SWIMMING RECORDS BROKEN

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8347, 6 February 1913, Page 8

SWIMMING RECORDS BROKEN

BY CHAMPION AND ATKINSON, ) Press Association. WANGANUI, February 5. The New Zealand amateur swimming championship meeting was continued this evening in fine weather. There was another large attendance of the public* Results of championship events: 220 yards Breast Stroke Championship. —Starters were: C. Atkinson (Opawa, world’s record holder), ; L, Poison (East Christchurch, holder of the championship), C. H. Neal (Wellington), and A„ Squire (Wanganui). The -men got away well together, and Atkinson was leading at the first turning. At the next he was four feet in front of Poison, and, at 100 yards tie Qpawa crack had increased his lead to about six yards. Poison, Neal, and Squire were well together. Squire shortly afterwards gave up, and at next turn Poison also retired. Atkinson then, went ahead and won in fine style by about 25 yards from Neal, these being the only two to finish. Time, 3min Seec. Atkinson beat L'is own world’s record by B 3-seec. 880yds Championship. Starters were: F. Seymour (Hawke’s Bay), C. Welson (Waitemata), E. Pfanknch (Blenheim), H. Rich (Opawa), M. E. Champion {Waitemata). At 100yds Rich had fallen back, while Seymour, Champion, and Welson were keeping in line. These three kept in line for some distance, drawing further away from Rich. Progress was made in. this manner till 300yds had been traversed, when Rich withdrew. There was no change in the other positions until there were but 75yds to go, when Champion drew right away from Welson, Seymour being well back. Champion finished well by about nine yards, Seymour being some fifteen yards behind Welson. Time, X2min 15sec, beating the record by 2 l-ssec; 12min 23 X-sseo was Welson’s time, while Seymour covered the journey in 12min 30 4-ssec. The finishers all beat the standard time. Other events resulted as follows: 100yds Inter-Club Handicap.—Wilson (Napier). 12sec, 1; Laing (Inglewood), 13aiec, 2; Sterling (East Christchurch), 3, 'Time, 79sec. The final of the Inter-Club Handicap Ladies’ event is to be swum to-morrow. Springboard Dive. Gcmmcll (Opawa), 1; Poison (Sydenham), 2; Atkinson (Opawa), 3. Polo.—Wanganui A beat Canterbury B by two to nil. Canterbury A beat Nelson by six to nil. Special to the “Times.” WANGANUI. February 6. There were only two championship events at to-night’s meeting, and one saw a world’s record reduced and the second lowered the New Zealand figures. C. Atkinson, of the Opawa Club. Christchurch, and holder of the world's record of 3min 10 2-ssec for the 220yds breast stroke, won that event to-night by 25yds in 3miu Ssec, easily beating the record, Atkinson swam beautifully. The other starters were C. H. Neal (Wellington), A. Squire (Wanganui) and L. Poison (Sydenham). The latter was holder of the title. Atkinson, getting away well, took the lead immediately. Poison being next. At 50yds Atkinson led Poison by about syds, Neal being in close attendance on Poison. At the 100yds mark Atkinson’s lead had increased to 10yds, Pol. son being a few feet in front of Neal, At 150ydk Atkinson had placed a full 15yds of water between himself and Poison, who had a yard advantage of Neal. The latter was swimming strongly and holding to Poison well, and the crowd were speculating as to who would bo second, when Poison, finding the pace too severe, stopped. Squire also stopped, leaving only Atkinson and Neal in the race. The Christchurch swimmer was maintaining a wonderful pace without appearing to unduly exert himself. His glide between strokes was beautiful, and it was difficult to see where all the power was coining from. Over the rest of the course ho drew steadily further and further from Neal, eventually winning by 25 yards. The cheers for his win were succeeded by a hush while the crowd waited expectantly for the announcement of the time. Up went the megaphone, and “Atkinson 1, Neal 2. Time, 3min Ssec,” called the official. The applause that followed lasted for minutes-