CROSS-HARBOUR SWIM

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 143, 13 March 1939, Page 5

CROSS-HARBOUR SWIM

K. Lane Wins By 100 Yards The cross-harbour .swim from Pjpitea Wharf to Oriental Bay, Wellington, a dis. tancc of 1350 yards, conducted by the Y.M.C.A. Swimming and Life-saving Club, was held on Saturday afternoon, despite a stiff southerly .wind and unpleasant conditions. Five swimmers faced the starter, Mr. J. White, several .withdrawing. The finish was close, there being only 100 yards separating first and second. When the limit man, C. S. Gurney, left from the end of Pipitea Wharf at 3.20 p.m., the sea was very choppy, a condition which the swimmers encountered for two-thirds of the journey. D. Henderson went off two minutes after Gurney, followed two minutes later by J. Lockie. Gurney was swimming a strong sidestroke and was in the lead a third of tiie way across when K. Lane left, a minute after Lockie. The scratch man, K. Thwaites, conceded Lane, who was swimming a strong crawl stroke and making up leeway fast, three minutes, a handicap which proved just beyond him. Near the halfway mark Henderson improved his position, having gained on Gurney, and Lane overtook Lockie. Thwaites was making good headway and gaining on the, leaders. About twothirds across, Lane, maintaining a strong Stroke, took the lead from Gurney. Thwaites replaced Gurney in second place about 300 yards from the finishing point and went in hot pursuit of Lane. When Lane reached the beach Thwaites was about 100 yards behind. Lane raced to the finishing point on the beach as Thwaites readied his feet and made his run from the water to the flag. Gurney followed. Lockie was fourth, but was disqualified for "towing-on” to the accompanying boat, Henderson being placed fourth.

Fastest time went to Thwaites, vvhose swimming time was 26.30, Laue taking 28.15. The temperature of the water was GO degrees and the swimmers felt the cold on reaching shore. Lane, who swam well in the recent Peck Shield harbour swim, maintained the one stroke throughout the journey. lie was congratulated on his success by the secretary of the Y.M.C.A., Mr. Jones as was Thwaites for gaining fastest time.

I’lacings, handicaps and finishing times are:—

K. Lane (3.0), 28.15, 1 ; K. Thwaites (scr.), 2G.50, 2; C. 8, Gurney (8.0), 31.20. 3; D. Henderson (6.0), 34.50, 4. Lockie’s time was not taken as he did not swim the full distance’.