Brilliant Come-Back After Severe Injury

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30962, 19 January 1966, Page 19

Brilliant Come-Back After Severe Injury

“The Press” Special Service WELLINGTON. A young Wellington girl, who two years ago, after a severe back injury, nearly decided never to swim again, won two of the three main events at the Naenae Olympic Swimming Pool on Saturday.

Miss Jenny Vanston held off the strongest of New Zealand’s women swimmers to win the 110yds women’s freestyle and the 440 yds women’s freestyle.

Her performance in the 440 was all the more impressive because it was only the second 440 she had swum in two seasons.

In 1963 at the national championships, held in Auckland, Miss Vanston twisted her back during an event when making a turn. After several unsuccessful attempts to swim, she sought the advice of a chiropractor. Her intention was that she

would decide nqver to swim again.

However, under the expert eye of her coach, Mr J. Hamilton, she gradually regained a little of her confidence. She began swimming in earnest at the end of November last year, at the end of the season, and was just beginning to come right.

Her two performances on Saturday were a tribute to her determination and courage.

In the 110yds freestyle Miss Vanston stayed with the leaders all the way. Last season’s national champion, Miss June Amies (Bay of Plenty) led for most of the way and then slowly fell back to give Miss Vanston the win. Miss Vanston’s time of 67.7 sec was only ,2sec outside the Wellington record of 67.55ec. The 440yds freestyle saw Miss Vanston, Miss Edmond and Miss Barbara Watson. (Wellington) led all the way. They were required to complete eight lengths of the pool. On the seventh length Miss Vanston began to draw away from her opponents and won by 10 yards from Miss Edmond, who fought to hold off Miss Wat.son.