SWIMMING

Otago Witness, Issue 3897, 20 November 1928, Page 52

SWIMMING

By

Neptune.

IMPROVED TIMES.

" Interesting evidence at the improvement in speed swimming in the Dominion during the past 38 years was given by Mr J. L. M'lndoe in his presidential address at the annual meeting of the Otago Swimming centre. Reviewing in particular the times registered for the 100 yards during that period, Mr 'M'lndoe pointed out that in 1890, W. Sneddon won the 100 yards in 77 4-ssec, and in 1895, L. Leo improved the time to 73 3-ssec. In 1901, Malcolm Champion, at Christchurch, _ clocked 66sec, st record which stood until 1910, when B. C. Freyberg, at Auckland, clipped Isec off Champion’s time, but in 1913, Champion had his revenge at Wanganui, and established a new record of 51sec. From 1916-1919 no competitions were held on account of the Great War. Ir 1920, at Auckland, E. G. L. Paterson had the distinction of being the first New Zealander to cut out the distance in Imin. In 1924, Leo. Kronfeld established a new record of 59sec, also at Auckland, although not at a championship meeting. In 1926, at Auckland, N. Dowsett, the great Wanganui swimmer, further reduced the record to 57 2-ssec, the figure at •which it now stands. .Referring to improvements in the times of lady swimmers. Mr M'lndoe stated that in 1912, Miss O’Leary, at Christchurch, won the 100 yards ladies’ New Zealand championship in 86see. Miss Stockley’s time for this distance to-day was 65 3-ssec, an improvement of 20 2-ssec. In 1921. at Dunedin, Miss Shand established a New Zealand record for 440 yards of 6min 41 3-ssec, and in 1922, at Wellington, she caused the greatest excitement by establishing a New Zealand, and what was, if he remembered correctly, a world’s record of 6min 26 2-ssec for the quartermile. It was interesting to compare this time with that of our own lady champion, Miss Miller, who, on her recent visit to Australia, knocked no less than 22Jsec off Miss Shand’s time, winning the Australian title in 6min 3 9-10 sec. VISITORS FROM OVERSEAS. The question of obtaining a visit from an overseas champion with a view to improving the standard of swimming throughout the Dominion was discussed at a recent meeting of the Auckland Centre, when the concensus of opinion was that if it were possible for him to make the trip, “ Boy ” Charlton should be invited, and also a Japanese champion. Commenting on this decision, the New Zealand Herald grants that in Charlton’s case no more suitable selection could have been made. The writer of the article, however, criticises the centre’s decision to invite a Japanese swimmer on the following terms: — “ The following comparison between the performances of Crabbe and the Japanese champion, Takaishi, show convincingly that the American is by far the better swimmer. At the Olympic Games, Crabbe was placed third (time, 20min 28 4-ssec) to Borg and Charlton in the 1500 metres, and fourth (smin 5 2-ssec) in the 400 metres. Although he did not start in the 100 metres, he is, nevertheless, a fast sprinter, while, in addition, he is said to be a fine backstroke performer. “ Takaishi’s only appearance in the finals at Amsterdam was in the 100 metres, in which he finished third to Weissmuller and L. Barany (Hungary) in 60sec. As Crabbe has announced he cannot visit Australia this season owing to his studies, the New Zealand Council would be well advised to ask him to visit these shores next season. From an instructive point of view a tour by him would prove of great benefit. Overseas critics unanimously agreed he was the stylist par excellence at the Olympic Games, as he is a brilliant exponent of the ‘ crawl,’ Charlton and Borg being uncouth performers by comparison. Australian swimming authorities have now extended an invitation to visit the Commonwealth to the 18-year-old New York champion, George Kojac, who won the 100 metres backstroke at the Olympic Games in 68 l-ssec, and who was fourth in the 100 metres free style. •Should he accept this' invitation, the New Zealand Council might be able to persuade him to extend his tour to the main centres of the Dominion. However, lack of funds will, no doubt, prevent the council from bringing any overseas champion here this season, the financing of the Olympic representatives having taken over £5OO of the overseas representation fund. If the council preferred to bring Australians only to New Zealand, an invitation could be extended to the 16-year-old Australian distance champion, Noel Ryan, whose times last season were in some cases better than those of the New Zealand champion, D. P. Lindsay. Ryan would certainly provide some interesting contests with Lindsay. AUCKLAND SPRINTERS. Auckland intends making a bold bid for the Yaldhurst Shield at the forthcoming championships, and with a number of prominent sprinters to choose from, the province’s flying squadron should be a speedy one.

