BRILLIANT PERFORMANCES

Evening Star, Issue 22559, 29 January 1937, Page 5

BRILLIANT PERFORMANCES

SWIMMING IN AUSTRALIA DUDLEY HELLMRIGH'S COMMENTS

[By Hooker.]

“ From every viewpoint the carnivals have been a success, and we have satisfied ourselves that the new Olympic pool at North Sydney is the only class of bath in which big carnivals can be satisfactorily staged,” slates Mr Dudley Hellmrich, the New South Wales Amateur Swimming Association’s hon. coach, in a letter to “ Hooker.” The New South Wales section of the Australian championships for men and women terminated on .lanuary 16, and although there have been some splendid performances registered during the Week, he considered the outstanding performer to be Dorothy Green, of Western Australia, who was 17 in July, and is a girl with unbounded stamina, but whose style is far from perfect, and'who under a sound coach could reduce her time by seconds. Dorothy Green first surprised by virtually dead-heating with Evelyn de Lacy in the 110yds Australian championship. On January 14 she defeated Miss de Lacy over . 330yds in .an attempt on Jean Cock’s Australian record of 4niin 20 3-10 sec, and swam the distance in 4min 8 4-ssec, but two days later she

defeated Evelyn again in the Australian 220yds championship at North Sydney in the wonderful time of 2min 32 1-5 sec, not so far outside Willie den Ouden’s world’s record of 2min 27 3-5 sec, put up in a 25yds pool with eight turns, as against the three turns made by Dorothy. Bill Fleming did well to win the 110yds N.S.W. title from Percy Oliver, cf West Australia, and Reg. Clark (N.S.W .) in 61 3-ssec, but it was disappointing to see Clark beaten in the final after he had headed Fleming in a heat in 61 flat. Noel Ryan proved himself to be as good, if not better than ever over all distances, and although his 440 and 880 yards times were not equal to his best, his winning of the Australian 220yds crown on January 16 in 2min 18 1-osec was indeed a great perform--ance. Robin Biddulph did not Cbmpete as he was suffering from bronchitis. Reg. Clark (who visited Otago in 1934) won the New South AVales 330yds medley and the 110yds back stroke championships, but his times, 4min 39 2-ssec and Imin 16sec respectively, were not up to his best. Percy Oliver, the Olympic representative, did not compete in the State hack stroke event. He is reserving his effort for the national event at Brisbane. Next to Dorothy Green, the outstanding performer was the 15-year-old giant

Dick Newbiggen, from Newcastle. This lad is over 6ft tall, weighs over 13st, and is a potential Australian Olympic representative. During the last few weeks he has clipped Bob Bicldulph’s Australian 110yds record on no fewer than five occasions, each effort bettering the previous one, and on January 16 he won the 220yds country championship in 2min 22 4-ssec, the fastest time ever returned by an Australian junior. Charlton’s best at 16 was 2min 23 4-ssec, and he was eight months older than Newbiggen. At Newcastle a few weeks ago Newbiggen swam 440yds in smin losec with little or no preparation. For several weeks he has been making the 100 miles journey from Newcastle to Sydney to get the benefit of the A.S.A. coaching class. After the carnival on January «36 he was asked to accompany the surf team to New Zealand, and Mr Hellmrich says that it is quite on the cards that lie will, although the fact that he was later selected to represent New South Wales in the Australian championships at Brisbane may cause his parents to think twice about his going to New Zealand. From a swimming point of view it would he a pity to see the lad do too much surf swimming, because it would lie to his detriment, and he undoubtedly possesses a great future, Margaret Dovey, who won the Australian 220yds . breast stroke title, is only 16 and stands over 6ft tall. Mr Hellmrich says that he is sure that when she is two years older she will be a world class, swimmer, for she is improving on sight. Arthur O’Connor did not perform up to expectations in the diving events. George Johnstone, of Queensland, who won the springboard title, Air Hellm-

rich assesses as the most polished springboard artist Australia has ever produced. He is 32 years old, but as keen as possible, and is improving. Pat Norton had no difficulty in winning _ the 110yds back stroke title. Bonnie Mealing was not in form or near it. and has yet to learn that swimming form and condition are acquired only after continuous and searching preparation. “ We enjoyed our stay in your great little country immensely, and will always be delighted to return, Mr Hellmrich declared. “ Tell your swimmers to get down to hard and regular training for the Empire Games,” he adds. “'You have the material; see that you use it to the best advantage.” The_ world’s champion. Jack Medica, and his manager, Fred Cady, are proceeding from Sydney to Brisbane for the Australian championships there. They leave Brisbane for Melbourne on February 1, and return to New South Wales on or about February 16 for a series of carnivals. Mr Hellmrich states that it may be possible for them to have a week or so in New Zealand, and visit, say, Auckland, Wellington. Christchurch, and Dunedin. Mr Hellmrich is handling the arrangements for this tour, while Ern Sandell. the new hon. secretary of the N.S.W.A.S.A., is in Queensland.