Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Monday 15 January 1923, page 9


CHARLTON'S SWIM. I

-s i

WORLD'S RECORD

~ BROKEN. .

j Harris Wins the 100 Yards.

Nothing more sensational in swimming | circles has been seen in Sydney than the magnificent performance of the Manly swimmer, A. ("Boy" Charlton, at the Domain baths

on Saturday. in

winning the 220 yards championship at the New South Wales Amateur Swimming Association's carnival in him 5 18s he boat the world's record for the distance by 19s. Many notable water athletes have made themselves famous in Australia by establishing records, but the local lad's performance eclipses them all.

As a swimmer Charlton first came into prominence

about three years. He was then but 12 years of age, but he revered half a mile In 53m 20s, an excellent swim for a boy of that age. It was the forerunner of many great achievements, for at Manly on Dcccmbed 21 of last year he covered 440 yards in

5m 16 3-5s, nnM a couple of weeks ago he

did a trial of Urn 35s for 880 yards. Although these records could not be recognised officially they undoubtedly stamped the boy as a world's champion. Many wore sceptical about the times, but his wonderful achieve-ment on Saturday eliminates all doubt. It was not only a sensational swim, but the con-summate case with which it was accomplished caused wonderment as to what times he could record If every yard of the distance had to be contested with an opponent. "As the

Hawaiian visitor. V'. near ribs. stated subsequently,

"It was the most wonderful swim over seen, and it will probably be the most wonderful thing Sydney people will over sec."

There were five starters in the 880yds championship. Charlton established a lead In the first lap, and at the end of the second lap he was 15 yards ahead of Christie, of Drummoyne,

who was swimming some distance in front of Wilkes (The Spit), with Robinson. (Rose Bay) next, and P. Smith (Pyrmont) last.

There was no change in the order, and the' result-was almost beyond doubt before a quarter of the distance had been traversed. Charl-ton swam In magnificent style and with the utmost case, and steadily increased his advantage,

completing the fifth lap about 6p [ yards In the lead. When -15 yards from home

he sprinted and finished fully 95 yards ahead

of Christie, who had about 15 yards to spare from Wilkes, who was several times applauded for averting a collision with Charlton.

There were deafening cheers when It was announced that Charlton's time was 11s 5 15s, and that he had thus reduced the

world's record by 10 seconds. The previous world's record was held by Norman Ross, who covered the distance In the 24 4-5s in Sydney

on January 10, 1920. The Australian and New South Wales record was hoM by Lady Langer, whose time at Sydney on January 15 1921, was him 16 2-5s. The latter was not recorded under- world championship conditions.

Charlton's intermediate times women's 110yds, 73s; 220yds, 2m 35 2-5s; 100yds.

4m 1 1-5s; 440yds, time 25 3-5s: 50yds, 6m 5lb:," GCOyds, 8rn 181: 170yds, film 44 4-5s: 880yds,' I'm 5 3-5s. He was subsequently rowed down

the centre of the baths in a boat, the crowd, of 6000 renewing Its cheers again and again Charlton, who is 15 years old, Is 5ft 10in in

height and weight list. He has a chest, measurement of 36in, with an expansion of 42in,

The presence of W. Harris, of Hawaii, as a competitor with members of the local clubs in the 100 yards championship, lent special interest

to that event, and when the eight men " lined the starting board the excitement of

the spectators was intense. No apparent ad- 'vantage was gained by any of the contestants in the start, all taking the water together

but when the first 30 yards had been covered' Harris was almost half a length in front. At 50 yards, Herald, of Manly, who was In second

position, gained slightly, and at 75 yards just" caught the leader, but the Hawaiian was too good for him, and proved the winner by a touch. The others finished close together, only a couple or yards behind the second man. Harris was loudly cheered after his win. It

was thought probable that Harris would, have swum also in the SSO yards championship, but it was announced that he had decided not to do so. Disappointment was expressed by the spectators, who were anxious to see the Hawaiian and A. Charlton, of Manly.

' In competition in this event. It was stated

that Harris was suffering from cramp.

