SWIMMING NEWS.

Observer, Volume XL, Issue 7, 18 October 1919, Page 15

SWIMMING NEWS.

From Yankeeland.

A Good Record Easily Broken. Miss Ethelda Bleibtry won the quarter-mile metropolitan A.A.U. championship from Miss Charlotte Boyle in time better than the best previous American record over a 110-yard course in open water at the carnival of the New York Women's Swimming Association recently. Despite the fact that Miss Bleibtry travelled the distance, which was made in four trips of 110 yards each, in 6m. 16 3-55., or about twenty-three seconds faster than Claire Galligan Finney's record made, at Honolulu in September, 1917, her performance will not receive official recognition from the A.A.U. Those in charge of the meet neglected to comply with certain A.A.U. requirements in regnrd to record performances.

Miss Boyle contested every inch of the journey with Miss Bleibtry. These two great girl .swimmers alternated as leaders during the entire trip. Miss Boyle was quickest to take the water when the starter's pistol cracked, and she set a smart pace. Her powerful six beat double trudgeon crawl strokes carried her to the first turn a shade in advance of Miss Bleibtry. When they straightened out for the next journey of 110. yards Miss Bleibtry drew even with her Coney Island opponent, and soon passed her, rut Miss Boyle again went to the kre nearing 'the 220-yard mark. * * • Half-way on the third strip Miss Bleibtry again bobbed her head in front of Miss Boyle, but the Jmal lap found her again falling back to even terms with the Flushing girl. Both girls put forth their best strokes and kicks and for eighty yards were abreast. In the final thirty yards Miss Bleibtry showed better finishing powers, and this enabled her ,to win by a touch right at the end. © @> © RIVAL FOR KAHANANIOKU. Kelii, Hawaiian Native, Strong Competitor for Great Swimmer. Duke Kahanamoku, the peerless Hawaiian merman, long established as the world's foremost sprinter, may at last have found his match in John Kelii, a young native of the islands. » * * This newcomer has been, officially credited recently with swimming Kahanamoku a dead heat at 10U yards in 45 4-5 seconds. Press reports indicate that some believe the Duke actually tasted defeat at the hands of his new rival. * *• * Some Comment. No less an authority than Michael Gay, chairman of the Honolulu Victory Swimming Committee, is quoted as stating that he and several others who were at the finish line distinctly saw Kelii touch first, but that a disagreement among the judges concerning the winner caused the verdict to be given in favour of a tie. Whatever the truth in the matter, the outstanding fact remains that Kelii is thrashing the classic century under 55 seconds. As he is Kahanariioku's junior by several years, there seems good reason to believe he may outdo the latter s greatest feats before he attains the limit of his speed. Hawanans already are predicting that he will be the next international sprint champion. A Young Star. Kelii has been competing only a few seasons. It was.in 1916 that he sprang into fame over night. Be-

fore then he had never entered a race, and was totally unknown in swimming circles. But one day Harry Decker, an American resident of Honolulu, and a close follower of water sports, saw him disporting in the harbour, and realised his possibilities. He induced him to take some coaching and register with the Amateur Athletic Union. • • * His Maiden Effort. At his initial appearance the lad furnished the surprise of the season. He covered 100 yards. straightaway in 57 2-5 seconds, and defeated some famous opponents. Since then Kelii has always figured at important meets and has done brilliant work at 50, 100, and 220 yards. His improvement has been steady, rather .than rapid. When a swimmer gets to going the century faster than 58 seconds even the fractions of a second are clipped with difficulty. Of late he has been threatening the Duke's laurels persistently, but until their recent dead-heat honours have invariably gone to the veteran. The turning of the tables may now be in sight. • • • The Happy Knack. Like most Hawaiians, Kelii uses the straight crawl stroke with a sixbeat leg action, and his style is said greatly to resemble that of Kahana : moku. In build, however, the two are widely apart. Where the Duke is tall and rangy Kelii is short and stocky. He reminds, one in physical make-up of Clarence Lane, the speedy Honolulu youth, who was m New York City last summer. One notes the same heavy frame and powerful, well-knit body, with amply developed but clean, supple muscles. • * * The veteran and his youthful rival are booked to try conclusions again shortly, and the result of the diiol will be watched for with keen interest the world over.