AQUATICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIII, Issue 801, 13 July 1905, Page 14

AQUATICS.

(By

“ THE REEFER.”)

At the same regatta the much-coveted Diamond Sculls was won by the wellknown Sydney oarsman F. C. Kelly. • • • •

Young Kieran is evidently getting into form in England, as on Saturday he competed in a mile championship race on the Mersey, which event he won by no less than 300 yards.

A cable received during the week states that at Henley Regatta the Grand Challenge Cup for eights was won by a crew from the famous Leander Club. The grand Belgium Rowing Club occupied thehon our able position of second place in the final, so' must have done some good work in the heats.

Dave Billington, who defeated Kieran for the English mile championship, though little more than a boy (he is perhaps 20 years of age), has been in the fore-front of English swimmers for several years. As a mere lad, and known as “ Boy” Billington, he attracted considerable attention, and since first winning the Counties 1000 yards amateur championship at 15 years of age, he. has made his presence felt in many a big event. Billington is the son of a bath proprietor.

A writer in the London 11 Sportsman” says, concerning the visit of Kieran to England : — c 1 The only condition that the Royal Life Saving Society imposes in connection with Kieran’s visit here is that he shall compete in the King’s Cup

races. Otherwise, he is to have an entirely free hand to compete in any event he wishes, and will have the best advice from the society’s officials. Already a number of clubs have written to Bayleystreet regarding his giving a display at their galas, but I am authorised to state that nothing can yet be settled on this point. At present it is arranged that he shall make his first public appearance in the mile championship at Highgate on July 1, which will give him about three weeks in order to get acclimatised. In this event he is expected to do well, particularly when it is remembered that his world's record is 23min 16 4-ssec. The English best, 24min 56 2-ssec, by Billington, nearly lOG'sec slower, means a deal, but when it is considered that Billington is now a year older, and there is just the chance of Kieran not getting quite up to concert pitch in the short space of three weeks, it may be that we shall see a very close race. When in 1902 Read and Cavill were here, they made their first appearance in this event at Highgat.e, but did anything but well. Cavill was unplaced, and Read, who at the time held the world’s record for a mile, only third. Neither here nor in Australia is it thought that Kieran will do particularly well in the King’s cup races the following week, for he has never paid any attention to the back and breast methods that are to be used. His defeat in the event would not be remarkable or exceptional, for all will remember that last year Jarvis was beaten by a Nottingham swimmer named Gadsby, a man with only one leg, in the 440 yards race, and by Johannsen, of Sweden, Kidger, of Great Meeting S.C., and Naylor, of Hornsey, in the 150 yards event. As a matter of fact, the conditions framed for the King’s Cup are rather against men like Kieran, who have restricted themselves entirely to one stroke.”

Miss Kellermann, the Australian lady swimmer who put up such a fine performance in the Thames the other day, purposes, ere the present season closes, endeavouring to swim the English Channel, and, in view of the fact that an Australian lady (Madame Scacesen) some few years back went very close indeed to crossing that treacherous stretch of water between Dover and Calais, there are many ueonle who entertain the belief that the Australian lady champion may succeed, especially as she is plucky, has plenty of stamina, and possesses a good physique.

The sculling race for the championship of the world, to be rowed on the Parramatta on the 22nd inst., is a topic of general conversation among the sportsmen and the public (says the Sydney “ Mail”), and it is evident it will be the most interesting race held on the river for many years past. Stanbury and Towns are both getting very fit, and rowing well. They have put in a good deal of work during the week, and are doing all thev know to prepare for the struggle, assisted by their trainers. Towns now looks very well, and has hardened up a lot, although he does not row above his weight, rather below it. He certainly is in the best of form, and will show first-class work in the race. His brother Charlie has been unwell with a heavy cold, but is now getting into work again. Mitchell, who is with Stanbury, has also been “ off colour,” but Beach has been able to look after the ex-champion, and has proved the right man for the work. Stanbury is muscular and healthy, and

will be able to row at a nice' weight. His face looks rather drawn, but he aL ways did look like this when training. His sculling is marked by great power, and is good in point of skill. It may safely be said he will be capable of a great race when the day comes, and it is reported his speed is giving his backers great confidence.