SWIMMING.

Colonist, Volume LIII, Issue 13031, 15 February 1911, Page 3

SWIMMING.

WELLINGTON CHAMPIONSHIP

MEETING

In its report of tiie New Zealand 100 yards championship, held in Wellington last Saturday, the "New Zealand Times" says: 'ihe linal was contestnil by the first two men in the three heats, and. when they arrived on the board Champion was easily the favourite. He got slightly the better of a good, even start, bub on rising to the surfacci Bi-ice immediately assumed leadership, and with Frcyberg and O'Hare in hot pursuit, showed the way over the lirst lifty. He turned a yard to the good, having covered the first lap in 28sce. Champion was the noxt to turn.-, having caught up to O'Hare and Frcybery. "On the homeward stretch, Brice cracked on the pace, and when 75 yards had been covered, was still a yard to the good. Here Champion put in his first challenge, but the young Thornclonitc stalled him off, and kept his yard advantage. Freyberg and Stranger were fighting out a great race a few feet further back, contesting every inch of the way. O'Hare had dropped back to fifth position, while Wclson brought up the rear. As Champion and Brico neared tho finishing l>oard the excitement rose to a high pitch. The- Auelda.udcr was challenging again and again, but always found his opponent ready with a response. In tho last 10 yards Champion gradually crept up, but over the last bit of the distance Brice sprinted, and amid cheers and crios of "Brice wins," touched the board first, about six inches in front oi Champion. Frbyborg and Strangoi were fighting out a similar finish a yard or so further back, Freyberg eventually gaining third place by a touch. Tho, winner's time was C3sccs, being one. second faster than Champion's New Zealand record time. Brice, Champion, Atkinson, Freyberg, Stranger and Woston covered tho distance under tho standard time of 60 sees.

Of the mile championship the "Times" says: —Champion took the lead from the start, and at the 100 yards mark was one yard to the good. Next came Welson, who was loading Healy by about a foot. 'When 300 yards had been covered Champion was three yards in advance of Healy and Welson, who were swimming together, ami it was at this staga that Champion, having apparently learned the strength of his men, commenced to amuse himself. The positions of the first three men were unaltered at the 400 yards mark. Rich at this point was about fifteen yards behind Healy, while McMillan and'Schwartz were swimming together a little further off When 500 yards had boon covered Champion increased his lead to fifteen yards, Healy and Welson still being together. Healy at this stage appeared to be labouring a good deal, and more than ono expected to see him fall behind Welson. At GOO yards Champion was twenty yards in advance of Healy and a lap in front of McMillan a.nd Schwartz, who w-ere still swimming stroke for stroke in the rear. When 900 yards had been thrown behind Champion was over thirty yards ahead of Hoaly, who had at last shaken off Welson, whom he was leading by about three yards. Not til; 1000 yards had been covered did Champion conimence to swim at anything approaching his best pace, and then, with the object, apparently of lapping Healy, lie settled down and commenced to gain rapidly. At 1100 yards h< was forty yards to tho good, while Hoaly was twenty yards in advance of Welson. At the 1500 yards mark Champion was sixty yards to the good eventually winning by about seventy five yards. Healy was second, twenty yards ahead of Wolson, who heat Rici by about four yards. McMillan wa; forty yards further off fifth, whik Schwartz was last, about ten yard: behind McMillan. Champion's timr for tho distance was 25min. 18secs. nineterp seconds faster than his owr record. When it is considered that at no portion of the journey was ho properly extended, and that for'tlv greater portion of the time ho wat almost "paddling" the merit of this performance caal be appreciated.