THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, SATURDAY, MAY 31, 1947.
..SPORTS FEATURES
ROY MOOR, English international track runnor] takes you over the history of that notable race
The English Mile
The most popular of all track running events among English-speaking nations is the mile (1609m.). There is at present much speculation as to who will become the first athlete to run the dis- tance in the exact four minutes or faster. It is my opinion that the four-minute mile is beyond the capabilities of the leading runners known to the world today.:
Many years
inust
Gundar Boegk, of Sweden, who, time of 4 min. 4.2 sees. He finished established the existing record at 4only 4 m. behind Andersson, win- min. 1.4 secs. In 1945, no longer ner in 4 mln. 3.8 secs. takes a competitive_part In track
pass I think, athletics and the Swedish Athletic Association has since declared him before such an evenly matched set n professional. Arne Andersson, Buperchampions us Bluegg, An
dersson and Wooderson appear Sweden, who held the record at 4 min. sees, before Hugs, has also again. Only then can we hope wo see the record time reduced ill been deprived of his amateur status The gallant little Londoner, Sidney Wooderson, who won the 5.000m European champlonship at Oslo in 1040, has also retired from top-grade track competition.
SUPER-CHAMPIONS
world れて
Arthur Peall says:
B
RWARE of the obvious
snooker; a second look at tho nsition may show a proft. For in- atastro, atestor find a free-ball when Tost red Wha the bail on 3
how D near the bottom cushion f
diagram. The obvi
thing
is to score three by pocketing black rus red followed by yallow, which in poor Booker.
Bent stroke in pinyed off bottom cushion to pocket yellow ad red as indicated. This leaves on easy black: Striker pockets it, and scores oight instead of three.
Paced by a double baulk na byd-- cated in diagram, slektor played a manse nliot wiles sent curhal out or Aulk before it nwerved back to
coru the canon.
Striker claimttied a fair shot because eue-ball 100 Leen played ullt of naulk, This is wrong. The stroke
is a foul because it a ball is in baulk no part of it may be played on direct, from hand."
CAR RACING
French Regain Supremacy
Paris, May.
further. Lennart Strand and use! French racing automobiles hove Gustafson, i would say, are the bestred out in front since the war's one-mile runners in the present. Each incks, however, thalend after being eclipsed by other finishing strength to achieve the 4-European racers, for the past 12 minute mile.
years.
Since the 18th century mile run ning has played a prominent part in -For several seasons I believed that English sport. Times recorded then, one of this trio would achieve the however. urc unreliable because ambition of all middle distance run-competitors raced under varied and ners. Often I wished that the three often unsuitable conditions. Records might meet in a race. Under ideal of times for the English mile show produced a new world record. Al-feated John Ireland and was Umed most on every occasion when Anat 4 min. 50 secs. dersson and linegt compeled against one another the record figures were improved upon, In the only race Wooderson had against Anderss the English champion achieved
centimetre
JACK HOBBS, in this exclusive cricket
Particle, says:
Half Our
Our Test Team Must Be Dropped
First resolution for the new cricket season is that we must get down to some real cricket played by real cricketers.
tour
There were happenings during the Australian which should be put behind us for good.. We certainly don't want to waste time arguing whether the umpires are giving right or wrong decisions.
want
Moreover,
we don't players declaring that they had to appen against the light or waste time instead of using it because these things were necessary irr order to win a match.
The way to win a match is to play cricket, and that la the way we shall make cricket live in this new season of golden opportunity for the game. BIG DISAPPOINTMENT
In the results sense the visit to Australia was a big disappointment. This means that
to a considerable extent we have to start again to find for the coming Test new players
minichen.
There is no point lu shutting our eres to the fact that several players of repuls did not make the grade in Australia.
