SWIMMING

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 115, 28 February 1950, Page 5

SWIMMING

DOMINION RECORDS BETTERED

GAMES COMPETITORS IN NELSON

(P.A.) NELSON, Feb. 27. The fastest 100 yards backstroke ever swum in Australia, Canada or New Zealand was recorded at the municipal baths this evening by W. Brockway, the only swimmer in the Welsh .Empire Games team. His time |of lmin 0 2-ssec was 3 3-ssec faster than P. E. Mathieson’s New Zealand record of lmin 4sec, recorded at Auckland in 1940. The world record for the distance is 56 4-ssec, but this was established in a 25yd pool. The Nelson pool is 33 l-3yds long. Brockway’s time will not be recognised as a record because it was established in a handicap event. B. Kirby (Nelson), who had Ssec handicap on Brockway, finished about two feet behind him, with A. Kinnear (Scotland), .lsec handicap, another two fCet away, third. Three women swimmers also bettered a New Zealand record in one race. This was the 100yds invitation breaststroke handicap, which was won by Miss Irene Strong (Canada) in 1 min 14 44-ssec. This was 8 2-ssec faster than Miss M. Pasalich’s national record. The other swimmers to better Miss Pasalich’s time were Miss Helen Gordon (Scotland) and Miss Elizabeth Church (England).' Miss Church' started with 2sec handicap from Miss Strong and Miss Gordon, the Empire Games champion over 220 yards. Miss Strong, swimming butterfly, finished only inches ahead of the others. Another fast time—the best recorded in the Nelson pool—was L. Beaumont’s 54 4-ssec for the 100 yards invitation freestyle handicap. The Canadian conceded handicaps of lsec to R. Legg (England) and Ssec to A. Kinnear (Scotland). Kinner finished second.