SWIMMING

Hokitika Guardian, 19 August 1930, Page 3

SWIMMING

A NEW GIRL CHAMPION. (Australian Press Association) SYDNEY, August 17. A remarkable girl swimmer, Helene Madison, of Seattle, who recently was suddenely revealed as America’s foremost world record breaker, will probably appear in Sydney next season. She is a winsome blonde qnd is only 16 years of age. Edna Davies and Jean Cocks would be Helene Madison’s principal challengers in Sydney. The racing would certainly provide excellent tests to.Miss Cocks, wlio has not yet faced a bigli-clnss girl swimmer from another nation.

Helene Madison flashed into prominence only a year ago, and during a live days indoor gala at Miami, Florida, in April last, she eclipsed four world records, three of them in the most convincing manner.

Hef extraordinary times were registered in a 25-yard pool. She reduced the previous world’s best for 100 yards from 60 9-10scc. to 10 4-ssec., 100 metres from 69 2-osecs. to 68-sec., 220 yards from ?min. 40 3-osec. to 2 min. 35sec., and 500'yards from fimin. 32sec. to 'Ginin. 16 2-5 sec. She also displayed exceptional pace, over 50 metres, registering 31 secs. In only five days she became the greatest woman speed swimmer of the United States, a distinction possessed without dispute by Martha Norelius before her retirement from amateur sport.

The New South Wales Woman’s Association lias already discussed the question of inviting Miss Madison to undertake a trip to Australia. Finality, was not reached at tlie meeting, but the honorary secretary (Mrs Chambers) will call an executive meeting soon to decide whether Miss Madison shall be asked to visit Sydney. Finance, of course, is the reason for the cautiousness and hesitation of the association to agree to forward an Invitation to the American girl, but it is emphasised that if the association requested the Australian Swimming Union to, ask Miss- Madison .to .visit New South Wale ? s, alone, th.e, association’s expenses,, would be covered bv! returns from the yountry centres .where-' she would n& sure to be an excellent attraction.