I expected much, more from such
We know we shall want a new captain, too but don't let us plek him on this first Sunday in May, Let us look round for candidates
• with both eyes opek,
WOMEN IN SPORTS
The Amazing 'Babe' Didrikson
(By CHARLES RIDLEY)
London-Britain's sportswomen are looking forward to a visit in June from Amazonian "Babe" Didrikson Zaharias, for 15 years a near-legendary figure among the ranks of United States sports girls, Mrs Mildred Zaharias “The Marriage came to Mildred Didrik- Babe" to most American sports fans son just in the nick of time-the- -developed from a frail, unathletic- sports writers already were begin- looking schoolgirl at Beaumont High ning to dub her "the muscle moil." School Texas, to an International Now she is essentially the synonym for feminine toughness who young wife, wearing all the silly has found it hard to be anything hats, nylons and nail varnish, and less than outstanding at any branch carrying her 130 lbs with becoming And for sport she concen- of sport at which she has tried her grace.
trates on her comparatively digni- fied goling activities.
hand.
רותיות
Over the protestations of her over-
|
trim
Won
before three torn muscles near her
lower ribs forced her to lay off for a spell. As holder of the American
anxious, parents, the young Miss But this amazing woman
Laskel- Didrikson started to play
can't help being a champion. Ear- bait in her second year at school, ller this season she
twelve She was sensational. She turned to American golf tournaments in a row lennis-and the result was the same. Finally, Colonel Melvin J. Me- Dallas insurance There are players worth watching Combs, lead of a carefully because we know they have firm, spotted her as a likely pros- Women's National championship, she some of the necessary qualitiespect for his company's basketball is now looting around for fresh
Job as a Watson of team-no he gave her
The firm's team began to she plans to enter the British La- clerk. Gloucester. I SU or
The Colonel then Robertson win its matches,
started a track team and once again Innd, in the second week in June
took over, establish this year. Miss Didrikson
American Amateur Athletic At 20, Babe Didrikson is a care-
fields to conquer and that's
why
dles' championship at Gullane Scot-
Gimblett of Somerset. Yorkshire. Cook Hollies of Warwickshire, of 'Middlesex, and so on.
For professsionals to make the Test match grade is going to be more Union records in the high and broad than ever worth while from their jumps, Javelin and baseball throws free woman, but like all women she own point of view. But the standard-throwing the leather ball and just can't help being a little bit sen-. tossing the Javelin man-sized dis-sitive about her age. "I may look tances of 200 feet and 143 ft 4 inches. a bit older, but I'm only 29, and must be set high.
won't be 30 ull June," she said re- "People forget that I've cently. been around a long time. only 15 when I competed in the 1933 Olympics."
Some
HUNT FOR TALENT
There is welcome evidence that the countles are alive to this necessity for the production of better
cricketers.
OLYMPIC STAR. AT 15
I was
she
In 1932. when she was 15 and no longer a delicate little girl, Miss Didrikson starred in the Los Angeles
people think I'm over 50," Olympic Games, notching new re- During the 1946-47 scason Bu-
cords for the gatti, Delage, Delahaye, and Talbot racers in the larger classes and the
There is news of Hampshire having and 80 meters hurdles" high jump she added with a smile. "So now I carry around my birth certificate a long-term scheme for finding and smaller
As she grow older, though, the just to prove my age." 1,100 cuble
Be that as it may, however, the themselves men as Laurie Fishlock (for whom I being on the best; of Patsy Hend-schoolgirl wonder athlete began to proved Simca-Gordini
ren having put in some time coaching devote her spare time to golf. The Babe is an impressive female of the In addition to tried so hard to set a place). Dick Sussex players; and of Surrey men result was more amazing than ever, species homens, and wherever
arouses consistent winners.
admiration-admira- conditions such an event might have that in 1801 # Captain Barclay de- these new racers, French designers | Pollard, Joe Hardstaff. Peter Smith. ] going through a special course offer prodigious driving became the goes
like Bugatti and Andre Lory have and so on.
envy of all men in a country where tion summed up for all time by two fan 519 he brand-new cars almost ready. By
the long drive is the ultimate aim words of a Didrikson should faler summer France
A drive watched her golfing one day. of every golfer's striving.
