gallato got up to win by barely a touch, Bennie being a yard back, third. Time, 41 l-ssec. 66 2-3YDS JUNIOR GIRLS' INTERGLUB HANDICAP Miss C. Lang (Otago). JOsce ... 1 Miss J. Brewer (South Canterbury). Ssec 2 Miss E. Morrison (South Canterbury) , 6sec 3 Also started: Misses D. Murdoch (Otago) Sscc, D. Berry (Canterbury) 4see. Miss Lang led from the start and turned with three yards to spnre_ from Miss Brewer, Miss Morrison being a couple of yards away. Miss Lang was challenged strongly by Miss Brewer,

but hung on to her lead to win by 2yds, Miss Morrison being a similar distance,back, third. Time, 54 l-ssec. GIRLS’ DIVE UNDER SIXTEEN, Miss J. Brewer (South Canterbury) 1 Miss D. Murdoch (Otago) 2 Also competed; Misses C. Lang (Otago) and E. Morrison (South Canter bury). The winner gave a neat display of plain diving. WATER POLO AUCKLAND 8, OTAGO 0. Auckland thoroughly outclassed Otago, who badly felt the absence of C. B. Lewis. The throwing of the Otago men was poor in comparison to that of Auckland, and too often men were left unmarked Auckland gave a good exhibition, showing a nice ununderstanding of each other’s play. Goals were scored by Kenny (3), Enwright (3), and Hedges (2). YALDHURST SHIELD POINTS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS AGGREGATE. Canterbury, 50 points 1 Otago, 29 points 2 Auckland, 23 points 3 Wellington S, Wanganui 8, Hawke’s Bar 5. WAR MEMORIAL SHIELD (Intermediate and junior championship aggregate.) Wellington, 5 points _ ... I Wanganui ana Auckland. 3 points 2 Otago 2. and Hawke’s Bay 1.

WATER POLO CHAMPIONSHIP Canterbury 1 Auckland and Wellington ... ... ... 2 PRESENTATION OF PRIZES At the conclusion of the championships the prizes were presented by Mrs J. L. M'lndoo, wile of the president of the Otago Centre. Mr W. 1C J). Bishop, president of .'the Council of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association, first ot all referring to the hospitality that had been tendered to the visitors by the Otago Centre, and ho referred particularly to the efforts of the president (Mr J. L. M‘lndoe) and to the championship secretary (Mr E. G. James) to make the meeting a success. The inception of separate fresh and salt water records had meant that they had to go back several years to got the fresh water records, and it was expected that many of them would be broken at the meeting. That this had proved to bo the case was very satisfactory, and the excellence of the performances i hat had been registered showed that New Zealand was coming to the front in tho swimming world. Four swimmers— Messrs 1). P. Lindsay and L. Moorhouso, and Misses Ena Stockley and K. Miller—had been nominated to go to tho Olympic Games if the funds were available, and this would be the last opportunity of bidding them farewell. Miss Stockley and Miss Miller were leaving shortly for Australia, ami on their return it was trusted they would travel to England on route to the Olympic Games. (Applause.) hi conclusion, ho congratulated tho winners on their performances, and asked Mrs M‘lndoe to present the prizes, A dance was held later, the majority of the swimmers returning north today.