Ann Fairlie
Ann Fairlie of Johannesburg set three backstroke world records in 1966. She burst into the South African swimming scene at age 13 when she set a South African record for the 100m backstroke in late 1962. At the 1963 South African championships in Pretoria, Ann Fairlie became the youngest swimmer to be awarded Springbok colours when she was selected to compete against a visiting Dutch team that year.
She won this event at the next three South African championships 1963 -1965 - until the great dual with Karen Muir, Cathy Ferguson, and Kiki Caron ended her run at Durban in 1966.
Ann was coached by Cecil Colwin until she moved to coach Frank Gray - who was also the coach of Karen Muir - briefly in 1967. She did set a new South African record for the 220-yard freestyle in February 1967, but by then Karen Muir was at the height of her powers, and there was little chance for Ann to win any more South African titles. After nationals in Johannesburg Ann was chosen for the Springbok team in 1967, to swim against the visiting Canadian team, and again to tour overseas in July. She did compete against the Canadians but did not join the Springbok tour to Europe.
Ann married fellow Transvaal swimmer dr. Otto Thaning, the oldest person to swim the English Channel in 2014 at age 73, and he also completed a Robben Island crossing in 2021 at age 80.
August 1965
Ann Fairlie’s first world record - Kimberley, 21 February 1966
Ann Fairlie's second world record - Beziers - 23 July 1966
Ann Fairlie's third world record - August 26, 1966
Like Karen Muir, Ann Fairlie never had the opportunity of competing in the Commonwealth or Olympic Games and there is no knowing to what heights this courageous and talented swimmer might have risen if she had had the opportunity of regular international competition. Greater fame and more world records would undoubtedly have come her way if she had not been a contemporary of the legendary Karen Muir. Nevertheless, Ann did break three world records and the rivalry between her and Karen was instrumental in creating a 'golden era' in South African swimming. Technically her backstroke was near perfection and undoubtedly watching and competing against her was of inestimable benefit to Karen.
Ann with Karen Muir at Durban in 1966, and below - Ann before nationals in 1967.
Like Joan Harrison and Karen Muir, she was also a talented freestyle swimmer and annexed the 110-yard freestyle titles at both 1965 and 1966 South African nationals.
The great rivalry between Ann and Karen is well illustrated by the fact that her world record of 1:08,6 achieved at Kimberley on 21st February 1966 was eclipsed five days later by Karen at Durban with a time of 1:08,3 and reduced to 1:08,0 at the same venue three days later.
The year 1966 stands out as the 'peak' of a great career, for in addition to her three world records, Ann won a 100m freestyle event at Beziers against some of the world's best and then went on to win the American 100m backstroke title in an AAU record time of 1:07,9.
Like Karen, she has been the proud recipient of the State President's Sports Merit Award, an honour thoroughly deserved by a fine swimmer who epitomised all that is best in sport.
On the 11th December 1962, at an inter-district gala at the Hillcrest pool in Pretoria, Ann Fairlie beat the South African record for a 110-yard backstroke held by former Olympic record holder Laura Ranwell. Ann's time was 1:14,9, beating Ranwell's record of 1:15,5 by over half a second. Due to the peculiarities of South African record keeping, Ranwell's time of 1:11,4, which was the equal third-place time at the 1960 Rome Olympic Games, was not recorded as the South African record.
Ann Fairlie with coach Cecil Colwin.
Springbok Colours 1963 - First awarded Springbok Colours aged 13, against Dutch Girls' Tour 1965 - Springbok Colours vs West German Team 1965 - Springbok Colours for a tour of Spain and England 1966 - Springbok colours for a tour of France, USA and Canada. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1966 - Ann Fairlie with Canadian world champion Elaine Tanner and local rival Karen Muir.
