SWIMMING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19787, 10 March 1927, Page 4

SWIMMING

ACQUATIC THRILLS GONVILLE CARNIVAL DOWSETT’S BRILLIANT SEVENTYFIVE MISS STRATTON BREAKS RECORD Speed and thrills went hand in hand at the Gonville Swimming Baths last evening when a combined carnival was held under the joint auspices of the Gonville Ladies and Men’s Clubs. Conditions were first class —the water was fast and the swimmers were on their best form. Fine performances were recorded in race after race, and between the excellent handicapping of Mr T. Anderson and the speed displayed by Norman Dowsctt, New Zealand 100yds record holder, and Natalie Stratton, Wanganui intermediate ladies’ champion, the large attendance was roused to enthusiasm. Dowsctt and Miss Stratton surprised everyone. Starting in the 75 yards handicap, Dowsett gave away starts of up to 17 seconds. He cut down the opposition, man after man, in sensational style, and started on the last lap giving away starts of up to ten yards to the limit men. Dowsett did the last 25 yards in a shade over 11 seconds and won the event by a yard in 42 4-ssec. A Remarkable Performance. Dowsett was on his best form, and the pity now is that the race was not over 100 yards. All conditions being as they were again, there is nothing surer than that Dowsett would have set new figures for the 100 yards so far as fresh water is concerned, and there is every reason to believ he would have broken 58 seconds and equalled his own New Zealand record established in Waiteinata baths, Auckland, last year. This may sound a bold statement, but Dowsett had covered 75 yards in 42 4-5 seconds and had a margin of 15 l-ssec. left in which to equal his record. The way he was swimming at the finish of the 75 yards left no reason for doubt that Wanganui’s champion would have accomplished at least 58 seconds for 100 yards, a performance equal to 56 seconds in Waitemata baths. Adamson would hardly have known the way he was going if he had met Dowsett over the hundred under similar conditions. Embryo Champion Lady Swimmer. Natalie Stratton covered the final of the 50 yards ladies handicap in 31 seconds, a performance which ranks as the best in New Zealand to date over :th e distance. Even Ena Stockley, New Zealand's champion sprinter, has not swum the distance in under 32 seconds, so Miss Stratton’s performance was a meritorious one indeed. The winner, however, has to thank the consistent Gonville crack, Jean Whyman, for her fine performance. Miss Whyman kept her at it all the way and it was only Miss Stratton ’s superior speed over the last pinch that gave her a victory over her popular rival, by about six inches. Ryland’s Staying Powers. E. Ryland was also responsible for a fine performance in the 440 yards handicap. His time was nothing out of the ordinary, but his performance was full of merit. He has staying ability above the average and another season’s experience should make him a competitor to be seriously considered in national events. The race was a keen one all the way. Mowatt had a two length lead of the scratch men by the time I the field got under way. With four f laps gone Dowsett began to lag and (Ryland, who was swimming very steadily, began to go away from him. With ten laps to go Mowatt was leading from North and in another 50 yards North had forged to the front from Mowatt, Gowan and Rylands, and Dowisett tailed the field. With half the distance covered Rylands improved his position and he turned, with six laps to go, a few feet ahead of Gowan, who led North, and Dowsctt, with Mowatt last. With 100 yards to go Ryland led Gowan and North bunched and Dowsett, Beaven, Robson and Mowatt. Ryland turned with a very easy lead and won by 15 yards while Gowan and North fought out a great finish for second place. Dowsett was fourth, followed by Beaven and Robson. Another Future Champion. Len Smith won the 100 yards breast' stroke very easily. He has a very fine stylo and gives promise of becoming one of the finest exponents of the legitimate swimming stroke ever seen in New Zaland waters. The carnival, which was particularly well managed, concluded with a polo match between teams representing the ladies and men of the Gonville Club. Th ladies scored a meritorious victory by two goals to one. Miss Whyman was the scorer for the ladies and *D. Veitch shot a goal for the men. Mr A. Muller was referee. Detailed. Results. Results were: — 50yds. Boys under 15.—First heat: D. Newall, 9 sec, 1; V, Newall, 7sec, 2; D. Gowan, 6sec, 3. Time 39sec. Second heat: Chisholm, Isec, 1; Gainey, scr., 2; Quarrie, 3sec, 3. Time 32sec. Third heat: Gordon, 3sec, 1; Pearce, Bsec, 2; T. Gainey, 7sec, 3. Time 32sec. Fourth heat: Marshall, 6scc, 1; Constantine, 9sec, 2. Time 37sec. Final: Marshall (disqualified), Gainey 1, Chisholm 2. Time 39 l-ssec. Marshall finished first but was disqualified. 25yds Girls under 15, —First heat: E. Gilberd, 7sec, 1; M. Long, 6sec, 2; G. Gilberd, Usee, 3. Time 22 4-ssec. Second heat: D. Anderson, 4sec, 1; V. Melton, 3sec, 2; J. Richardson, 2sec, 3. Time 18sec. Third heat: V. Wilson, 2sec, 1; R Harris, 2sec, 2. Time 16 1-5 sec. Final: M. Long 1, D. Anderson 2, E. Gilberd 3. Won by a yard. Time 17sec. 440yds Men’s Handicap.—W. Ryland 1; North, 18scc, 2; Gowan, 23sec, 3.

