SWIMMING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 85, 11 April 1935, Page 12

SWIMMING

" NEW ZEALAND CHAMPION RETURN OF MISS M. UEYDON. d RESIDENCE IN SYDNEY' LATER, c Her intention oT returning to Sydney about August and to reside there was expressed by the New Zealand g champion swimmer, Miss Mona Leydon, I- who arrived in Auckland by the M.on- (| tcrey on Saturday morning, after havg ing competed in. New South Wales championships. Miss Leydon praised the friendliness in the sport in Sydney, saying that defeat was accepted in god spirit, whereas in Auckland there was jealousy. Miss Leydon swam in three contests, being runner-up to Miss Kitty MacKay, of Sydney, in the furlong, but winning the half-mile and mile. She wuu the half-mili' by 25 yards from Miss Marion (Jockburn, and the mile by 50 yards from kliss Joan Davies. Miss 1 Reydon 's time were 10m. 35 3-ss. and • 26m. 10s, but. she did not think she ’ swam her hardest. In the furlong she ■ had a stern struggle with Miss MacKay, who registered 2m 46 3-ss, to her ; 2m. 4<Ss. “My mother and J were entertained most hospitably,” said Miss Leydon. “We were accorded a reception al the Hotel Australia by the New South Wales Ladies' Amateur Swimming Association, am] on other occasions were, the guests at functions arranged by the Nellie Stewart Memorial (Jlub, the New Zealand Kia Ora Club, the New Zea land Women’s Club and the New Zealand Younger Set. Club.” Of ail the Sydney girl swimmers none impressed Miss Leydon more than did Mis.-, Pat Norton, the Australian sprint champion whom she considered the, most amazing swimmer she had ever seen. Outstanding times for backstroke were being made by a junior, Miss Joyce Gemmell. Every encouragement was offered in developing champions. At certain periods each day various pools were reserved for competitive swimmers, so that they might train without interference and even at ordinary times, precautions were taken against their being obstructed by children and other bathers. Miss Leydon also thought that facilities for Sunday swimming were better than in Auckland. Every pool was open all day on Sunday until 8.30 p.m. “I much admired the sportsmanship of the Sydney girls.’’ addediss Leydon. ’• A friendly feeling existed among them, and before my race numerous people wished me luck with genuine sincerity.”