"Whatta woman," he said.Unlled. of 240 yards came to be her overage
Press. shot, while once she hit an unsus- pecting little golf ball 408 yards clear down the fairway. Which, indirectly, was how she met her hus- band, heavyweight wrestling cham- plon George Zaharias,
The greatest annual race of the English turf is being run next Saturday, so that you will probably
be interested in these,...
£1
FACTS ABOUT THE DERBY
First Derby was decided over one mile on the present course in 1780. Distance was increased to 12 furlongs in 1784. Colts then carried 8 stone, this was raised to 8st 101bs in 1862 and finally 9st in 1884. .
FIRST RECORD
The first amateur record for the distance to be officially recognised
was the 4 min. 44.3 secs, made by
making perhaps the fastest racing automobiles in Europe.
Den
Right after the war Deloge turned out a three litre, non-supercharged R.E. Webster of England in 1805. A racer whose six cylinders pushed it later another Englishman, to several road race victories, yeur B. Lawes, Improved the figures to 4 Inhaye produced a four and one- Rremarkable half litre, non-supercharged model min. 30 sces. In 1808 a runner for his day, W. M. Chinnery 175 which also had success. Tho (England), twice
beat this per-new Delahaye motor, was a modi- drat formance, with 4 min. 33.2 secs ficution of the pre-war engine with and then with 4 4 min. 29 secs.
three instead of two carburettors.
Intter igures survived only a few weeks. Before the end of the year!
Talbot has turned out
ก
fairly
W. C. Gibbs (England) reduced the successful four and one-half
2 record to 4 min. 28.8 secs. In rar, but it has not won
NEW DESIGNS
tro
D5 many
W. Slide (England) lowered prizes as the Delahaye and Delage timo to 4 min. 25 secs. The racers, following season he reduced this tune by a second-and-half. His 1 min. 24.5 secs, survived for six years and then B. R. Wise claimed record for Australia with 4 min. 24.4 sees.
With a year
new cars which are half
It is all very fine to alt back row. however, and say that If, instead of taking some players on past reputa- tions, and others on the strength of one or two good performances wa ad taken rome other players, the end of the story might have been happy
instead of sad..
All that can be sold on that score is that they might have done better. There was no
guarantee that they would.
the on
Anyway, the lesson is that we have to look for better playera. Even some of the comparative suc- cesses in Australia would have heen considered Wear fallures it
his arm over,
The Agures which these fellows
physical training.
Blg. cricket needs
more serious Challengers to Yorkshire, a county which itself will have to do some rebuilding, but which organises rather than trusts to luck,
Every set of county ofclala--and county explains must insist on real cricket. That is the way to make this new season a great one.
Short Shots
So Barbara Ann Scott stuck ta
the handing-back ceremony as the
tn
KO Lawn Bowls Over Weekend
the
Lawn bowls takes pride of place
the sporting activities of weekend.
Zaharias watched her driving one day, managed to fix an introduc- tion and married her soon after wards. The couple still go golfing The Club de Recreio take part in together, and one day recently, the a knock-out tournament on Sunday, Babe hit a smashing drive down the when the "A Team meets the
Husband George, a plain Kowloon fairway.
Football Club at the KCC, golfer, wound up, went and the "C" Team opposen Prison ough a few contortions common | Officers' Club at Talkoo.
Taikoo Club and KOC meet in a In his trade, and hit the ball a fes
Bary Appily
Docks tomorrow, and are also scheduled for a friendly match at Causeway this afternoon...
