SWIMMING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19539, 25 March 1926, Page 4

SWIMMING

GALLANT STRUGGLE BETWEEN TWO CHAMPIONS GRIER’S DEFEAT OF DOWSETT WANGANUI SWIMMER SURPASSES EXPECTATIONS (Special to “Chronicle.”) AUCKLAND, March 23. The glistening waters of the Tepid Baths were disturbed to-night as never before, when the fastest quartette of [swimmers that ever contested a race in the Dominion fought for supremacy in the 100 yards invitation scratch race. The field was a brilliant one. The starters were: Reg. Grier (Brisbane), Australian 220 yards champion; Norman Dowsctt (Wanganui), Dominion 100 yards champion and holder of the record of 58 3-ssec; Arthur Adamson, whom Dowsctt sensationally defeated at Napier in his record swim, and Les Fairgray, third on that occasion. A wonderful race was won by Grier, who beat Dowsett by a foot in the remarkable time of 57sec, Dowsett’s 57 2-sscc beating his own record by 1 l-ssec. No more exciting or closely contested race has ever been, seen in Auckland, and Dowsett was the recipient of many congratulations, as was Grier, for his remarkable showing. These were well deserved as Dowsctt was the youngest competitor, Grier (20 years) being his senior. Fairgray and Adamson two years older than Grier, who was making his third and final appearance before returning home. His advantage over Dowsett, who arrived only yesterday morning and was swimming under strange conditions, also appealed to Aucklanders.

Many considered Adamson fortunate to have the opportunity of avenging his previous defeat amid familiar surroundings. However, the Wanganui youth was in the pink of condition, as were his opponents, and though he just failed to defeat the Queenslander, he was four feet ahead of Adamson at the finish and seven feet from Fairgray. As the men lined up on the special platform, allowing the full regulation take-off, the order from left to right was Dowsctt, Grier, Adamson, Fairgray. They got away to a perfect start, and as they emerged from the water Dowsett set off with an irresistible burst of speed. Fairgray, who is also noted as a quick beginner, was in close attendance, Grier being third and Adamson last. Dowsett and Fairgray turned at the end of the first lap together, but the former was ahead at 50 -vards, where Grier began to show up. Nevertheless Dowsett got to the second turn first and was inches in front of Grier going down the last lap. With eight yards to go the Queenslander was level, and his great fighting finish gradually saw him wear his opponent down and he hurled himself at the side, to get the decision in a wonderful race by a foot. For the second half of the journey only Dowsett and Grier were in the race, and the spec-, tutors will not soon forget the great tussle. Dowsett delighted them with his performance and carried their respect.

Grier considers that if the Wanganui youth remedied a tendency to pull in breast stroke style with his arms instead of underneath his body he would do even better. Grier has never swum faster. He was second to Frank Doyle in the Australia 100 yards championship this year, being beaten narrowly in 58sec.

It is more than ever apparent that with competition Dowsett would improve wonderfully, and undoubtedly the salt water of the tepid bath was appreciated after the fresh water he swims in at Wanganui. Dowsett leaves for home to-morrow morning. Miss Jean Whyman, intermedixte breast stroke champion and record holder, was a started in the 220 yards open breaststroke handicap, with a concession of 24sec. She swam well for third place, and conceded 10 sec to the man who won. The scratch man, Bruton, just headed her off for second place. Her time, 3min. 49sec, or 9scc outside the Dominion record, is a record.

In the 100 yards Ladies ’ Handicap she dead-heated for second place with Miss Jean Bell, who gave her 4sec start. Miss D. Grant (2sec.) won in 71 2-5 sec.