STEWART IN FORM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27311, 10 February 1950, Page 8

STEWART IN FORM

MEN’S SPRINGBOARD DIVING

TWO POINTS SEPARATE LEADERS

From the Sports Editor AUCKLAND, Feb. 9.

At the conclusion of the first section of the Men’s Springboard event at the Newmarket pool today, only 2,22 points separated the first three divers —P. Heatly (Scotland), G. Athans (Canada) and J. Stewart (New Zealand). Stewart won three rounds, Norris (Australia) one, Heatly one, and Athans (who was awarded the highest total of the day, 17,71 points, for his full twisting one and a-half somersaults) won the remaining one. If they maintain their present form, these three divers should take their places on the victory stand tomorrow night. R. Foulds (Australia), who is running fourth, unfortunately knocked his wrist on the board while practising immediately before the event, Heatly was obtaining good height, and his timing and entries were good. Athans, who is competing in his third Empire Games, was a little inclined to do his work off the board, but he was consistent.

J. Stewart lost heavily in the fifth round when he touched the hoard with his toes in his inward somersault, but he made a fine effort of his half-twisting one and a-half somersaults, backward, to win the sixth round. ? On his showing this morning, he has a good chance of winning this, his

first international competition. The progress points gained today were: Heatly (Scotland) 81.37, Athans (Canada) 80.16, Stewart (New Zealand) 79.05, Foulds (Australia) 74.35, Norris (Australia) 73.64, McCann (Australia) 72.6, Grace (Rhodesia) 71.92, Smith (Ceylon) 67.97. Edna Child in Lead

In the first section of the Women’s Tower Diving, Edna Child, of England, again demonstrated her superiority with a score of 36.38 points. She has a 4-point advantage over Miss G. Fawcett (Australia), who also gave a good performance. Miss Child’s one and a-half somersaults, with pike, and reverse dive straight from the 10metres platform, were particularly fine efl'orts, netting her 12.48 and 13.6 points respectively. Miss Fawcett gained the next highest award with 11.31 points for her one and a-half somersaults in the pike position from 10 metres. Miss N. Mac Lean, who was runnerup to Miss Child in the Women’s Springboard event, lost control in her reverse dive from 5 metres and dropped back 3 points, although she was close to the leaders in the first two rounds. The women’s event will conclude tomorrow afternoon. The progress points gained today were: E. Child (England) 36.38, G. Fawcett (Australia) 32.30, N. Mac Lean (Australia) 29.74, E. Buchanan (Canada) 24.50, L. Hunt ’(Canada) 18.08. The women did three dives each today, but the men were required to do six.