Champagne Athletics

If the 13,000 spectators who jammed Trafalgar Park for the 4 x 1 mile relay between New Zealand and the world record holders, the University of Oregon, hoped to see the world record broken, then they were doomed to disappointment. The time was a comparatively slow one, but there was excitement aplenty as the New Zealand team, running a planned race, came home the winners. The race, feature event on a wonderful programme, helped draw the largest crowd ever to attend an athletics meeting in Nelson. Other New Zealand track stars taking part included Dave Norris, Doreen Porter, Lorraine Curtis, and Ted O'Keefe. The latter, Empire Games representative, never had a look in in the 3000 metres steeplechase. Nelson runner, Kerry Williams, took the lead from the outsat to win by 25 yards and establish a new Wellington centre record. A wonderful run.

The start of the relay: Vic Reeve and a grimly determined Bill Baillie sat out on the first four laps

Turning point in the relay, the back straight, as Dyrol Burleson tries desperately to take the lead from John Davies

Murray Halberg and Archie San Romani stuck close together

The beautifully-built Snell looks confident as he tails Forman out of the straight

A triumphant Snell and a disappointed Forman

Snell breaks the tape

Happy New Zealanders: Snell, Davies, Halberg and Baillie

Defeated but still smiling, Burleson, Reeve, Forman, and San Romani

Doreen Porter (second right) gets away well to win 100 yards easily

Dave Norris making his recordbreaking long Jump of 25ft 8in

Lorraine Curtis jumped well but did not continue as the jumping pit was not of standard size

Kerry Williams leads O'Keefe and American Caryll Steinke over the water- jump in the steeplechase

Williams, an easy winner with 0'Kaefe a long way back

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The Nelson Photo News

No 27 : February 2, 1963

Champagne Athletics