SWIMMING.

Thames Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 8757, 6 September 1897, Page 2

SWIMMING.

ONE OF P. CAVILL'S VICTOEIES.

Details of the important swimming contest, at which Percy Cavill, the Sydney amateur, was successful, came to hand by a recent English mail. The event was the long-d Vance amateur championship, and there were 18 starters, the race being swum in the Thames, from Kew Kail way Bridge to Putney Bridge. The following is a description of the race :— At the word " go," Hart was first to take the plunge. He was in' the centre, Green and Cavill veering out to Middlesex side. For 200 yards Hart led. Green then deposed him, Cavill and Hawes passing him shortly afte-. At the Ibes Club boathouw Green appeared to lead Ijy" six yards, Cavill lying second, Haves third, and Hart fourth. Already the competitors ' were spread out over a quarter ©f a mile. .Reaching Mortlake Brewery, the leader's advantage had not increased nor decreased from his immediate attendant (Cavill), but this pair had drawn a long way ahead of the others, Hawes and Hart having a great race for third place, Horgan laying fifth, and the persevering Drake occupying sixth position, some dozen yards in advance of How. At Barnes Bridge, Green appeared to have added a yard or two to his lead, the three leading men's times there being—Green, 18 mm 50sec; Cavill, 18min 56sec; Hawes, 19min 27sec. Passing through the bridge, rougher water was met with', thd it did not appear to suit Green so well as the more robust Australia*. The latter was now well holding] is own, and by Thorneycroft's commenced for the first ' time to draw upon the leader. A stubborn struggle ensued right up to the Griffin Brewery, Chiswick. Hers Cavill got to within a yard of his man.

The accompanying steamer now got in front of all but the leading pair, Hawes, who had now definitely gained third place, being some 150 yards behind the leading coupie. Along Ohiswick Eyot Cavill gained the premier position, after swimming 34 minutes 35 seconds. Progressing very „ Btrongly he soon took the lead by 20 "' or 30 yards, despite Green's spurting after him with the " trudgeon " stroke, ;So matters weat on until just on reaching Dove's, the Londoner turned on his breast, and was given a drink from a bottle. Just previously he exhibited symptoms of fatigue. Changing his position in the water, and. swimming with the opposite overarm,* he received refreshment, after having been in the water 40 minutes 23 seconds. This stoppage enabled Cavill to reach Hammersmith Bridge with 50 yards to the good in the record time of 43 minutes 37 seconds, Green reaching it in 44 minutes 12 seconds, and Hawes, who had reduced the distance between himself and Green, in 45 minutes 5 seconds. Again Green, opposite Harrod's Wharf, had recourse . to stimulant, which had surprisingly invigorating effects upon its consumer. Appearing to swim faster than at any part of the race, he diminished Cavill's advantage at every grasp of water, and at one time it was quite on the , cards that he would accomplish the colonial's downfall. This, however,, 1 was not to be, for the pioneer, although troubled with cramp, had been taking a judicious breather, and after his advantage had been lowered to 40 yards got going again in earnest. Even then the game little "otter" gained. Eventually Cavill was first to reach the judge's boat 12 seconds in advance. Hawes was s me 250 yards in the rear of Green. Below are given the finishing . order and the times of the first'six men: —1, Percy Cavill i champion of Australia), time 1 hour 6 minutes 35 seconds; 2, A. A. Green (Otter 8.C.), 1 hour 6 minutes 47 seconds; 3, W. J. Hawes (City of ' Westminster), 1 hour 8 minutes, 49} seconds; 4, B. A. Hart (American champion 1896), 1 hour 9 minutes 48 seconds; M. Drake (City' Pelice, wiumrl 189<), 1 hour 13 minutes 4 ' seconds; 6, ±v. F. B. Cross (Park 8.C.), - 1 hour 10 minutes 57 seconds. Interviewed after the race, Cavill

said, " From the time I caught Green I suffered severe cramp in both legs, consequently I could not kick out with anything like my usual rigour. I waa surprised to hear from my coach towards the finish that Green was making up ground so fast. He must be a wonderful stayer." Mr W. Henry, Secretary of the Life-oaring Association, and winner of this racein!B9O, said, "In my long experience of this race, I cannot remember a finer contest. CavilTs fine speed in the fast tide-way was the main factor of the Australian's splendid win. It enabled him to gain a long lead, with the resuit you know." The time made bj Cavill was the record for the race.