Bay
Correspondence
Unit Sweepstake Prizes
judged by our bighest standards. her original decision in the sad "cel-yards further than his wife. "I al-knock-out tournament game at No useful purpose is served by sit-vertible car" affair she handed her ways suid I could fall in love with Kowloon ling back and telling ourselves that cream and chromium roadster back a man strong enough to outdrive Taikoo
another to the City of Ottawa which had me," the Babe remarked. Alec Bedser is alrendy French hopes for the Immediate Maurice fate, or that in Douglas presented it to her, the
saying she liked future are placed in three entirely Wright we have the best leg-spinner it very much but she liked the den plus googly howler who ever brought ing for Canada much better... Tears, of winning the Olymple figure skat drawing-boards, half in the experi England regained mental stage. Bugatti is busy build-
reportedly, were not far away after the honour when W. G. George pro-ing the first at the Licorne factory duced 4 min, 21.4 secs. The year outside Paris. He is constructing brought back with them don't in gallant little tee-queen took leave 1883 saw W. Snook (England) an entirely new 1,500 cubic centi- themselves call for superlativen. of the
and stepped into her prove upon George's best by 1.4 secs. metre, four-cylinder, supercharged
1937 Chevrolet...Lee Cooper of the Early
the following season George motor which should develop more It may be that the failure of other | United Press, Britain's keenest Twenty-six of the Two Thousand recaptured the world record with 4 than 220 horsepower. This is the men-Bill Voce and unfortunate Jim fechockey fan, took his courage in Gulneas winners have won
sees. George's perfortiest completely new Bugatti motor Langride, for example meant that both hands recently and asked the Epsom Derby. Last three dual win-mance, considered of the time to Be In 15
French racing years.
en- Bedser and Wright had to bowl too
captain of Streatham Felines wo- unbeatable, survived unbea
exactly 11thusiasts are looking forward to its much to be at their best all the time.men's icehockey team for a dance at In 1005 another English trial runs, probably late May or champion, FE. Bacon surprised sup- June.
But we shall not put our cricket a local ball...Saying he expected to
be treated as
as "just another stick house in order by setting them as our by running a parters of the sport by mile in min. 17 secs. Yet within The French auto manufacturers standard. If we start with the idea in the tough sports girls hands", Lee-
can And or produce even
was pleasantly surprised to find she a week or so the record went to an have Jointly put up money for a that we
these players walized divinely...Rumanian tennis American, T. Connell, who "clocked" second new racer. This one is de- better players, ther
by inspired to be star Magda Rurac, recent conqueror 4 min. 15.0 sets. Ainerie did not signed by Andre Lary, on automu-themselves may
of the redoubtable Pauline Betz, and engineer attached surrender the title unul 1023. J.P.bile
to the better. Jones bent Conneft's figures with 4
described by the American champlen Technique D'Automobile In
as "probably the best woman star in car la a vee-eight
Europe",
was scratched from the It is
singles contest in London's Padding- supercharg
ton tournament recently when visa
up In Paris.-
themin.
both
years.
18.4
Centre
OUR NEW CAPTAIN
la
ners; Blue Peter, 1939, Bahram 1933, Cameronlan 1931.
Fifty two first favourites have won the race, 25 ran second, and 18 were placed third. Last three sue cessful favourites Blue Peter 1930, Bahram 1935, Hyperlon 1933,
famous Newmar Robert Robson ket trainer and John Porter won Derby seven times. Fred
14.4 secs, in 1913; but Jones was an Darling has equalled this record, American citizen as was N. S. Taber
It is standing out mlic that we though two of his viclories were in who, in 1915, reduced the record to
rged. want perhaps 50 per cent. new war-time substitute races at New-4 min. 12.0 secs.
engineers said the Lory players as compared with the Aur- difculties held her
a revolutionary tralian party. car would not motor but would use new alloy me When in 1923 Paave Nurmi (Fin-tals and certain technical E. C. Elliott and C. Smirke with land) improved the world's best time tions which, the engineers
Innova- two victories have best Epsom re-to 4 min. 10.4 sees, many considered "May prove very, very
said, cord of present day jockeys. that the limit of human racing en- Lory's car is a racing car only in- Robinson rode six winners, W. Clift, durance had
market.
J. Arnull, F. Buckle and Fred Archer five winners, Steve Donoghue won the Epsom Derby on Humorist, Captain Cuttle, Papyrus and Manna as well as two substitute zaces at
Newmarket.
