HARBOUR SWIM

Evening Star, Issue 22890, 23 February 1938, Page 6

HARBOUR SWIM

DUNEDIN CLUB'S ANNUAL RACE J. 0. BYRNES WINS FROM SCRATCH ‘Swimming from the scratch mark, J. O'. Byrnes-won the annual'harbour race, of the Dunedin Amateur Swimming Club last night. The course was from the Harbour Board punt at the wharf to the second buoy in the Victoria Channel and hack to the punt, a distance of one mile 400yds, Conditions were not altogether; favourable, there being a strong wind, and a choppy sea was experienced outside the steamer basin.. The race, was somewhat marred by four competitors turning at the first buoy by mistake, and or these Miss Ferguson, G., Ruston, and A. Campbell finished well ahead of the actual - winner in this order, but were disqualified. There were nine competitors in the race, with Miss O. Ferguson and J. Christie off the limit mark (16min). They were followed at regular intervals by A. Campbell (14min),. G. Rmston (10min), D. Paterson (Bmin), Miss P. Duncan (Bmin). B. Kerr (7min), N. Williams (6min), and then by the scratch man, J. O. Byrnes. When Byrnes left Miss Ferguson and Christie were 200yds out from the steamer basin, and Byrnes appeared to have a difficult task ahead or him. At this stage Miss Duncan and B. Kerr were swimming well together, and had chosen a good course, making use of the shelter of the wharves. Owing to the choppy sea the four leading competitors took the wrong turning, and .officials were unable to inform them of the mistake. J. Christie retired at. this stage, and D. Paterson followed suit at the second buoy. B. Kerr was first round the buoy, with Williams 25yds behind. Then came Miss Duncan, Williams, and Byrnes about 120yds behind the leader. Kerr lost a lot of distance here, and Byrnes was first to enter the steamer basin, 30yds ahead of Williams. He increased this distance to win the race by 60yds. Williams finished second, with Miss Duncan 100yds away third. Result:— J. O. Byrnes (scr), 36min 7sec ... 1 N. Williams (Grain), 42min 48sec ... 2 Miss P. Duncan (Bmin), 47min 31sec 3 B. Kerr (7min), 46min 49seo ... 4 Byrnes wins the E. H. James Cup for first place, and the. Gordon Cup for fastest time for the third year in succession.