Also competed: Mowatt 50sec, Wilson , 28sec, Yardley 25sec, Melville 25see, Beaven 23sec, Robson 21 sec, Chainey , 18sec. Won easily. Touch for second ' place. Time 6min 51sec. Open Novelty Animal Race. —Whyman 1, Climo 2. 50yds Ladies Handicap.—First heat: V. Melton, Bsec, 1; D. Anderson, 9sec, 2; M. Corby, 12sec, 3. Time 39 4-ssec. Second heat: N. Stratton, scr, 1; J. Whyman, Isec, 2; M. Cameron. 2see, 3. Time 31 4-ssec. Third heat: C. JonesPritchard, 6sec, 1; M. Sampson, 6sec, 2. Time 42 2-ssec. Final: N. Stratton 1 J. Whyman 2. D. Anderson 3. Tinu 31 sec. V. Melton was disqualified. Won by a touch. Men’s Dive.—Tulloch 1, Falconer 2. 75yds Men’s Handicap. —First heat: Quarrie, 17sec, 1; L. Smith, lOsec, 2; Gainey, 7sec, 3. Time 61 2-ssec. Second heat: H. Gowan, 6sec, 1; V. North. 4sec, 2; Tilley, llsec, 3. Time 52 2-sscc. Third heat: Dowsett, scr., 1; Robson 4sec, 2; Ryland, 3sec, 3. Time 45sec. Final: Dowsctt 1, L. Smith 2, Quarrie 3. W’on by a yard. Touch second and third. Time 42 4-ssec. Ladies’ Dive. —J. Whyman 1, C. Jones-Pritchard 2, E. Anderson 3. 100 Yards Men’s Breaststroke. —L. Smith, scr., 1; H. Gowan, Bsec, 2; G. Beaven. 7soc, 3. Won easily. Tinu Imin. 23 2-ssec. Boys’ Tub Race.—Mclntyre and Con stantine 1. The only finishers. 75yds Ladies’ Medley.—J. Whyman scr., 1; E. Anderson, 6sec, 2; C. JonesPritchard, 2sec, 3. Won very easily. Timo Imin. 7 2-ssec. Open Plunge.—Miss J. Whyman 1, E. Ryland 2. Distance 43ft. 4in., wo n by 18 inches. 75yds Ladies’ Breaststroke Handicap. —J. Whyman, scr., 1; L. Broadhead. 3sec, 2; E. Anderson, 3sec, 3. Won by two yards, the rest of the field bunched. Time 71sec. BIG MONEY £lO,OOO PRIZES ENDURANCE STARS TO COMPETB LONDON, March 6. Norman Derham, who swam the Eng lish Channel in November last, bcinj the first Englishman to do so since 1911 will take part on May 1 in a swimming competition at Youngs’ town (Toronto) for which prizes totalling £lO,OOO are offered. The Californian youth, George Young, who won the Wrigley £5OOO prize for swimming the Catalina Channel last month, and Mrs. Corson and Gertrude Ederle, both of whom swam the English Channel last year, will also be among the competitors.