FOUNDER WINS
min. 15.4 secs. in 1911, and
4 minŠTA
IS rated at 1,500 cubic
been reached. But clrovide high-spe
4 to
500
interesting."
Nurm! prophesied that a 4 miri.
It is designed primarily secx. mile would be possible when search for the sponsoring auto com- engine Te- champions learned how best to panies. The car is expected to be
tilise their energy over the distance. ready in late summer. Nurmi has proved himself as great a prophet as he was a runner. His
SCCs.
Very little is known about the
line cylinders.
All the latest French racers will have more or leas conventional racing car bodies, engineers said.
own record was beaten after eight third brand-new French racing car years by Jules Ladoumegue (France) | being designed by Henrl de Coucy, The twelfth Earl of Derby who who became the first runner ever to De Coucy is building a 300 CMC founded the famous race won with "break" ' 4 min. 10 secs. Ladou- supercharged motor with cight in- Sir Peter in 1787. Next victory gain-mygue timed 4 mins. 0.2 secs. ed by the family Was with Sansovino 1924 followed by Hyperion LOVELOCK AND WOODERSON 1933.
The starting gate was used for the survived but two summers.
Great as was this achievement it first time in 1901.
In 1033 Late King Edward won the Blue Bill Bonthran, of Princeton Univer. A spokesman for the auto indus- Riband with Persimmon, Diamond sily, produced a sensational 4 min. try said France hoped these new
e and Minor.
As Prince of 0.7
only to have the record ein automobiles would re-estab-
lish French racing car George IV the race with Sir taken from him within a month.
supremacy. The spokesman pointed out that th Thomas. This year Blue Train car- Jack Lovelock, a New Zealander ries the Royal colours.
resident in England, made a pheno-til 1936 French cars ruled the Euro- Diomed Brst Derby winner was menal run of 4 min. 7.0 secs the auto man said financial
pean speedways. After that date ater sold to America for 50 guineas. America regained the prized honour The Aga Khan's winner Bahram 12 months later when Glenn Cun- cede first place to the Germans who was sold to America fox 40,000 ningham ran the finest rate of his subsidised their automobile industry guineas!
gallant track career. IIe set the Sayajirao, brother to Dante, win-record at 4 min. 0.8 secs. Mean as a matter of propaganda for the
Hitler regime. Newmarket, 1945 cost the while, in England young Sidney Gaekwar of Baroda 28,000. guineas. Wooderson was attracting much at-
Galtee More, hottest favourite, oftention. When in 1033 he decided designers have been feverishly busy. Since the war, however, French all time, started at 4 to 1' on In to make an attempt to lower Cun- When the results of the Bugatii, 1807. He won. A
ningham's Agures the Londoner Lory and De Coucy trial runs are Record timo ls credited to succeeded, with 4/10 sec, to spare, known, the world will know how Mahmoud with 2 min 33-4/5 seconds Wooderson held the record for successful Die French efforts have
been-United Press.
her
at
In 1936.
several years,
and
other troubles forced the French to
United Press.
I THINK HE'S WORRYING_TOO MUCH ABOUT THE TE-ST
(The Editor, ILK. Telegraph), Sir, I should like to associate myself with your appeal for blg Hongkong Jockey Club sweepstakes to be divided into units.
I notice from today's papers that the Irish Sweepstake on the Derby has been split into 23 units of £50,000 each. thus giving every ticket holder- chances of winning one of the main own feeling that the prizes. My own
is Hongkong Jockey Club could well divide the prize money in the Lon- tao Handicap Sweepstake into six The prizes units of $100,000 each. would offer a handsome return on outlay and the chances of drawing a winning ticket would be enhanced six times.
SWEEPSTAKE SUPPORTER.
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produced within the Empire.
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and above all is AN EXCELLENT BEER!
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How asouT
| A LITTLE DOUT
ON THE MAT -
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„HOPS
YEAST
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