SWIMMING

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 35, 11 February 1933, Page 6

SWIMMING

By "Header" AMERICAN VISITORS

THE NATIONAL MEETING

RACE FOR PECK SHIELD

FIXTURES,

18th, 20th, and 22nd February: Senior National Championships, Napier. ■ 21st February: Kellerman Cup, Napier 23rd February: Hutt Valley Carnival Riddiford Baths. 25th and 26th February: Surf Lifesaving Championships, Foxton. The information received by the' local centre that there is a strong possibility that the noted American performers, Kalili and Kurtz, will make a short tour of New Zealand during March, will be welcome news to those supporters of the sport who were anxious to ses the famous cracks in action. At the time of writing, the New Zealand Association had not definitely accepted the offer conveyed by the Australian Union, but provided other centres agree to come in on the terms offered it is assured i a c Tisitors will appear. Each of the Americans has made excellent showings in Australia,- the versatility of Kahli and the diving of Kurtz calling rorth high praise from the critics. Both were members of the American team at the recent Olympic Games, and this in itself, is sufficient recommendation of their ability. Kalili is one of the greatest all-round swimmers the world has known, being equally at home at the breaststroke and backstroke styles as he is at free style, while Kurtz is a diver who has few peers to-day. Although beaten at the Games, the margin of points in favour of his opponents was very small, and his third placing might easily have been a winning one Australian reports say that nothing like his diving has ever been seen there, and that he is an artist'on the boards. Although the date on which these stars will appear locally is spme'wat late, it seems certain that followers of the sport will appreciate the opportunity of seeing the American champions in action. Prospective Champions. . I On Saturday next a commencement i will be made with the senior national championships, when the best of the respective centres will meet at-Napier. The absence of the short distance champion, Gordon Bridson, will detract a little from the interest in the gathering, but the brilliant sprinting of other Auckland representatives > together with the_ reported good form of other competitors, will make for • some excellent racing, with the possibility of fresh records being established.' The main race of note on the opening day is the men's 100 yards championship. There will probably be heats and a final in this event, and the qualifiers will probably —"be Thomas, Frankham, MeConville, Symesj Stokes, and Watkins. ■ (Blakeley would have reached Jhe final also but is not making the trip.) From recent performances, the winner should come from the first two named, but on, this- occasion it would cause little surprise if Frankham turned the tables on Thomas. There was only a touch between them when Thomas set up figures that equalled "W. Cameron's record of 55 4-ssec, so that the one with the luck should be in front. The remainder aTe all smart performers, but will have to swim faster to head-off either of the Aucklanders. Of them, MeConville possesses the best chance, and he should be capable of putting up a good, fight. The fast Napier water" should' suit him, but it will take.some effort to catch Frankham and Thomas. Unless there is an unknown about, Lindsay should have little- difficulty in retaining the titles he won last year after his come-back, and the mile championship should be in his safe keeping. As in previous seasons, Stokes will be the runner-up, but should victory come his way, he will receive a rousing reception, and. it will be thoroughly deserved. The women's event will be a duel between the Misses Farquahar and Leydon, with'the chances favouring the latter. In the sprint race, however, Miss Farquahar; should retain the title. . • . . • ..;/ The Harbour Swim. The third annual contest for the Peck Shield drew an excellent field, but as in previous years, several of the'competitors did not appear to have trained sufficiently for this type of race. Those who finished, however," were not. lacking in this respect, and with one exception, were little distressed by the mile and a half swim. Success again went to the Lyall Bay A team, the only club to finish with the required number. A feature of their success was the excellent teaming of Dawkins, Mollier, and Ryan, who swam into prominent places, and made the win secure. The race winner, J. LOgic, of: the Hutt Club, swam a good.Taee all .the way, and except over the last lap, steered a straight course, which materially assisted him to victory. He had apparently undergone a solid preparation for the event, and was rewarded for his diligent training. -S F. Clark, who gained second place and fastest time, swam excellently for a first attempt, and but for getting well off the course on his finishing lap, may have been the winner. L. Dawkins is well suited for distance events, and showed consistency in finishing in third place, just ahead of that great little battler, Fred Mollier. Ryan, who gained fastest time last year, was affected by cramp during parts of tho journey, otherwise he swain well, as did Hepburn l who had done little preparation for the race. C." Claridge, the back marker, had a hard task, but stuck to it gamely. Fit and well, he would have been closer up than ninth. Harewood made a promising first attempt, and other young swimmers in Rosie, Jones, and Ballard also performed creditably. McPherson, the oldest swimmer in the race, was far from disgraced in gaining eighth place, and showed evidence of good training. W. Greenbank, fully deserved the plaudits of the spectators, and his opponents in gamely finishing the course, and with his disability, his performance was a courageous one. Water Polo Teams. The "Wellington team will probably be engaged in a round of the water polo, but as the entries are not yet known, their opponents may be easy or difficult, probably the latter. The Wellington team is not the best, but the players chosen, with practice, should make a capable showing. It should be a good competition, with Hawkes Bay possessing a good chance of winning. Peck Shield. "Plunger" writes:—"l think it is worth mentioning that the veteran- of the harbour swim was E. MaePherson of Lyail Bay B team, who. is 43 years old. He swam into eighth position, showing some of the younger fry the back of his heels at the finish."