SWIMMING.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20540, 15 February 1935, Page 13

SWIMMING.

National Championship Prospects. AQUATIC STARS AT WORK. (•Special to the “ Star.”) AUCKLAND, This Day. Th stage is set for the biggest event of the year in New Zealand swimming—the national championships—which commence at Auckland to-morrow. Seldom before has such interest been taken in the championship meeting. With intense competition in all events, and with the fast Auckland water to aid competitors, several records are likely to be broken. It is the opinion of Mr Malcolm Champion, leading Auckland coach, that the records for the 440yds, 880yds, and one mile events will go by the board this year. Professor D. B. Anderson, another Auckland tutor and mentor to Mona Leydon, Nancy Ludlow and Reg Thomas, said that the would be won in the region of sm!n 10see. One thing is certain—it will not be a South- Island swimmer who will do it in that time. The visitors- are finding the filtrated salt water difficult. It is most buoyant, but, on the other hand, is severe on the* eyes. After swimming 100 yards in this -water one is hardly able to see. Canterbury and Southland swimmers, who arrived yesterday, are thus at a disadvantage. Low is finding the water hard, although his eyes are out of. it most of the time' while swimming backstroke. Hay ICot Take part. Barbara Lewin, who was recognised as sure winner of the backstroke, and probable winner of the 100yds freestyle titles, has concussion and may not be able to swim. Walter Jarvis has an injured arm which lie received while competing in the surf competitions at Sumner last week. Clyde Cliff (Canterbury) is ailing slightly and may not compete. Miss Hughes is fit and swimming at top form, and the Auckland girls regard her as their most serious rival. - Law will have to be at the top of his form in order to beat Whareaitu in the backstroke. The Maori has been doing lmln 43sec in Rotorua and hopes to improve on this time in Auckland. Matliieson, the record-holder, is finding the climate tiring, and is not going at all well. It looks like Whareaitu, Low and then Mathieson. Whareaitu did 100 yards freestyle in 56sec in a woollen costume in training on Wednesday. This is as good as 54sec and a fraction in a silk ■ costume; so the Maori will have to be considered. Going Splendidly. Reg Thomas and Bob Frankham are going splendidly, and they will he dangerous over all distances. The writer has never seen such a difference in a swimmer in a year as in Noel Crump. He is labouring now when he tries for speed, and it is the general opinion of prominent judges that his only win will come In the quarter-mile. Walden Johnson, who was prominent as an intermediate a few years ago, trains with CYump. and on his form he should be a tough proposition iri the distance events. ... ,T. D. O’Driscoll is training well and has done some fast work-outs. His form appeals to Auckland enthusiasts who regard him as a fine all-rounder. Arrivals. All local competitors have eagerly looked forward to seeing the two late arrivals. D. H. Symes (Canterbury) and Miss Nancey Basstlan (Southland) in action. Both southern champions are doing well in training, considering the short time -they have been here. Symes is so fit that he smokes for fear of going stale. It has been rumoured that Len Smith. New Zealand’s outstanding breaststroke exponent, is not coming to Auckland to defend his title, as he was not nominated for the event by the Wanganui Centre. His' entry has been received, but he has not yet arrived. The' one-mile men’s freestyle has attracted thirteen starters, and the heats are being decided to-day. There are nineteen entrants for the men's dive and close on fifty for the Annette Kellerman Cup. The dive, which was to have been decided in the harbour during the running of the Anriette Kellerman Cup race, will now take place at Mount Hden bat-hs. owing to a protest having been lodged. The following is the writer's forecast of the placings in the various events: — Hen’s Events. 