SWIMMING CONTEST

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 61, 15 March 1943, Page 6

SWIMMING CONTEST

BRIDGE-TO-BRIDGE EVENT SUCCESS OFV~B. HAWORTH Swimming strongly over the final stages, V. B. Haworth (Central) won the annual bridge-to-bridge race held in the Wanganui River on Saturday afternoon. It was the winner’s second success in the event. The distance is about two'jnd-a-quarter miles and the race was contested by 13 men and two women. The contest was watched by a very large crowd, and at the Town Bridge, where the race finished, there was a particularly large throng. Because of the unsatisfactory state of the tide the race was delayed an hour.

Of the field of 15 starters only five finished the full distance, and one of the five was Mrs. Alexander.

Following were the final placings: — V. B. Haworth (Central), 57min. 4 4-ssec. (scr.), 1; D. Taunton (Wanganui East), 58min. 45sec. (2min.), 2; W. James (Aramoho), 59min. (smin. 50sec.)» 3; E. Kershaw (Wellington), 59min. 20sec. (scr.), 4; Mrs. Alexander (Gonville), 60min. ssec. (9min.), 5. The actual times were:—V. B. Haworth, 57min. 4 4-ssec.; E. Kershaw, 59min. 20sec.; D. Taunton, 60min. 45sec.; W. James, 64min. 50 sec.; Mrs. Alexander. 69min. ssec.

In the early stages of the race the women contestants, Mrs. Alexander and Miss V. Doyle, were well out in front, but the back-markers were up with them before the Dublin Street Bridge was reached. As the race proceeded some began to drop out. At the stone groyne Managh was leading the field. The order passing the St. George’s Gate baths was Managh, James, Taunton, Haworth, Kershaw and Mrs. Alexander. Miss Doyle kept going until Church Place was reached and then withdrew. Managh still held the lead nassing Hatrick’s Wharf, followed by James, Taunton, Haworth and Kershaw, with Mrs. Alexander next. Onoosite the Union Boat Club landing-stage. Haworth moved over to the Anzac Parade sjde of the river and began to overhaul the leaders with powerful strokes. Managh, who had held the lead for a long way, withdrew after passing the Wanganui Rowing Club. In a finishing burst Haworth went into the lead and won comfortably from Taunton, with James next. Kershaw, who was on the scratch mark with Haworth, was fourth, followed bv Mrs. Alexander. Those who finished were given an ovation from the crowd. Later the contestants were served with afternoon tea at the Union Boat Club. The authorities controlling the race thank those who assisted with boats to follow the individual swimmers.