In the Water

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 16, 19 January 1924, Page 19

In the Water

(By "Headee.")

CHAMPIONSHIPS

APPROACHING WANGANUI

MEETING

PROBABLE RESULTS.

On Saturday afternoon next a commencement will be made with the national championships at Wanganui, and, as in recent years, there is every prospect of a successful gathering. .Arrangements for the big fixture are well in hand. Seating accommodation for 2000 spectators has been erected, which is sure to be taxed to its utmost on the four occasions for which it will be required. There are indications of big teams from other centres being present, in which case the competition provided will be "well up to the standard of former years, and although the ladies' events will be robbed of a great deal/of interest - through the temporary retirement of the Misses Hpeft and Waldrond (2), there is sufficient promising material offering to keep the standard of ladies' I swimming on the high plane that it has of late occupied, and one which the Dominion may be justly proud of. The championship events set down for decision on the opening day are : Senior men, 100 yards and one mile : ladies, 100 yards; intermediate, boys, 220 yards; girls, 75 yards breaststroke; and junior, boys, ICO*yards; girls; 50 yards. The first-named event, which is regarded as the blue riband for swimming, will sea all the top-notch sprinters engaged, and the race is likely to be as exciting as its predecessors. Of. the known possible starters, the local boy, C. Claridge, has, at the time of writing, registered the fastest time for the distance | this season, viz., 60 4-ssec, next-in order being /W. Smith's 61sec, and Batchelor's 61 2-Ssec. ' The latter swimmer was not extended in registering his time, from which it can be gathered that he will be capable Of reducing it, and in addition it was accomplished in fresh but I tepid water. As against this, Claridge was left at the mark badly when lie registered his time, so that making all due allowances there 13 very little difference between them. Smith's 61sec was 'recorded at the Auckland provincial championships/ when he won the 100 yards, defeating Enwright and Fairgray by a ya*d. This is a smart performance, and entitles him to respect. Enwright, the present champion, although defeated by Smith, is too dangerous a swimmer to leave out of calculations, and he may repeat his performance of laßl year when-ho won comfortably by two yards, despite the fact that reports stated that he was not the swimmer of old. It is a certainty that he will be as fit as any other competitor in the race. Murreil will be in better condition than at the combined carnival, when Claridge beat him, but will not be at the top of his form without half a dozen good Hard races. Still he can sprint fast, and is always handy at the finish of classic races, and will probably be so on this occasion. If he can get three good turns in, he will be the ua-.dest to beat. He has not won a national title since annexing the 100 and 880 yards intermediate championships in U)18. This was at Wanganui, so it.-.mqgr.; he a cas-o of "horses for courses." .E. Patergon will iin all probability be a competitor, and his presence' will add interest to the race. Hiß third to Claridgo and Murrell in the centre championship was a good effort, so early in the season, and his sprinting at last Saturday's "carnival was good enough to leave the impression that he will be well forward in condi-, tion for the race. A win for him would be very popular. Fairgray, of Auckland, is the lad who lowered the intermediate record to 62 4-ssec two years ago, when tli£ championships were held at the Te Aro Baths, but he does not appear to have shown the improvement expected. Still he may not have yet readied tojp_ form. There was a possibility some time back of Leo Kroufeld taking his place in the field, but as he did not start in the Auckland championship, it does not appear as if he will make the trip. He is saidOo be swimming extremely well. However, there will be enough talent to make tho race a splen- [ did one, and the winner is difficult to I forecast, but the places should be filled Iby Batcheior, Claridge, Enwright, and M.urreU. The mile race may see a new title holder, as Hill, the present champion, is reported as being in poor racing condition. There is no doubt as to' his staying power, he has demonstrated this quite often, but with Cunnold ■ showing good form and taking,, into consideration his previous efforts against the champion, there is every, prospect of the youthful 3wimmer finishing in front of his older rival. Most opposition to Cunnold may come from Murrell, but it is doubtful as to whether he will-stay the distance so well as' the Aucklander, who recently won the 440 yds provincial championship. Con Wilson will be a starter, and he is another genuine stayer. He is said to be going well; but Cunnold and Murrell will go too fast for him over the early stages, and he may not be able to make up the leeway. The local swimmer, Winstanley, will compete in this event if he makes the trip, and should swim^well up at the finish and in the places. Miss Shand will have no difficulty in winning the ladies' 100 yds charri--1 pionship, and her nearest attendants should be the Misses Stockley and Welch. In the intei-mediate class for boys, the 220 yds should be. a fine race between Dowsett, Barker, Lound, and Lindsay, and, taking last year's performances as a guide, the latter should be the winner. The girls' event, 75yds breastroke, may see Miss Hannan a winner, with the Misses Scotten, Clarkson, closeup. In the junior grade for boys, distance 100 yds, last year's winner, W. Cameron will probably retain his title, but he will have to travel his fastest to head off Bridson. (last year's Wellington representative, but now in Auckland), and the local boy, Fitch, while if Murphy of South Canterbury, is still eligible, he^ too, will be in the picture. The girls will compete over 50yds, and Miss Coutts, of Auckland, looks to have* the best prospects, as Vhe recently won over the distance in smart time. The Misses Breward, Magee, Breen, and Turgis will also swim well. OLYMPIA CLUB'S CARNIVAL. I The "Olympia Club's Carnival, which took place last Saturday, was a decided success, and if the weather had cleared some two hours earlier there would have been a much larger attendance of the public, who, nevertheless, turned out in good numbers to witness the first-class programme offered. Secretary Ted Pocock worked hard in tho interests of his club, and had all arrangements in smooth-running order, being capably as- i sisted' by A. Watts and J. Williams. The programme offered was a varied one, and interest was successfully maintained i throughout" the afternoon. Although I ! there was a long list of events/ these ! were got off smartly, thanks to the good work of Ralph Smith, who filled the role of starter in his usual efficient manner and with no delays. Chockstarter W. Oerrio was on the alert, and those swimmers who attempted to gel a "fly" were promptly disqualified, Tho racing itself K« interest!!!;;, and while one or two L wuu w,e« eas]Jy regards^ *&«. majority

