SWIMMING TITLES

Evening Star, Issue 23755, 10 December 1940, Page 8

SWIMMING TITLES

ISLAY PURDIE LOWERS OTAGO RECORD The Otago women’s, intermediate, and junior swimming championships were commenced last night, when two events were decided at the Municipal Baths, the New Zealand 440yds ladies’ free style champion, Islay Purdie (Kiwi), establishing a new Otago record for the 440yds free style. Although she had a swim-over, Miss Purdie carved out the distance in 6min ssec, which was 18 4-ssec faster than her winning time last year and only 3sec slower than her time in winning the national title at Wellington. She swam effortlessly, and showed that she is in particularly good form. The junior boys’ 220yds free style championship drew a field of five, and forging ahead over the last couple of laps, Neil M’Lean (Kiwi) won comfortably from J. Gallagher (Zenith) in 3min 22 3-ssec. Two younger swimmers who showed promising form were G. O’Sullivan (Zenith), who filled third place, and L. Wilson (Kiwi). The first championship carnival will be hedl at the Municipal Baths to-night at 7.30. Results; — 440 Yards Ladies’ Free Style Championship. Titleholder, 1. Purdie (Kiwi), 6min 23 4-ssec. —I. Purdie (Kiwi), 1. Time, 6min ssec—an Otago record. Miss Purdie had a swim-over, her sectional times being 74sec, 2mm 40see, 4min 7sec, and smin 33sec. 220 Yards Junior Boys’ Free Style Championship. Titleholder, A. Main (Zenith), 3min 21 4-ssec.—N. M’Lean (Kiwi) 1, J. Gallagher (Zenith) 2, G. O’Sullivan (Zenith) 3. Time, 3min 22 3-ssec, Also started; L. Wilson (Kiwi), H. Dowland (Zenith). At the end of 100yds Gallagher was a shade ahead of M’Lean, but over the last two laps M’Lean forged ahead and won comfortably by 6yds; O’Sullivan a yard back third. PRIMARY SCHOOLS RELAYS. The annual swimming relays staged by the Otago State Primary Schools Sports Association for the Olds Cups were contested by teams from Standard IV. of the local schools last week. There were 11 schools represented in each race, the girls’ event being won by George Street and the boys’ race by High Street.