The season promises to be a memorable one (says the New Zealand Herald, referring to the sprinting brigade), as there are several swimmers who can better 62 seconds for 100 yards. The Auckland champion, J. P. Farrell,' did not do as well as was expected of him at the New Zealand championships, being defeated by the other Aucklanders, L. Fairgray and J. Enwright. However, this season, with more experience, he should swim better than ever, and should retain the local sprint title. After his defeat in the Auckland championship, in which he was third, Fairgray surprised by finishing in the same position to N. Dowsett (Wanganui) in the Dominion championship. Fairgray has been a consistent per former. for several seasons, and it is unlikely he will improve on his times. The veteran, J. Enwright, swam just as well as ever last season, being second and fourth in the Auckland and Dominion championship events. He will again be a serious contender for championship honours and is certain to show pis form has not deteriorated. The Helens-

I ■■■■ W'JJ U.4UXlMU&lAuupiaucu, swam so well in the Auckland championship that it would occasion no surprise if he gains- a place when the championship is decided this season. A newcomer to Auckland last season, H. Watson, who claims to have swum 100 yards in 57 seconds in Glasgow, should be a dangerous opponent for the local men, as it is understood’ he intends to take the sport up again seriously. Last season he created a favourable impression while training, but failed to face the starter in championship events. Others who should be prominent in sprint events are G. Bridson, E. V. Cunhold, and R. de Loree, all of whom-are quite capable of covering 100 yards in the vicinity of 62 seconds, although they are really distance men. A graduate to the senior division is last year’s intermediate champion, R. Brownlee, but he would be better advised to concentrate on distances. AH of these swimmers are well known locally, and their performances during the season will be looked forward to with interest.

COLUMBA COLLEGE SPORTS. The Columba College annual swimming sports meeting was held in the Municipal Baths on Thursfday afternoon, and was attended by a large number of parents and friends. Mr Matheson acted as starter, and the judges were Misses M. Hervey and Sheddan. The entries were very satisfactory. The following are the results:— 50 Yards Senior Championship.—N. Shannon. 1, C. Somerville 2, M. Cook 3. Time, 37 4-ssec. 33 1-3 Yards Junior Championship.— M. Porteous 1, M. Christie 2. Time, 31 3-ssec (a record). Beginners’ Race, across the baths — D. Harper 1, T. Ewing 2, J. Cook 3. Diving (open).—M. Grant 1, M. Sutton and C. Somerville (equal) 2. 33 1-3 Yards Breast Stroke (open).— M. Cook J, W. Speight 2, C. Somerville 3. Time, 32 3-ssec. Long Plunge (open).—G. Vidal (41ft 3m) 1 (a record); L. Samson (39ft 6in) 2, M. Cook (39ft) 3. 33 1-3 Yards Backstroke (open).— M. Sutton 1, C. Herbert 2, M. Thomson 3. Time, 34 3-ssec. Plate Dive (open).—C; Somerville 1, M. Sutton and N. Cook (equal) 2. Dressing Race (open).—M. Sutton 1, M. Puflett 2, C. Somerville 3. House v. Day Girls’ Relay Race. House 1.

VISIT OF FAMOUS AMERICAN. CHRISTCHURCH, November 13. The Canterbury Swimming Centre tonight considered a letter from the New Zealand Swimming Council concerning a possible visit from Johnny Weismuller. The council was unable to quote terms.' The Canterbury Centre decided that the" offer be accepted and that details be left to the centre’s delegate to arrange. -CHRISTCHURCH, November 15. The New Zealand Swimming Council to-night decided to accept the offer of a tour of New Zealand by the champion swimmer, Johnnie Weismuller, of the United States, subject to the condition that the tour shall occupy not less than three weeks. TO SWIM COOK STRAIT. ENGLISH GIRL’S AMBITION. LONDON, November 12. Miss Gleitze (the English Channel swimmer), who was unsuccessful in two attempts this week to swim the Irish Sea, says she proposes to swim Cook Strait in New Zealand. LONDON, November 14.

Miss Gleitze, who has announced her intention of attempting to swim Cook Strait, hopes to sail on the Corinthic on December 7.

NEW ZEALAND GIRL TO ATTEMPT SWIM.

ASHBURTON, November 15. Miss Lily Coppiestone, the well-known distance swimmer, announces her intention of making an attempt to swim Cook Strait during the forthcoming season. A start will be made from the top of Queen Charlotte Sound.

CHRISTCHURCH, November 16. Following the announcement that Miss Mercedes Gleitze, the English long distance- swimmer, will attempt the swim across Cook Strait, it is stated that Miss Lily Coppiestone, a Christchurch girl, now residing in Ashburton, will make an attempt to swim the strait early next year. She will leave from the top of Queen Charlotte Sound, but her landing place depends on the tide. Miss Cop°plestone, who is very well known in local swimming circles, won the Kellerman Cup for a three miles race across Otago Harbour this year. Mr R. J. Webster, of Auckland, who attempted the swim in February last, was forced to give up after some hours’ swimming on account of the intense cold.