SWIMMING TITLES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22315, 13 January 1936, Page 9

SWIMMING TITLES

CARNIVAL IN SYDNEY FINE EFFORT BY MATHIESON DEPRIVED OF A RECORD By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received January 12, 5.5 p.m.) SYDXEY, Jan. 11 In a magnificent struggle at the Domain Baths in the 110 yards men's swimming championship of New South Wales W. Kendall retained his title and lowered his own State record, which is also the best time established by an Australian swimmer, by two-fifths of a second. Kendall's performance was all the more meritorious because he was somewhat slow in entering the water. The New Zealander W. J. Jarvis was unable to maintain the pace set by the leaders. On an international rule technicality P. 10. Mathieson, of New Zealand, was deprived of an Australian record in the 220 yards men's invitation backstroke handicap, although he improved on the previous figures by three seconds. Mathieson, on his handicap, was sent away at the call of "seventeen." To have qualified for the record he should have been given the call of "go." His time was 2m 38 1-os, the Australian record being 2m 41 l-ss, held by Kiyokawa, of Japan. Commenting on Mathieson's performance, the Sunday Sun says that had it been anticipated that he would break the record the starter's call could have been altered from "seventeen" to "go," and Mathieson would have been entitled to the record. Officials were as regretful as the spectators that the well-liked New Zealander could not return to his homeland with the distinction of having eclipsed the record theoretically as well as actually. The Australian free-style champion, Miss P. Norton, provided somewhat of a surprise at the Coogeo Aquarium when she convincingly beat Miss Bonnie Mealing in the 100 yards ladies' backstroke championship of New South Wales in lm 14 4-os. Miss Kitty Mackay easily won the 440 yards championship in Cm 11 4-ss, beating Miss Joan Davies by five yards. Following are the Domain Baths results: — 110 Yards State Championship.—W. Kendall, 1; R. Wilshire, 2; P. Hooper, 3 ; W. J. Jarvis and R. Clark, deadheat, 4. Won by four feet, a touch between second and third. Time, 603-os. 220 Yards Invitation Backstroke Championship.—P. E. Mathieson, 1; N. Campbell, 2; B. Hay, 3. Eight started. Won easily. Time, 2m 38 l-ss. 880 Yards Championship. —N. Ryan, 1; S. Herford, 2; A. Hart, 3. Won by nine seconds. Time, 10m 59 3-ss. The Australian practice of granting recognition of records evidently differs from that observed by the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association. No time is listed as a record in the Dominion unless registered in a scratch race or in a special attempt by a swimmer covering the distance without a pacemaker. A time made in a handicap race, whatever the method of starting, definitely does not receive official approval". However, such times were recognised until about three years ago, but the custom was abolished in order to conform to what is understood in the Dominion to be the international law, the view being that in calling the handicaps, a starter is apt to miscount the seconds—an error that would cause discrepancies in the swimming times. The fine achievement of Mathieson in bettering the Australian record by so much as three seconds will arouse pleasure in New Zealand, particularly in Dunedin, where lie and Jarvis reside. Mathieson won the 100 yds backstroke championship of New South Wales last Monday, and was runner-up from scratch in a 110 yds handicap on Tuesday. He became New Zealand backstroke champion at Auckland last February. The record he has now eclipsed was established by the Japanese, M. Kivokawa, in the course of an Australian tour last season. The failure of Jarvis, New Zealand sprint free-style champion, to win the IVew South Wales title may cause disappointment, but he was clearly in his best form and was defeated by better sprinters. The New Zealand record for 100 metres, Ift. llin. less than 110 yds, is 61 l-ss, the holder being N. Crump, of Auckland. It is interesting to note that the New Zealand record for 880 yds is 11m 0 4-os, held by G. Bridson, Auckland. Miss P. Norton, who defeated the Olympic representative, Miss B. Mealing, in the 100 yds ladies' backstroke, is only 15 years of age.