WOMAN’S CHANNEL SWIM

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12528, 18 August 1926, Page 6

WOMAN’S CHANNEL SWIM

WERE THE CONDITIONS FAIR? MISS EDEjILE SWAM BETWEEN TUGS By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Sydney “Sun” Cable.) LONDON. August 16. A suggestion that Miss Gertrude Ederle was assisted in her Channel swim by tlie suction from the deep-sea tug, in conjunction with clever navigation from another tug which destroyed the action of the tide, is being keenly discussed at the Cinque Ports. Pilots cannot understand why Miss Ederle, in a sea rough enough to prevent bathing on the Kentish coast, made no westward drift, although the current averaged two knots an hour for seven hours. “POOL OF SMOOTH WATER” An eye-witness, interviewed by the “Westminster Gazette,” infers that Miss Ederle swam in a pool of smooth water which moved with the tugs, and thus maintained’ twice the speed which she could ever have hoped for under ordinary circumstances. Dover newspapers suggest that Miss Ederle swam between two tugs, which gave her an unfair advantage, as she was not exposed to the full effect of the rough seas. This also possibly explains why the tide did not carry her as much as was expected. At the American Consul’s reception at Calais, the editor of “Le Phnre do Calais” expressed the opinion that a French journalist should have accompanied the swim. ALL CHARGES DENIED The comments have resulted in the publication ot a statement with eight signatures, including those of the manager, some other swimmers, and several journalists, “That Miss Ederle did not receive any aid and abided bv all the rules of Channel swimming required by international sportsmanship.’’