CHAMPION SWIMMERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3859, 28 February 1928, Page 72

CHAMPION SWIMMERS.

NEW ZEALAND SUCCESSES. A THRILLING RACE. SYDNEY, February 17. Never before has there been such 4 finish between two women swimmers ai} that witnessed at the Domain Baths, Sydney, last Saturday, when Kathleen Miller, of New Zealand, defeated Australia's champion, Edna Davey, by a bare touch in the 440yds Championship of New South Wales. Ena Stockley, the other New Zealander, had a much easier task in the 100yds Championship, which she won in a convincing manner. The hopa of New South Wales in this race was a remarkable young swimmer, Jean Cocks, who celebrated her thirteenth birthday by swimming second to the New Zealander, and thus taking the title.

Thousands thronged the famous baths, which have been the scene of so many international contests, and waited patiently for the championship events. Immediately the competitors in the 100yds Championship filed on to the board the air became electrified, and as each girl’s name was announced there was an outburst of applause. There were six competitors, and Ena Stockley proved herself a seasoned champion by getting die best of the start. She was early in the. lead, and at the 50 yards mark was sprinting splendidly, and had a decided advantage. From then on she continued to increase her lead, swimming with the utmost confidence over the final portion of the journey. Three yards from home she simply floated in, touching down fix yards ahead in linin 6 l-ssec. Had she finished all out there is no doubt hat Fanny Durack's 1912 Australian record, which has stood so many onslaughts, would have been shattered. Of course, Miss Durack’s time lias been beaten ,n Australia, but not by an Australian-born. Tne rest of the competitors finished in a bunch.

Although disappointed by the display of the local girls, the ciowd was quick to applaud the success of the New Zealander, sat back, and prepared for something a little more exciting in the quarter-mile event. And the crowd, although it witnessed the success of another visitor, was not disappointed a second time. Only five competitors faced the starter, Kathleen Miller drawing the outside position, which was in shallow water. From a good start Edna Davey, as is usual for her, went off at a great pace and took command, turning the first 110 yards lap in linin 20sec, two yaids ahead of Kathleen Miller. The Australian champion came down the second lap still in the lead, swimming confidently, and completing the 220 yards in the splendid time of 2min 54sec. The New Zealander was then four yards behind, swimming well within herself. Going up the third lap Edna Davey appeared to be lagging, and. although she turned first at the end of the lap in a fraction over 4min 54sec, Miss Miller caught up on her considerably. The last lap saw a stirring struggle with the conditions equal. Miss Davev could not see her opponent, and Miss Miller had the shallower water. The Australian champion kept fighting to maintain her lead, and the New Zealander, reaping the benefits of a well-judged race, overhauled her adversary by inches at every stroke. Thirty-three yards from home they were level, and the two champions swam’stroke for stroke, and touched down almost simultaneously. Kathleen Miller got the bulge’s verdict by a touch, and her time. Amin 3 4-10 sec, was a fraction outside Fanny Duaik’s record established in 1917. It is generally believed in Sydney that both the New Zealanders displayed form that would warrant them being sent to the Olympic Games, for it is felt that, under scientific training, both are capable of doing even better than they did on Saturday. Their future displays in Australia will bo followed with keen interest.