In the 100yds back stroke championship TOKirkland (University), the holder of the title, was again the winner. His time, in 14 4-5s, was 3-5 of a second slower than his Australian record, established In Brisbane last year.

R. Miller, of Newcastle Surf Club, won the 100yds championship for members of country clubs, and in the 100yds breast stroke teams'

championship the holders of the title, Units versity A, were defeated by Sydney.

The handicap events were closely contested, and excellent form was displayed by the Juniors. The tiny tots' race for girls between the ages of five and nine years proved highly

entertaining. f

During the afternoon Harris attempted to lower the world's record for 50 yards, but was unsuccessful, as he took 25 seconds to cover the distance. The world's record, which is held by Alec Wickham, is 23 2-5s.

Splendid displays of high diving were given by a number of members of the N.S.W. Amateur Swimming Association. Another novelty

event was a "Ku Klux Klan raid," in which A

the competitors had to swim 50 yards with their heads covered by hoods, which completely excluded their vision. A Gmnirl (The Spit) was the first to find his way to the finishing line. All the events were got off

without delay.

Results -

50 *, AftUS JUNIOR INTltlCIbD II AMUt Al'

Heat J A Divvsoii (Sydne IPs 1 It Id c (table knife) 17s 2' Time, 44s Heat J IrJiui (list Sydney) 10s I I Volt (I cd In plan) TO ' Time 45s beat J li Mien (Balmain's If I I AMiite (hist Sydney) Its, 1 Time 17 1 % Heat 4

J Gleeson (Past Sydney), 10s 1 1 I do not. (1 it Signed) JOS J Heat 5 S like (Manly) on J, T Doyle and 1 Mr area (Sydney) is rich 1 heat,

2 Time 11s beat li G Conley fIrst By The; SS, -, J T Goodwin (sydney) 63 .' lime 15 beat 7 It Joiner (Claremont) ii I < Hirrctt (Pine at 9 2 Time T> ->5s Heat S It 1 Julie Carney) so As Waterhouse (Sydney Co 2 Time 2") 1 i. Here

ii J Herron (Sydney) is 1 t Barrett (Pirmoiit) , as I I have 30 Jas "

final r (miles (Last Sydney) 1, S Pike (2 Hill)

2 Time It use

A ADDS IN TI It Of an THIRD Colt AIM

Herr F O I ed Union in ('Illuminate) I A Alex 7 (Hordern Bros ) 2 Time Jin 10 4 "w Ut at 15 Matthews (Sydney) 1 I AAnolR (Side)) " Hine, Jin 0 1 s Heat J R Biirfcoync (Manly) J S itotltel

(last Sydney) -> line but 10 " 5s and 4 I Aslett ( (Sidney) 1 2 To the (spot) 2 finie im- 2 6

I mal- E Matthews (c Lucy) I, Av Tooke (Spit) 2 6 Leadingham (Drummoyne) 1 Time Jan 6

JOOADS ISTIliCIUn SECOND (in Mil

ment 1 r (iiniiniiiRs (Rose Bay) J C Thurn).

(Spit) 2 Time Un 7 1 j?

Heat 2 J Slinnd (University), 1 AV I "i m (University) 2 Time Jun r 4 v

Heil 1 J Mtrauht (Mnnl)), 1 F Doyle (Roof 3

Hill) 2 Time Jin 0 2 fis

think I Shnnd (University), J J Macaulay (Manly), 2 AV Plan (University) J Time 1m 5 4 5s

100YDS CHAMPIONSHIP OF "NSW

AA Harris (His all) 1 AA Herald (Monday) t II Al Ila) (Mary li) H

Other starters W Longworth (Rose Bay) I Carr bery (Sidney) Iv KirklJncL (Unlicrsttj), S Beck (Sydney) "N rnii"vvnrth (Rose Kay)

