Dominion Swimming Championships

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 40, 17 February 1939, Page 7

Dominion Swimming Championships

Further Titles Decided HIGH STANDARD THROUGHOUT Per Press Association. INVERCARGILL, Last Night. Fast times and thrilling finishes marked the second series of races in the New Zealand swimming championships at the Invercargill baths this evening. In at least three events the winners went close to lowering New Zealand records, and it was only because of the slowness of the water that new records were not made. The standard of performances in all events was high, appreciably higher than that of the first night. Miss Joyce MacDonald added another win to her long list of successes and gave {Southland its first title of the contest by winning easily the 100 yards women’s backstroke. She gave a magnificent performance. Two other outstanding performances were given by P. Mathicson (Auckland) and P. Hanan (Auckland). In winning tho 100 yards men’s backstroke title Mathicson returned 66 4-sscc., only 3-5 sec. outside his own New Zealand record, and Hanan won the men’s 220 yards freestyle championship in 2min. 24 4-ssec., only 4sec. outside his New Zealand record. Both Mathicson and Hanan established their records in fast water at Auckland.

The only champion to lose a title in tho competition this evening was L. Ncw r ell, of Canterbury, who was beaten by his team mate, A. T. F. Jones. The title and record holder for both these events, Newell is obviously still feeling the effects of a rocent operation, but this does not detract from the performance of Stokes. The new distance champion has been in championship class for ten years and this year he is swimming far better than ever he has before.

Points so far for the Yaldhurst Shield, which is held by Auckland, are: Auckland 24. Canterbury 24, Southland 20, Otago 17, Wellington 8, Taranaki 5, Wanganui 1. Results:—

880 yards men’s backstroke: A. T. F. Stokes (Canterbury) 1, L. Newell (Canterbury) 2, W. Johnson (Southland) 3. Won by 40 feet and a length and a-halt' of the baths between second ami third. Time, llmiu. 9sce.

100 yards women’s backstroke: Miss J. MacDonald (Southland) 1, Miss I. Purdie (Otago) 2, Miss D. Mulvey (Southland) 3. Won by seven yards, a touch between second and third. Time, lmin. Ifisee.

100 yards women’s breaststroke: Miss W. Dunn (Otago) l t Miss C. Lynch (Southland) 2, Miss J. Hannon (Southland) 3. Won by 20 feet, with five yards between second and third. Time, 85 2-ssec.

220 yards men’s freestyle.—First heat: P. Hanan (Auckland) 1, A. Pascoe (Auckland) 2, F. Pennington (Wellington) 3. Won by a touch, with the third five feet away. Time, 2.34 4-5. Second heat: R. Hatchwell (Wellington) 1, N. Crump (Auckland) 2, L. Newell (Canterbury) 3. Won by seven feet, with the third a foot further back. Time, 2.32 2-5. Final: Hanan 1, Hatchwell 2, Pascoe 3. Won by four yards, with a touch between second and third. Time, 2min. 24 4-ssee.

440 yards women's freestyle: Miss K. Grey (Auckland) 1, Miss M. McGrath (Southland) 2, Miss A. Mair (Southland) 3. Won by ten yards, with a length of the baths between second and third. Time, Omin. 4 3-sscc.

100 yards men’s backstroke: P. Mathieson (Auckland) 1, C. Cliff (Canterbury) 2, D. C. Berry (Southland) 3. Won by a foot, with two yards between second and third. Time, 66 4-ssec.