of finishes were very close, as is'"usual with Joe Calnan's- handicapping. W. Hicks and his team of divers gave a good display, Bill himself pulling off somo spectacular stunts, which were greatly enjoyed by those present.- . Proceedings commenced with heats 01 the second-class handicap, the first ot which was well contested, the scratch man, Burgess, getting up in time to head off the two veterans—Vie. Allen I and A. Sommerville. The second heat introduced a- promising swimmer in E. Solomon, of the Evans Bay Club, who won comfortably from another club member, Cormack, who beat Wright for second place by a foot. The final was a good race, but Solomon was again too fast for his opponents, and beat Allen and Cormack home in 31 2-ssec, which was one second faster than he took for the heat. The winner has now qualified for first-class handicaps. The boys race drew a better entry than is usually the case, and the policy of making the entry free was no doubt responsible for this. Fitch, the junion representative for Wanganui, covered the distance in 32 l-ssec, and gained first place. -There was a mild sensation when it was discovered that Cyril Claridge had not arrived to take his place in tho 440 yards centre championship. He J had been erroneously advised that the ! carnival would not be held and did not discover the mistake until after the programme had started, when he made a)l haste to the baths. There'were five starters for the race, and the field all ' got away smartly to an even start. Claridge immediately went to the front, and at the first turn, which was reached in 28 4-ssec, he was slightly in front of Murrell and M'Hardy, with Zohrab and Molher next. At the 100 yards mark, Claridge. was a yard in front' of Murrell and M'Hardy, and had left I this portion of The distance behind in 1 66 3-ssec. Over the next lap Murrell ! had almost caught the leader, and Mollier had headed "the other two, and was three yards behind Murrell as they turned. With half the distance gone, Murrell and Claridge were together, five ( yards in front of Mollier, who was sticking to them in good style, the time for the furlong being 2min 47 3-ssec. M'Hardy and Zohrab had dropped out, finding the pace too solid. Tho leaders were;still together at the- 300 yards mark, which took 3miu 59sec, but Mollier had dropped back, and was 16 yards behind. Racing to the fourth hundred found Claridge slightly gaining on liis big opponent, and at" the last turn he was a yard in front. Both made good turns, and immediately clapped on the ,pace for the final 40 yards! Murrell caught Claridge quickly, and' then a desperate struggle ensued between them right to the post. First one and then the other appeared to momentarily hold the lead, and each ~ was striving, his utmost, but a gruelling finish saw them both touch together for, a dead-heat. Fred Mollier was about 25 yards back third. The time, smiu 58se*c, although below standard, was slow and will not win a national championship. Claridge was undoubtedly affected by haying to rush to the baths,* while Murrell did not appear to be his usual self: Both were distressed at'the finish of the race, whereas Mollier, who swam a fine race throughout, was quite fresh, and looked as if he could have dona another few hundred at the same pace without any effort. The- ladies' race drew a good field, and was contested in two heats and a final. Miss Brodie showed improved form in winning the first heat from Miss Imandt, while the second heat was won'comfortably\by Miss E. Wells, with Miss Farnell aW Mrs. Scales having an interesting struggle for second place. The final proved to be an easy'win for Miss Wells, who, starting from the limit, was never headed and. eventually won by two