SWIMMING ITEMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22045, 27 February 1935, Page 17

SWIMMING ITEMS

TWO OVERSEAS CHAMPIONS APPEARANCE IN AUCKLAND KEEN DIVING FOR TITLE The New Zealand championship meeting having been completed, swimming enthusiasts in Auckland can now look forward to another fine attraction next Monday, when two overseas champions who have recently been performing with notable success in Australia, Jean Taris and Emilo Poussard, of France, will compete in special events at the Tepid Baths. No diver approaching Poussard's ability has previously visited the Domirfion, and Taris must be regarded as the greatest free-stylist, superior even to Arne Borg, who swam in Auckland in 1924 and 1929, and whose world's records he has eclipsed. Taris is a formidable opponent for Auckland's champions, but as it is the intention of the Auckland Swimming Centre to match him with R. Fraiikham and N. Crump over a furlong, a. keen contest can be anticipated. Taris won the Australian title in 2m 225, which time equals Crump's New Zealand record. Crump has suffered loss of form, as the national championships plainly showed, but by Monday he may have regained his health, and, moreover, his rest from training, which he needed so much, may effect great benefit to his swimming. Interesting although Crump's participation will be, the feature of the race will be the opposition to Taris of R. B. Frankham, who this season has made faster times than Crump. Frankham won the Auckland title in,2m-25 4-ss, and, like Crump, was off form for the New Zealand championship. However, his defeat is attributable to his temperament, which is the root of his inconsistency, rather than to lassitude, and as he is doing little swimming for about a fortnight, it will not cause surprise if he extends Taris. His feat in sprinting 100 yards in fresh water at Whangarei last Saturday in 56 2-5s is evidence that his failure in -f,he championships was but a passing weakness. In addition to the 220 yds. contest, Taris will take part in handicap races. French Diver If only there was a high springboard at the Tepid Baths, Poussard would in all probability thrill the spectators with a display of diving far surpassing any witnessed previously. However, he will be restricted to the low board, but from this, too, he should demonstrate exceptional skill. He will be supported by the New Zealand champion, W. Hassan, and G. Berry, who was awarded fourth place in the Dominion championship. Other events to be decided at the carnival are as follows:—66 2-3vds men's handicap, 66 2-3 yds ladies' handicap, 66 2-3 yds boys' handicap, 66 2-3 yds girls' handicap, and 66 2-3 yds dual relav.

The New Zealand championship meeting was a success in'every respect, and the Auckland Centre can congratulate itself on its organisation and the results thus attained. Deserving of special commendation was the work of the honorary secretary, Mr. W. Batty, and his associate, Mr. H. Moore. The keenness of competition exceeded anticipations, times were mostly in keeping with the contests, the three records giving extra distinction to the meeting, and the support of the public was 50 great that it could not be coped with. Shield Retained

The retention of the Yaldhurst Shield and the dominance of the ladies' swimming; events were gratifying to Aucklandsrs, yet their enthusiasm was dampened somewhat by the subjection of their representatives in the men's swimming. Still, their failure need not arouse misgivings, since the loss of form suffered by Crump and Frankjiam. and to a lesser extent by Johnson, coincided with the contests, and since all three are bound to recover their speed.

Praise is due, and is being accorded to W. J. Jarvis, D. H. Symes, J. D. O'Driscoll and R. Watkins, Hawke's Bay, for their victories. It will be no small compensation to Aucklanders if the successes of these swimmers give the spGrt an impetus in the centres to which they belong. Rivalry was keen and prolonged between W. Hassan, Auckland, and A. W. Wesney, Southland, in the men's diving contest, and finally Wesney was defeated by only .31 of a point. Throughout the contest he was at a disadvantage in that he was competing with Hassan from the very boards on which the Aucklander does his training. Particularly was this bo with the high board at Mount Eden Baths, and, in view of the judge's decision so slightly in Hassan's favour, it is not surprising that many onlookers considered Wesney the better. Another Southlander widely admired was Miss Nancy Basstian, who, as predicted, proved a doughty rival to the Auckland girls, and had victory snatched from her in both the 100 yds and 220 yds free-style.. Miss Basstian's progress has not stopped yet, and her increasing speed, combined with her determination, should eventually bring success her way.

No light influence in the setting of a new 440 yds record by Miss Mona Leydon was the opposition of Miss Nancy Ludlow. She swam the distance in 6m 0 4-ss, the merit of which is borne out by recalling the fact that Miss Kathleen Miller's record was 6m 6 2-os before Miss Leydon first lowered it.