LADIES SWIMMING MATCH.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 343, 18 December 1879, Page 2

LADIES SWIMMING MATCH.

A match between two reiffiv ' lady swimmers was lately decided beth Baths before a large andlaeivcom- >s " pany. The competitors were Miss A, Beckwith, daughter of the renowned professor of iwimming, and Miss L. Saigeman, who has the title of champion lady swimmer of the South Coast. The distance of the match under notice was two miles, and to complete this the fair opponents had to swim 88 lengths of the bath. Miss Beckwith had previously swam 20 miles in the Thames in 6 hours 25 minutes, having received no assistance whatever on the journey. Both at the commencement swam on the chest, and Miss Saigeman held a slight lead for 24 lengths; Miss Beckwith then drew up level, and at the finish of half a mile they touched simultaneously. On completing six more lengths the Littlehampton representative was five yards ahead, but ere two more lengths had been traversed the London lady went alongside. At the conclusion of one mile Miss Beckwith was in ■**» front, and just before its termination her opponent turned on her back for a few moments. . Miss Saigeman from this point invariably led until eight lengths ■from home, when Miss Beckwith spurted in front, was soon eight yards ahead, and continued to increase her lead, and ultimately won, amidst great cheering, by 41 yards (or a yard over one length.) Both on finishing received an ovation, and were presented with bouquets. The winner accomplished her task in Ihr 42mins 33secs,