yards from Miss Imandt, scratch, who just, beat Miss Hunt on the touch. The 100 yards raco for ladies again saw Miss Wells in a favourable light, and although she was favourably treated in the handicapping, her performance was a good one, and she will be one of our best lady swimmers during next season. Miss Brodie 'and Mrs. Scales swam neck and neck a!i the way for second place, the former just gaining that position by inches. Miss Imandt would! have probably gained a place in this race, but for training purposes she swam breaststroke and made a good showing. The first-class sprinters were seen in action in a 50 yards dash, which was decided in two heats and a final. Ralph Wheeley won the first heat in good style from Pocock and Paterson, the last, named, from scratch, covering the distance in 26 sec. Tne second heat went to L. Dawkins, who just headed off Leask near the post, with Eversleigh a touch away third, and the other competitor's all close up. The final looked to lie a good thing-for Wheeley, but Les Dawkins put up a fine swim and gained the verdict from him by half a yard, with Pocock: inches away third. The others were all bundled a foot behind. The winner has improved considerably this senson,_ and should do even better before the season ends, as the racing he has liad has brought him on quickly. The 220 yards breaststroke proved an easy win for Albert Claridge, who conceded 20sec to the limit men. Swimming strongly he overtook the field in the third lap, and from then on he did not exert himself. The first hundred ■was cut out in 85sec, ■• and the full distance took 3min 19sec, but it was evident that he could have reduced this liad he been closely pressed. The 100 yards j inter-club handicap saw two good heats and a final, but the comfortable win of I Eversleigh in the first heat made it ap- j parent that the final was at his mercy, and this proved to be the' case, as he j won easily by three yards from W. La- ! velle and Paterson. In his heat L'ayelle bored across on Fitch and M'lvor, but escaped disqualification. The winner is showing great improvement, and prom--ises to be one of our front rank swim- ! mei-s. The Walker and Hall flying j squadron was a much closer contest than generally anticipated, although the holders, Olympia, eventually won by six yards. At the completion of the third hundred Maranui were in the lead, Laurie Turner swimming a good hundred, and heading Pocock, but Wheeley for Olympia, gained a lead for.his team which Claridge successfully held against Fletcher, despite the latter's~ game cattempt to make up the leeway. The diving competition was very interesting to the spectators, and proved a popular item. Hicks again showed his superiority, but both Nesbitt and Winstanley improved on their first efforts. There was very little between the competitors in the compulsory dives, but Hick's voluntary dive gained him good points. Nesbitt should confine himself to the stipulated dives when performing his voluntary ones, as ho cannot expect to secure many points from dives that are not graded. The polo match, although resulting in an easy . win for Olympia, was one of the best exhibitions of combined play seen for some time. For the winners, the resourcefulness "of Wheeley and all-round ability, of Murrell were very noticeable, while for the losers F. Adam and A. Claridge (in goal) did some good work. On Tuesday next (Anniversary Davl the Worser Bay' Club will hold its annual carnival, and there is every indication that it will be the most successful in the history of trie club. Splendid entries have been received for the big programme of events, and as many of tho representative teams will he comI potinsi" seme gcod rauiufe' should be witk Bused.