100yds-—Frankham, Jarvis, Crump, Whareaitu. 220yds—Frankham. Crump. Thomas. 440yds—Crump, Lindsay, Thomas. 880yds—Lindsay, Crump, Johnson. Mile—Lindsay, Thomas, Johnson, Breaststroke—Smith. Spry, Magee. Backstroke—Whareaitu,..Low, MathieDive—Hassan. Wesney. Women’s Events. 100yds—Basstiah, Leydon, Hughes. 220yds —-J eydon, Basstian. Hughes. 4 40yds—Leydon, Ludlow, Hughes. Breaststroke—Judith Webster. Backstroke—Leydon, Lewin. Dive —Rix, Price, Say, Saturday. 100 Yards Men’s Freestyle—>i. Crump, R. Frankham, R. Thomas, S. Lazarus (Auckland), D. H. Symes, L. Allan (Canterbury), W. Whareaitu, R. Simon (South Auckland), Cl- Chamberlain (Taranaki), A. Somervell (Wellington), W. J. Jarvis, J. O’Driscoll (Otago), P. H. M’Gratli (Southland). Mile Men’s Freestyle—D. P. Lindsay (Manawatu), J. O’Driscoll (Otago), J. A. Young, C. Cliff (Canterbury), J. Neville (Taranaki). L. Broadman, G. Watkins (Hawke’s Bay), L. Yates (South Auckland), N. Crump, R. Thomas, C. RBuchanan, W. Johnson, T, Rex (Auckland). 220 Yards Men’s Breast-stroke—L. Smith. B. Haworth (Wangani*i), K. Spry. (Wellington). J. Magee, H. Mackintosh (Auckland). 220 Yards Ladies’ Freestyle—Mrs Nv . O. Stockley. Misses N. Ludlow, M. Leydon, E. Rainey, S. Grange' (Auckland). P. Sporle (Manawatu), V. Carncross (Taranaki), N. Hughes (Canterbury), N. Basstlan (Southland). Second Say, Monday. 220 Yards Men’s Freestyle—N. Crump, R, Frankham, R. Thomas (Auckland), J. Neville (Taranaki), D. 11. Symes (Canterbury), W. J. Jarvis, J. O’Driscoll (Otago). P. H. M’Grath (Southland). 880 Yards Men’s Freestyle—D. PLindsay (Manawatu), R. Simon. L. Yates (South Auckland), L. Broadman, G. Watkins (Hawke’s Bay), C. Cliff. J. AYoung (Canterbury), J O’Driseoll (Otago), P. FT. M’Grath (Southland), N. Crump, R. Thomas. W. Johnson, C. RBuchanan (Auckland). 440 Yards Ladies’ Freestyle—-Misses Levdon. Ludlow (Auckland). Carncross (Taranaki). Basstian (Southland), Hughes (Canterbury). 150 Yards Men’s Backstroke—W. Whareaitu . (South Auckland), C. RBuchanan. A. Raper (Auckland), <*. Low. T,. J. Moorhouse (Canterbury), PF. Mathieson, W. J. Jarvis (Otagb). Third Day, Tuesday. Men’s Diving—W. Hassan. F. Midgley, G. Oliver, G. Berry (Auckland). F. Ladd, J. Salisbury, W. Burch, W. Ewart, R. Simon (Auckland). F. Thurlow, L. Wright (Hawke's Bay), R. Williams, R. Charter. F. Martin (Taranaki), B. Haworth (Wanganui), E. Crossley. S. Muff (South Auckland), F. Greenway (Nelson), A. W. Wesney (Southland). Ladies’ Diving:—Miss M. Price (Wellington), Mrs G. C. Isaacs. Miss G. Rix Keilerman Cup—G. Usher. S. Donaldson, W. .T. Stevens. T. Rix, C RBuchanan and Misses K. Bull. L. Halford and M. Leydon (Auckland). A. R. Marshall (Southland), IT. Warburton (Wellington), L. Yates. J. Green (South Auckland). pourth Day, Wednesday. 440 Yards Men’s Freestyle—D. P. Mndsay (Manawatu). N. Crump, TtFrankham. R. Thomas. W. Johnson, CR. Buclianan (Auckland). R. Simon, P. M’Rae (South Auckland). -T. Neville (Taranaki). D. H. Symes. C. Cliff (Canterbury). J. O’Driseoll (Otago), P. H. M’Grath (Southland)., • I 100 Yards Ladies’ Freestyle—Mrs Stockley. Misses , Leydon. Rainev. Grange’ Ludlow, V. Colthurst (Auckland), Sporle (Manawatu), Hughes (Oanterburv). L. Gordon (Otago). Basstian (Southland). 100 Yards Ladies’ Backstroke—Mrs Stoekjev, Misses Leydon (Auckland). Basstian (Southland). 220 Yards Ladies’ Breaststroke—Mis«es J. Webster,' J. Thomson (Auckland) : Yards Flying Squadron Relay— Auckland, South Auckland