SWIMMING.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCIV, Issue 14393, 7 January 1911, Page 4 (Supplement)

SWIMMING.

acstiulasian championships. | • The solo topic of S ,)lu ; el ' s; V io " "i'",°iai ! swimmers just- now is the Au. ' "s Tt i_ meetiiißs, which are to be heldm byd_ , ncy next inontli, ami lat^r■ ai j bane (states a Sydney j unstispeitmj; sunniiiei" with th - „ est pretensions to race lii'i'om-es . ji-ct of interest :o all conciiriicKi .iport H-lien disporting himsell .l" ' " lie. Comparisons are raado and Insname guessed at, while rumours are freely circulated by the uninitiated to the effect that the swimmer :s a dark horse* The youthful fraternity are bediming to take up their training ser - ouslv A copious use 01 eucalyptus jd and'the consumption " r . hard-boiled eggs are considered more t-ban sufficient to conquer all opposition.in the minor handicaps. Frank Beaurepaire will Victoria, and his confreres predict that he will capture all the championships from 100 yards upward, breast-stroke excepted. This remains to be seen. The meeting will be unique, inasmuch as a swimmer who up to now lias been content to haf« a monopoly ot tlie shorter races lias announced lus intention of competing in all the distance events. Cecil Heaty is coming out of his shell. Once previously ha essayed the longer journeys, but desisted, fearing Tie would lose his pace 111 the sprint \evcnts. "A bird in the hand is worth two ill the bush" is evidently the Jiast.Svdney man's motto. Nevertheless he •jj* rroinff to try and stop the triumphant march of the Victorian. The ''huiidred" will no doubt be annexed by Healv," and probably the 220 yards cliamoionship. But some nthrm that Jie Jias. developed a natatorial punch which "will but tho doughty Beaurepaire."" "Healy is not, communicative but-his ability to do tilings in the Marathon swimming way ttfi» been ■proved during the last few weeks. Mis stvibjriiirig through the surf at Manly irivesvproof of his staying ))owers, iwliile'a much talked of mile swim, u; Wiich- lie registered 24min Msec, deinoiistrates that he has heels. The swinK Was better than anytliuig even accomplished bv Harold Hardwick, the present State champion, U'bo has been looked uitno to uphold the distance end of'the stick for this State. ■s« lur ®- pa'ire won the English mile m 24iSK 39 4_s"sfec, only 4 i-osec better than Healy s performance. But it must be rememoered '.Beatireoaire T s swim iVas accomplished- under" tl>e most bitterly cold and he did not do himself justice! . :i Botli times are slow, compared with the 3ate "Barney" Kieran's 23min :I6 1 , put up at the Drummoyne Baths.' But- "Bogey" is* the 'man now to be beaten, and East Svdney sprint champion deems to be -tie omy likely swimmer in the aquatic 'arena at present to accomplish it. Yot he may .not even extend the Victorian. All 'dfrnbts will be definitely settled early nert month. Tn tllo opinion of a- few- compjptent critics, Healy is likely ±o overdo h*s ; traiuinjr. Ho has been at work .while • the Test of the swimming com:munity were hibernating:.-. It is quite ' till • matter for a swimixww to fjo i stale. Healv should be cflrcful in this matter, for New South TVales's only chance of gaining a s:ngle event practically rests with the East Sydney expert.