Won by a touch with two yards between second and

third Time 57 1 is

foods iNTLijv-ciun i inst Okada

Heat J v Crakanthorp (Atanlj) 1, J Davies 3 (University), 2 This, 02 2 3

Heat 2 S McCure (Manly) 1, A 1 inlay (Sydney), 2 Time 01 1 5s

heat 3 h Leadbeater (Sidney), 1; A Morton (Along), 2 Time, til "this

Heat 4 H Degotardi (last Sydney), 1 A Smith (Manly), 2 Tilden. 01 Ijs I

Trial S. Crackanthorp (Manly) his McCure (Almib) 21s Smith (Mnn'l) Time UI 35

LEADS omis una stars' in aside at

least 1 M McCarthy (I astern S Charles) 80s 1, 1) Robeson (Sydney) Mrs J, T Hill (Eastern Sub mis), 38s 3 Time 44

Heat 2 M Robinson (Sidney) mt J F McCarthy (Bondi), at, 2, R Hunter (Sidney), Si. 3

ll|"ÍSalS6D Thomson (Sydney) 1 T Hill (rider Sub

area.), 2 1 McUirtbv (Bondi) 2 Time 49 J 3

100 "YARDS I LADIES iSTIRCUn HANDICAP

lieu i J J Cities (I astern Suburbs) his 1 II for Irlt (1 island affords) ". " [mie 1 noOn

He t (s Clarke (1 Mean and uri s) "7s 1 At

"still Mrhor fly) M. L C S's C

"Trent.? late Edna. 1, 3 C S HI. (Mel).

Meeting At Wylie (Eastern Suburbs.) for 1 It t is

set (Sydney 77 - fine him 10s

Final. G Mclvvir Wducy), 1, M Wylie (Ustcrnbitl»

Drbs), 2; M. Lloyd Met.), 3. Time. In 20s. J. salt. for. (Eastern Suburbs) was the first to finish in the

past, but was illMiiiaUticd for wrinkling: her previous. time by more than three seconds. x

100 YARDS COUXTin CIIAUI'lOKSUlI'.

It. Miller (Newcastle Surf) 1

L. Beatty (Cook's Hill) . 3 J. H Preston (Newcastle Suit) 3

Other starters: F. 'Small and R. ItovburRh (Albury), G. Mclvenne (Maitland), J. Sanderson (Xcivcastlc\Surf), J. Lees Premier Club. Ncvvciillc).

Won by seven yards, touch between second and third. Time, 52 4-5s.

100 YARDS BACKSTROKE CHAMPIONSHIP OF

NEW SOUTH WALES.

K. Kirkland (University) 1 S. Beck (Sydney) a.-. 1

1'. Carberry (Sydney; 3

Other starters: A. Coppleson (Bondi), W. Wolfe (University), W. Edwards (The Spit).

Kirkland obtained the lead before half the distance had been traversed, and won with five yards to spare, a similar distance separating second and third. Time, 1m H 4-5s.

KO YARDS CHAMPIONSHIP OF NEW SOUTH WALES.

A. Charlton (Manly) .'.. 1

K. Christie (Drummoyne) . 2

A. Wilkes (The Spit) 3

Other starters: A. Rollinson (Hose Hay), and P.

Smith (Pyrmont).

Charlton went to the front in the first lap, and gradually increased his lead, winning with about 55 yards to spare, and establishing a new world record for the dMancc, his time being lim 5 15s.

500 Yards Breaststroke Teams' Championship of U.S.W.-Sydney, 1; University "A," 2; Manly, 3. Time, 7m Is.

Inter-district "A" Teams' Scratch Race. Metropolitan and Southern, J; Northern, 2; Eastern, 3. There was every close finish between Hay (Northern and Beck

(Met.). Time, 39m 17s.

Novel Event, "Ku Klux Klan. Baldina. Smairl

(Spit).

The carnival will be continued on Wednesday evening and on Saturday. This afternoon, at 5 o'clock, the heats of the 220 yards . free-style championship and the 220 yards

breast-stroke championship will be decided at

the Domain baths.

VISIT TO CRONULLA.

Vf. Harris, the Hawaiian swimmer, accompanied by Mr. O. G. H. Merrett, chairman of the council of the N.S.W. S.A., and Mr. W. R. York, secretary, was entertained by the Cro-nulla Life-saving Club yesterday. He come_ posted In a surf race, and although conceding ' up to 50 seconds start, he won easily. Harris

stated yesterday that he would oppose Charl-ton In the 440 yards championship on Wednesday night. a