SWIMMING

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1986, 17 February 1914, Page 9

SWIMMING

THE BLENHEIM CARNIVAL. (By TMo»r*i»h-Pr«s Awsoiation.l Blenheim, February 16. The Now Zealand Amateur Swimming Championships opened hero this evening under ideal conditions. There was a largo attendance, and a number of people had to be turned away. Over 100 visiting swimmers were present, and tho entries in ' all events ivero large. There is every promise that the meeting will be highly successful. Results: 75 Yards, luterclub Handicap.—Levy (Wellington), 1; Bristed (Nelson), 2'; Wilton (Picton), 3. Won with a little to spare. The third man was well back. This event was run in ten heats, with a semi-final and final. Tho entries numbered sixty. 100 Yards Championship (previous holder, M. E. Champion),—First heat: Champion, 1; Atkinson, 2; Annand, 3. Also started: Fordham. Time, 62 l-saec. Second heat: Jerred, 1; Sinton, 2; Cookson, 3. Also started: Pfankuch, Stevens, and Emerson. Final heat: Champion (Auckland), 1; Atkinson (Opawa), 2; Smton (Waitemata)', 3. It was Champion's race all through, though, there was not much between him and Atkinson. Tho time was 61 4-ssec—a New Zealand record. 60 Vards Interelub Ladies'-Handicap. —Miss E. O'Leary (Masterton), 1; Miss A. O'Leary (Masterton), 2. The rest were well behind. Time, 42 3-sscc. ' High Dive.—Stevenson. (Wellington), 1; Poison (Christchnrch), 2. Milo Championship (previous holder, M. E.. Champion).—M. E. . Champion (Auckland), 1; L. Hill (Canterbury), 2. Also .started: Sinton, Newman, and Rich. Champion won easily bv throe lengths of the baths. Time, '25min. 57sec. Relay Race.—Christchnrch officials (E. Eldridge, L. A. Rich, C. Bryant, and R. Hamilton). Water Polo.—First round: Canterbury A beat Nelson by 8 goals to nil. ■ CARNIVAL NOTES. (By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.) Blenheim, February 16. The brightest of Blenheim's bright weather lias thus far greeted the visiting swimmers, and already the various bathing resorts and picnic grounds havo been besioged by tribes of sun-tanned swimmers. This evening the visitors were accorded a civic welcome by the Mayor, and everyone was convinced that he was truly welcome. To-nightr—a clear and perfect night, by the way—Blenheim folk were present at the first carnival in vast numbers, and special accommodation was rigged up in all manner of places. The baths,, which measure 25 yards by 15 yards are moderately well' appointed,' and swimmers generally are satisfied. The Star Event. The star event was of course the hundred yards race. Tho wise old heads mostly favoured the chance of M. E. Champion, but the younger enthusiasts talked confidently of the prospects of their respective nominees. There were t\vp heat's, and both were won with a fair amount of ease. Tho first heat, in which Champion, Atkinson, Annand, and Fordham competed, produced a great race. At the first turn the order was: Annand, Fordham, Champion, and Atkinson, but at the. 50 yards mark, Champion .had established his lead, the. jrest. being well bunched. At the 75 yards Champion gained a yard from Atkinson who was a similar distance away from Annand nnd Fordham. At this stage the last-named was'visibly distressed. Champion caine home ail .finishing with what looked liko _perfec't ease, but, nevertheless, establishing a new. Zealand .record..by. i%F *? '<* -» .^'r-V' ;; . ; --:i' : ; Tho second ..heat, of the same event brought out Jerred, Cookson, Pfankuch, Sinton, \ and Stevens, ~ Jerred. got .to the turn first, follewed. by Sinton, and the others wero. well together. At the second turn Jerred-was first, Stephens second, and Cookson third. From now on Jerred and Sinton made it their own race, Jerred winning b.ylj yards from Sinton, who, however, had no occasion to hurry to gain second place. Cookson was third. Jerred, who did the distance in 64 4r.ssec., and Sinton 65sec., both gained standards.

Champion broke his own heat record in the final. From a great start the field reached the first turn within a touch of one another. Atkinson touched first at the 50 yards turn, with Champion a fraction of a foot" behind, and Sinton third. The order was the same at.the 75 yards mark, but, on the home stretch, Champion pulled away and won from Atkinson by 21 yards, with Sinton half a yard further bank third. Champion's time "was" 61 4:56 ec, or; 12-ssec. faster than Brice's Now Zealand record established at Wellington in 1911. '.'The .placed . men gained standards, doing the distance in less than'66sec. .

Mile Championship. _ The mile was the only other championship event, on to-night's programme No one, of course, ever doubted that Champion would'win, and that easily, and win ho did. The starters were: Champion and Sinton (Auckland), Newmau (Wellington), and Hill and Rich (Ohristchurch). The Wellingtonians were disappointed in Newman leaving the water after having covered 500 yds. Sinton also retired at 700 yds., the tired feeling accounting • tho retirement of both. At 1000 yds. Champion, who was swimming' easily, had a lead of ten yards from. Hill, who was also swimming a fine race.. - Rich, the veteran Ohristchurch man, was 50yds. behind Hill. Champion won by two lengths from Hill, Rich having given up at--1425yd5.: Hill swam a great 'race. Tinio, 25min. 57sec. Rest of Programme. A popular win was that of the little Wellington boy Stevenson in the divo. Poison (Ohristchurch) was second, with Hanna (Wellington) third. AVellington scored another win in the 75yds. handicap, Levy winning after a Kreat effort. • ■ The polo was not a very serious combat, the Canterbury A tcp.m being pitted against _ Nelson—a weak enough bateh, who, in truth, were there merely to fill a gap. It was not reasonable to judge Canterbury's strength on tho play, but, nevertheless, the southern banner holders are a fairly classy lot. The Wellington team, who are generally considered'to bo well in the running, have their first game on Wednesday night, when''they are drawn to meet Canterbury B—a very fair team. The relay Tace resulted in favour of Canterbury, both Wellington and' Swifts teams being too heavily handicapped.