SWIMMING.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16038, 31 January 1920, Page 8

SWIMMING.

A MUNICIPAL BATH SURPRISE, P. DICKSON’S FINE ACHIEVEMENT. By “NATATOR.” Congratulations to Peter Dickson. In the final of a hundred yards club race last evening Peter put up a performance that has not been equalled in the local baths for the last ten years. On Thursday evening Dickson covered the distance in 66 3-ssec., beating T. Thomas, who conceded him 4sec. Thomas, who was on scratch, cut out the four lengths of the bath in 66 l-ssec. — a very fine performance indeed. As Dickson had been handicapped on 72 sec. performance, no one thought he could get much under that, and when Mr Henry Cooper’s watch registered 66 3-ssec. it was thought a mistake had been made. Last night was the testing period, when Eric Forlong (who won his heat on Thursday evening), Mowatt Dickson, and Annabel faced the,starter. A ding-dong race ensued, Dickson getting control on the second lap. Thence to the end of the race there was no doubt as to who was going to win, and Dickson had a real good victory, his time being 65 3-ssec. It is confidently expected Dickson can even beat that time, and will on Wednesday next on the occasion of the 100 yds championship. The rowing he did up to Christmas, and the swimming he has done since has put him in perfect fitness for any ordeal, and no one will be at all surprised if he lands both the 100 yds and 220 yds championships on Wednesday night. His two keenest rivals will be Trev. Thomas and V. Reid The former did the distance in 66 1-Ssec., and Reid’s best performance this year is 67 3-ssec., so that it will be seen the three competitors for championship honours over the 100 yds are very evenly matched. Reid is two or three years younger than the others, and only requires more staying power, which will oome with development, to make him a first-class sprinter. In the meantime he can he expected tc> give the field a good “go” on Wednesday night, and whoever wins will well deserve the honour which the winning of the race will bring with it. As a result of Dickson’s great performance last night, the selectors, Messrs Cooper and Muller, have nominated him for the Dominion 100 yds championship as well as the 200 yds, which up "to "the present luis been Peter’s pet distance, and in which for the past two or three years he holds an unbeaten record. On the great form he is showing, the selectors could not keep him out. , Deem is swimming the breaststroke distance in a powerful- style, and he will put up a very fine performance in Auckland. Of that lam sure. It is awkward the schools not reopening on Monday in view of the carnival on Wednesday night, but it is understood the relay race will eventuate just the same. . Dowsett is a great boy swimmer, and he is likely to have a good win on Wednesday evening. I would like to suggest to the Oarmval Committee that the 100 yds championship on Wednesday evening be taken first in order to try and secure a -record for the baths. With still water this should be achieved seeing that Dickson and Thomas have already got to 65 and 66 seconds.