Access to this collection is generously supported by Arcadia funds. The swimmers are identified, with with their registration numbers and home addresses, in The Catalina Islander, 12 Jan. 1927: 5. View of Norman Ross, contestant 72, and Bert Rovere getting ready for the Wrigley Ocean Marathon at Isthmus Cove, Santa Catalina Island. Bert Rovere is covered in oil to provide insulation against the cold water. Spectators stand behind the swimmers. Norman DeMille Ross was an American competition swimmer who won five events at the Inter-Allied Games in June 1919, held at Joinville-Le-Pont near Paris, and three gold medals at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium. He set thirteen world records and held eighteen U.S. National Championships during his career. Text from negative sleeve: Catalina Channel Swim, 1927 Text from the newspaper caption: Climbing Into the Drink at Catalina Isthmus for the Greatest Ocean Derby in the World. ...Norman Ross, the "Big Moose," who alone of all the 102 starters, distained grease and took only an olive oil rub. Curious spectators who crowded about the swimmers while they were making their last-minute preparations held up the start of the race while the beach was being cleared...The number 72 beside Ross was the number carried by his observation boat, on board which were trainers, food and stimulants and an official observer. [Photo standalone title "Cold Water Drives Many From Race." Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 1927: A1]
Type
Image
Format
b&w nitrate negative
Identifier
uclamss_1429_1522 ark:/21198/zz002dc0m9
Language
No linguistic content
Subject
Long distance swimming--California--Santa Catalina Island Region Swimmers--California--Santa Catalina Island Isthmus Cove (Santa Catalina Island) Wrigley Ocean Marathon Ross, Norman DeMille, 1895-1953
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