THE CHANNEL SWIM.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 15320, 22 August 1923, Page 5

THE CHANNEL SWIM.

LATEST lEWS

TIRABOSCHI’S FEAT,

A NATIONAL HERO

DECORATED BY ITALIAN KING.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn, Received August 22, 8.50 a.m. ROME, August 21.

Tiraboschi, the Channel swimmer, who has become a national hero, arrived from Milan at Signor Mussolini’s invitation. Athletes carried him through enormous crowds from the station to a motor car, in which he drove to Palazzochigi, where Signor Mussolini questioned him for half an hour about his feat. Finally lie said the Order of Chivalry had been conferred on him by the King.

Tiraboschi, the well-known Argentine swimmer, whose success in swimming the Channel in 14h. 45m. was briefly reported last week, started from Calais about two o’clock on Saturday, and was reported three miles off Dover at 10.30 a.m„ drifting westward. The news spread, and a big cirowd of holiday-makers collected, and Tiraboschi was given en immense reception on landing. Tiraboschi measures 74 inches round-the chest, and weighs 14 stone. This was his third attempt, lie came within 1000 yards in 1922, and within l'ocr miles in 1921. Thirty Calais sportsmen hoarded thedugger that escorted the swimmer, accompanied by a jazz band, to the strains of which the high-spirited swimmer performed an occasional dance in the water. The sea was calm throughout. Tiraboschi was comparatively fresh when he landed.