The Hawaiian gazette., 1914-02-24
From sundly Advertiser

81 AAhSH 4. ,H..
While six t.opsand persons swarmed
along both sides Of Alakea slip in Ho-
nolulu harbor yesterday morning, the
hest swimmers in the world, many Of
them from the Pacific Coast, the others
from Oahu, broke one worlds swim
ming record, equaled another world 3
record and smashed beyond recognition
-four Hawaiian records. Not bad
showing for a few hours work. In
eluded in il was one Of the big surprises
Of the day, the defeat by narrow mar.
gin Of ..ahmamokn, Hawaii's cham
pion, by mainland boy heretofore but
little heard of in swimming events. II
was the big surprise and not for several
moments after the exciting finish did
the immense throng who had watched
the swimmers battle inch by inch for
supremacy through the ffty-yard water
course, realize that for once their idol
bad met a competitor who could really
test his skin. II was q great race, one
which Kahanamoku can well aeknow-
ledge was fairly lost and one which the
winner is entitled to full credit for his
laurels.
That Hawaii can lose with as good
Rrace as IL can win was attested by the
cheering which followed the announce.
ment that kahanamoku had lost the
ffty-yard event by narrow margin.
As the meet Of these swimmers was
held under the auspices Of the Hawaii
an sraneh Of the A. A. u. these records
will be officially proclaimed to the
world within o fortnight
Sensations Numerous.
sensations were many during the
meet, but the real sensation, that which
brought forth rtsounding cheers from
nearly every throat OF the thousands of
spectators, was the accomplishment Of
hobert Small, formerly of Pittsburgh,
but now San Franciscan, who defeat
ed the redOubtable Duke T.. Kahanamo-
IN in the hity;yard dash.
The San Franciscan covered the dis
lance in manner that left no doubt
but what he was the better man yes
terday. He won from the worlds
champion by Q yard in the fast time of
O:23s.5 seconds, which equals the
world 8 record held by A. Wfckham of
Australia. G
The mark also breaks Duke Kahana-
moku's record for the distance at
straightaway in open water Of 0:24 and
which was the American and Hawaiian
record.
Man to man there was little between
the two. Each was 1.-THE Of body,
strong of limb and trained to the hour.
The shade IL anything was with the Ha-
waiian, for il was in his home town and
the waters Of Honolulu harbor had Of.
ten been used bv the champion for the
exhibition Of his skill as water man
and IL has been here that he broke
many Of the records swimmers before
him had made. ssa.fi #..
Start Is Perfect One. ~
Six men faced the starter at few
minutes to ten o'clock and as each con-
testant was introduced TO the crowd he
was heartily cheered Little delay was
experienced in getting the men away
and as they took the water, the specta-
tors awoke TO the fact that before them
were six crackerjack fifty.yard man and
that the winner would have to bend sy-
cry muscle and use every ounce of his
strength to annex the honor.
Duke took the lead for fraction of
a second followed by George Cunha and
Robert Small. Quick as fash, though,
the San Franciscan pulled away from
his closest opponent and within fifteen
seconds was out in front, a position he
held until the tape was reached, finish.
ing fully yard in front of Kahanamo,
ku and at least three yards IN front Of
-Cunha. fg H. a,. .,.s
As the victor and the yanquished
drew back from the finishing line the
pair trod water aud KahanamOku was
naturally the first to congratulate
Small As he climbed up the ladder to
the pontoon the crowd gave the new
champion a royal Honolulu welcome.
Not because he was champion, for the
crowd did not know that yet, but more
because he had taken the measure Of
world champion and because he was
clean cut American winner.
When the announcer megaphoned the
time, 0;23S,5, one on the top of Punch.
bowl could have heard the cheering. At
that the crowd did not forget Kahana-
molsu. and he, too. rame in for cheers as
he walked to HRS. dressing room,
Duke Wins First Event. &.
IL was case Of hurry with the
breakfast dishes. for with the meet
scheduled to begin at nine clock one
had 10 arise with the sun and hurry
TO tic naval wharf If they wanted TO
be in on the fun "a', ..
No one seemed to have complaint.
though, and by half-past eight O'Clock
the seats were well filed on each side
Of the waterway with we'll grOOmed
men. handsomely gowned women and
smiling. happy children, IT was tyFi
cal Honolulu crowd, good natured and
generous, and the yanquished were as
iiberally applauded as were the victo's
Opening the Program was 44O.yard
dosh, with DuXe p Kahanamoku, Lin.
colin Johnson. u. Kruoer and George
Keaweamahi entered This event proved
eprv for the HRWaiian champion, for
Ksbanamoku swan under the wire far
10 advance OF Johpson and Kruger in
the slow time OF $40 2.5.