SWIMMING ITEMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21399, 25 January 1933, Page 15

SWIMMING ITEMS

AUCKLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS PROSPECTS OF COMPETITORS CONTESTS AT INVERCARGILL Auckland swimmers have entered their last week of training for the provincial senior championships that will be decided in the Tepid Baths next Tuesday evening. Since early in the season contestants have been recording fast times, so that there should be notable achievements, and there is a strong likelihood of New Zealand records being lowered. Interest in the carnival is deepened by the fact that the swimmers making the most creditable times will be selected to represent Auckland at tho national championship meeting in Napier next month. A thrilling race is anticipated for tho 100 yds. men's frecstylo title. The defection of the holder, G. Bridson, is regrettable, not only because he is a fine sprinter, but also bocauso he would grip unusually keon interest by racing against 11. Thomas, Grammar, and R. Frankham, Mount Eden. Still, these young swimmers are so evenly matched and are moving so well that together they should satisfy the spectators' craving for excitement and speed. Tho ultimate result is thickly clouded.

Other probable competitors are It. Sellars and 11. Williams, of Ilelensville; 11. Porteous and J. Iflnwright, Waitemata; and J. P. Farrell, Parnell. Farrell, winner of the titje in 1928 and 1929, recently returned after a two years' stay in Western Australia.

The Auckland Centre has made a change in the programme originally drafted by substituting a furlong for the quarter-mile championship. Apparently, the small number of aspirants for the quarter-mile title has prompted the centre to make tho change with the idea of holding the spectators' interest. In one way the change will do harm, as the absenco of a quartermile will not encourage distance swimming, a branch of the sport at which Auckland is weak. Frankham, who has done fast times this season, will have the best chanco over the furlong, but Thomas, although it will be his fust senior race over tho distance, should constantly trouble him. The champion, A. Pi a pel', is certain to retain his 150 yds. backstroke title, because no one in Auckland has developed the stroke so well as ho has done. Breaststroko Title Keen competition should be seen in the 220 yds. breastroke championship. J. Magce, holder of the title, is in better form than ever he was before, and to beat him any one of his opponents, P. Shanahan, Waitemata, N. Kempt, Waitemata, and A. Cover, Grammar, may have to swim so fast as to break the New Zealand record.

W. Hassan, Ponsonby, has_been practising hard at Parnell Baths for his attempt to regain tho diving championship from his club-mate, E. Midgley. As only low boards are installed at the Tepid Baths tho diving will unfortunately bo restricted to these, but the spectators should see a good display.

Among the women aspiring for championship honours Miss Marie Farquhar, Waitemata, holder of both 100 yds. and 440 yds. titles, is outstanding. At most recent carnivals she has done the best sprinting of her long career. Over the sprint Miss Farquhar will be opposed by Miss Mona Loydon, who has been doing excellent swimming for a first-year senior, Miss Barbara Lewin, Grammar, and Miss Edna Steele, University. The strongest opposition to Miss Farquhar in the quarter-mile will come from Miss Nancy Ludlow, North Shore, Miss Farquhar also holds the 100 yds. backstroke title. In Misses Leydon and Lewin, who was third last year, she will have worthy challengers, and in order to beat them she will have to swim her fastest.

More than ordinary interest has been aroused by the 220 yds. breaststroko championship because in it Miss Margarie O'Meara, North Shore, and Miss Judith Webster, Mount Eden, the New Zealand intermediate champion last season, will meet for the first time in a scratch race. So far this season they have competed together in only one handicap of 66 2-3 yds. and then Miss Webster easily defeated her rival. Miss Webster has never raced over 220 yds., so that she may not have enough stamina to stay the distance strongly. Intermediate Champions

From to-morrow until Saturday the eyes of followers of the sport will bo on Invercargill while the New Zealand intermediate and junior championship meeting is held there. The Auckland team should win at least eight titles, and by doing so it could not fail to retain the War Memorial Shield.

Comparison with their southern rivals shows that the following Aucklanders, on their homo form, are most likely to win:— Miss E. Rainey, 100 yds. and 220 yds. intermediate girls' freestyle; Miss C. Watters, 50yds. junior girls' breaststroko; Miss P. Johnston, 50vds. and 100 yds. junior girls' freestyle. Contrary to general opinion Noel Crump, the brilliant intermediate and holder of ,the 100 yds., 220vds. and 440 yds, titles, is faced with the hardest task of achieving victory, except perhaps for the junior boys, A. Pascoe and M. Cleary. , In Walter Jarvis. of Dnnedin, Crump will find a formidable opponent over the 100 yds. Only last week Jarvis defeated E. McConville, who was second to Bridson in the last national championship, in tho great fresh-water time of 58 3-ss, thereby equalling in merit Crump's saltwater time, 57 3-ss. Over 220 yds. and 440 yds. Crump will be in danger of defeat by his team-mate, Walden Johnson.

CORNWELL CUP CONTESTS AT LYTTELTON The ninth annual contest for the Cornwell Cup for 12ft. 6in. boats, will commence at Lyttelton to-day. Entries have been received from Auckland, Manukau, Wellington, Plimmerton, Porirua, Lyttelton, Christchurch and Otago.

Only the crows travel to the scene of the racing, all the boats being supplied by the centre conducting the contest. The boats are allotted by ballot for each race. The crews arc limited to youths aged 19, and the contest is continued until one crew has secured three wins. Out. of eight contests for the cup Auckland has won

MX. Following are tho results of the previous contests and the winning crews:— 1924.—Auckland, D. Macky and A. C. Robb. 1926. —Canterbury, H. Norris and G. Brassell, 1927.—Auckland, I. McMastcr and A. McGregor. 1928.—Auckland, I. MeMaster and D. Rogers. 1929.—Auckland, G. Carter and D. Rogers. 1930.—Auckland, E. and 11. Tabuteau. 1931.—Auckland, V. Field and E. Tabuteau. ]932.—Lyttelton, W. Tissiinan and R. Hendry. This year Auckland is represented by V. Field and F. R. Bell-Booth.