BRIDGE-TO-BRIDGE SWIMMING RACE TO GONVILLE LAD

Wanganui Chronicle, 10 March 1947, Page 6

BRIDGE-TO-BRIDGE SWIMMING RACE TO GONVILLE LAD

With a record number of starters — there being 48 and 10 starters in the men’s and women's sections respectively—the annual Bridge-to-Bridge swimming race, conducted by the Central Swimming Club, was decided in the Wanganui River on Saturday afternoon.

J. Galvin, of the Gonville Swimming Club, who started off the Imin. 45sec. mark, carried his handicap very well in the men’s section to come home a comfortable winner with more than 100 yards advantage over F- White (Central), I Casey, of Petone Swimming Club, took third place, a little ahead of the main bunch. Galvin and White, with little between them,’ had caught the limit swimmers by the time Calver s corner was reached, and passing beneath the .Dublin Street Bridge Galvin had established a lead of approximately 50 yards over White. Both were covering the course with easy overarm strokes, while Casey, very close in to the town bank, was making up ground on the leaders with a strong breaststroke.

Shortly after passing the Dublin Street Bridge, Casey, still making up ground, was most unfortunate to run into a large patch of still water. His speed was practically stopped for several minutes, during which he did extremely well to swim out of the backwater. This check was a serious reverse, and by the time he was again in the current the two leading swimmers had established a considerable advantage, Casey’s task of catching them being remote in the extreme. Although the scratch jnen and those

who started just before them were making better time through the water, their handicaps were such as never to provide them with a chance of getting within striking distance of Galvin and White. The field steadily closed up right throughout the race, but by the time Galvin reached the town bridge the main field was still some 250 yards in the rear. VISITING SWIMMERS TAKE MAJOR PLACINGS IN THE WOMEN’S DIVISION RACE In the women’s race, the limit markers A- Seager (Hutt), N. Brenman (Petone), and V. Doyle (Central) got away early. The two visitors gradually left the Wanganui girl in their wakes, and eventually won outin first and second place respectively. Miss P. Gibson (Wanganui East) off Imin., occupied third place. Miss Seager and Miss Brenman established an early partnership, and swimming together, established a lead of about 100 yards- Miss Gibson and Miss Doyle were also together until opposite the St. George’s Gate baths, where Miss Gibson went away, using back and overarm strokes tivelyStill in front, Miss Seager and Miss Brenman opened out when off the rowing sheds, and in a strong finish Miss Seager outlasted her opponent to hold an advantage of approximately 75 yards at the finish. Miss Gibson was 50 yards back. Miss F. Leatham, of the Gonville Swimming Club, off the scratch mark, swam an outsanding race. For practically the compete journey she swam with a backstroke style—that which has won her the local championshipkeeping a steady and fast pace. Like the men scratch swimmers, she was set a hard task to catch the limit contestants, to whom she conceded S min., but even so the ground which she made up over the mile and aquarter spoke well for her performance. Official times and placings in both the men’s and women's races are as follow: MEN’S SECTION. J- Galvin, Gonville (I.4ssec), 29rnin 19sec. 1, fastest time; F. White, Central (1.15) 31min llsec, 2; W. Havnes, Petone (1.0) 31min 37sec, 3; Pollitt, P.N. (3.15 J 30min., 4; D. Lett, Central (limit) 33min 24sec, 5; V- Lister, Petone (2.45) 30min 40sec., 6; A. Robson, Stratford (3.30 ) 29min 58sec., and L. Piper, Hutt (3.0) 30min 28sec, 7 equal; J. Brough, Hutt (1-30) 32min 13sec., 9; D. DeCastro, Ohakune (1.45) 32min, 10; F. Ryan, Lyall Bay (3.30) 30min 24sec, 11; R. Holmes, Petone (3.15) 30min 38sec-, 12; D Low, Collegiate School (3.15) 30min 38sec. 13; J. Langham, Central (1.45) 32min 21 sec., 14; M. Ericsson, Central (4 30) and A- Kendall, Central (4.30 ) 29mln. 49sec., equal 15; A. Lockett, Stratford (3.15) 31min. 12sec., 16. WOMEN’S DIVISION. Miss A. Seager, Hutt (30sec ) 16min. ISsec., 1; Miss N. Brenman, Petone (limit) 17min 3sec., 2; Miss P. Gibson, Wanganui East (2min.) 15min 27sec. fastest time, 3; Miss J. Anderson, Wanganui East (2-30) 15min 39sec., 4; Miss D. Tyler, Gonville (2.30) 15min 48 sec., 5; Miss V. Dolye, Central (limit) 18min 27sec., 6; Miss B. Dixon, Central (2min) 16min 27sec., 7; Miss M. Dixon, Central (3min) 15mn 45ec., 8; Miss F. Leatham, Gonville (3m!n.) 16min 5 sec., 9; Miss B. Fiske, Aramoho (10) 18min 7sec., 10.