SWIMMING THE ENGLISH CHANNEL.

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 March 1911, Page 2

SWIMMING THE ENGLISH CHANNEL.

CHAMPION TO ESSAY THE TASK

[BV TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL TO THE STAR.]

WELLINGTON, This Day. It is common knoAvledge uoav that M. E. Champion, of Auckland, Ncav Zealand champion long distance swimmer, is going Home to contest in the SAvimming events 'in connection with the Festival of Empire sports. It is not so Avidely knoAvn, hoAvever, that while in England, should the opportunity arise, he Avill also try to achieve that Mecca of distance and endurance SAvimmers, the SAvim across the Channel.

Champion has given it forth that he means to make the attempt if possible, and secure for this dominion the honor of producing the first man to successfully riA r al Matthew Webb.

Champion has most of the qualities necessary r to enable him to put up a first class struggle for this big event. He is a powerful SAvimmer Avith an easy stroke. He has considerable knowledge of deep sea SAvimming and he is in splendid form and condition. He says that it is M. Holbein’s intention to make another attempt sometime in July to SAvim the Channel, and he hopes to be able to arrange that he may accompany him Avhen he does so, by Avhich the cost of the trial Avill be decreased, and it may be that the tAvo men keeping company in the Avater during the long trial Avill soften the asperities of each of them.

Champion estimates that in fresh Avater he can cover a- mile in from 24min. 40secs. to 24min. 50secs., and in this his chances against the best English .swimmers in the Festival of Empire sports events are .very good. He is noAV in Wellington and is in touch Avith the local officers of the Swimming Association and clubs.