FLANNAGAN CUP RACE

Taranaki Daily News, 20 February 1933, Page 14

FLANNAGAN CUP RACE

TARANAKI OPEN WATER SWIM G. BEA VEN WINS CLOSE RACE. PERFECT CONDITIONS PREVAIL. After an exciting race, particularly over the final stages, G. Beaven (New Plymouth Club) on Saturday won the 1933 race for the Flannagan Cup over a twomile course from Kawaroa Park to the East End beach. Beaven, who Jjad seven minutes’ start, won by 15 seconds from B. S. Dudley (Opunake) on the fiveminute mark, and Dudley was a few yards ahead of B. Milne (Fitzroy, 7m). H. St. George (Fitzroy) made fastest time. Conditions for the race were almost ideal. The sea was warm and although there was a slight swell and choppiness the wind was from the west and directly behind the swimmers. The race was from a point directly opposite the Kawaroa Park bungalow, to a launch moored a quarter of a mile to sea from the East End pavilion and then to a finishing post at the water’s edge, a total distance of about two miles. The distance, the necessity of swimming a straight

course and the choppy nature of the sea that prevented the stroke becoming mechanical combined to make the race an ideal test. The safety and welfare of the competitors was well guarded. Three launches set out from the breakwater at 2.15, all 13 intending competitors having passed the medical examination. The launch used for the start moved up and moored at the turning point after all had been dispatched and the other two cruised alongside the swimmers. In addition five dinghies kept a watch on any isolated competitor.

Chadwick was despatched at 2.45 and had covered 100 yards when Harlow and Goodin set off. The others followed at short intervals until St. George commenced alone, 150 yards behind Robson and Wright. Opposite Devonport Flats Chadwick was still in the lead, although he had swum almost straight out to sea, with Beaven and Milne slightly ahead of Hai'low and Goodin. Rimmington, Parker, Winter and Dudley were close up, 60 > yards ahead of Wright and Robson, with St. George making up ground slowly. The competitors were not setting good courses, all being too far to sea except St. George, who swam on an excellent line all the way.

Opposite the Railway station Chadwick still held the lead from Beaven and Milne, with Dudley gaining and Goodin and Harlow dropping behind. St. George had gained 100 yards on Wright and Robson, and he caught the pair off Woolcombe Terrace. Rimmington and Parker were falling to the rear and as the

race passed Eliot Street St. George was leading Wright, Winter and Robson.

Beaven was well ahead when he reached the turning point. Seventy-five yards behind were Milne and Dudley. Milne was having trouble with cramp but Dudley did not break away as he might have done.

Nevertheless the pair steadily overhauled Beaven as they progressed through the rollers, .and it was impos- 1 sible to tell whether they would have time to catch him. Beaven swept into the breakers and staggered out to the finishing post a chain ahead of Dudley and Milne. Dudley beat Milne jn a desperate struggle by three or four’yards. Meanwhile St. George and Wright had passed the buoy 80 or 90 years behind Dudley and Milne. The two set out at a tremendous pace fox* the last stage of such a race and plied * stroke fox* stroke over the whole quarter-mile. Neither could gain any advantage and the two breasted the tape together, exhausted. Then followed Robson, Winter and Parker. Eva had had to retire early. Rimmxngton continued till a large part of the journey had been covered and Chadwick swam till his arms gave out. Harlow and Goodin dropped too far behind and, although fresh, were picked up by the launches.

Dudley’s action in staying with Milne when Milne was having trouble with cramp was commendable, as under the circumstances he had every chance of beating Beaven. St. George secured fastest time by three minutes from Wright. Details are;—

G. Beaven (New Plymouth), handicap 7m, time Ih 2m 7s 1 B. S. Dudley (Opunake), sm, lh Oin 22s 2 B. Milne (Fitzroy), 7xn, lh 2m 28s ... 3 H. St. George (Fitzroy), scr, 56m 46s equal 4 W. Wright (East End), 3m, 59m 46s equal ..; 4 A. Robson (Stratford), 3m, lh 3m 38s 6 R. Winter (Inglewood), sm, lh 7m 46s 7 L. C. Parker (Fitzroy), 6m, lh 13m 6s 8 Also started: N. Chadwick (Hawera) 10m, W. Rimrningtoix (New Plymouth) 6m, W. F. Harlow (Fitzroy) Bm, R. A. Goodin (Fitzroy) Bm, R. Eva (Fitzroy) 7m. The trophies won were: Flannagan Cup and miniature, G. Beaven; cup presented by W. H. Moyes for second place, B. S, Dudley; New Plymouth Swimming Club cup and miniature for fastest time, H. St. George. Mr. G. S. Jago presented a cup for the first lady to finish, but as there were no lady. competitors the trophy was awarded to the third to finish, B. Milne. Winners of the cup since its. inception have been:— 1916.—W. J. Davis. 1923. H. Hawkins. 1924. —F. Ryan. 1925. H. S. Weston. 1926. —W. Rimmington. 1927. —Miss B. Gayton. 1928. —K. Staunton. 1929. —K. Staunton. 1930. —A. Robson. 1931. Miss B. Gayton, 1932. S. Millan ■