Swimming Latest News

Over 100 of Scotland’s up and coming young swimming stars, from the District Regional Programme, Youth Development and Senior Bronze Squads have attended National Stroke Days at the National Swimming Academy in Stirling and the Dolan Aquacentre in East Kilbride. 

 

The four day camp, spread over the past two weekends – covering free and back, breast and fly, and IM- were run by four leading coaches and over 25 support coaches from Scotland, and focussed on the key skill elements of each of the strokes, along with technical analysis, race strategies and psychological elements of racing.

 

The days also provided an excellent opportunity for all to take on board some key messages geared towards improving performances in the future. In addition swimmers were treated to talks and demonstrations by recently crowned World Short Course 200m Breaststroke Champion Kris Gilchrist and World University Games team member Scott Houston.

 

Scottish Swimming’s Performance Director Ally Whike said,

 

“The Stroke Days have provided an excellent forum for swimmers and coaches to engage with one another and learn new technical aspects or confirm what they are already doing in their home programme is right.

 

“The enthusiasm and delivery provided by the lead coaches and guest swimmers was excellent and it was clear through the interaction taking place that swimmers and coaches made good use of the opportunity.”

 

The Lead coaches for the days were:

 

Eileen Adams – Scottish Swimming - NSA

Fred Vergnoux – City of Edinburgh Swimming - NSA

Ian Wright – Warrender Baths Club – East Kilbride

Ciaran O’Brien – Scottish Institute of Sport Assistant Coach – NSA

 

Full list of swimmers attending the camps:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Four Scots have been named in British Swimming’s thirty-six strong squad heading for the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games in September.

 

Jim Anderson, Sean Fraser, Andrew Lindsay and Mhairi Love’s selections were confirmed earlier today by the British Paralympic Association as was the selection of Charlotte Henshaw who is based at Stirling University.

 

For Jim Anderson (Broxburn/Stirling Swimming) it will be his fifth Paralympic Games while for Sean Fraser of Warrender Baths Club, this was his first selection and the 18 year old was clearly thrilled:

 

“I am so delighted to make the squad for Beijing.  I have been working towards this all season and I will now be targeting a podium finish at the Games. 

 

“I had good results at the two selection meets, achieving the qualifying time in the 100m backstroke, although the final decision was always in the hands of the selectors.”

 

The British Swimming Disability Coach, Anthony Stickland who is based at Stirling, said,

 

“It has been a long four years and a lot of hard work has been put in since Athens.

 

“To qualify is just the first step; to compete at this level on the biggest international stage; well the hard work really begins now and will continue for the next 20 weeks. 

 

“These swimmers work incredibly hard and are put through their paces day in, day out, and I am sure, like me, they would wish to thank the Scottish Institute and Area Institutes of Sport for their help with performance focused physiotherapy, the University of Stirling for athlete scholarships and the systems and programmes in place at British Swimming.  This is a real team effort.”

 

The Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games opens on September 6^th and closes on September 17^th. The swimming events at the Games take place at the National Aquatics Centre, also known as the Water Cube, from 7^th to 15^th September.

 

The swimming squad nominated to the BPA comprises:

 

 

For further information about ParalympicsGB, please contact Sian Davies in the Press Office on 0207 211 5240 or 07721 892686 or by email at sian.davies@paralympics.org.uk. For news updates visit the BPA website at www.paralympics.org.uk

 

N.B ParalympicsGB is the trading name of the British Paralympic Association.

 

The April edition of SplashNews Online is now available to view and/or download from the Scottish Swimming website, or by following the link below:

 

http://www.scottishswimming.com/downloads.aspx?cat=SplashNews%20Online  

 

Thanks to everyone who sent in articles and photographs for use in this edition.

 

If you would like to contribute an article please send the copy to Kirsten Baker, Marketing & Communications Manager at Scottish Swimming.  (k.baker@scottishswimming.com)

 

Details on article deadlines and publication dates can be found on the back page of the document.

 

Seven young Scots have been selected to compete for Team GB at the European Junior Championships in Serbia and the Worth Youth Championships in Mexico in July.

 

Having achieved the consideration times at the recent British Championships/Olympic Trials the following athletes were confirmed today;

 

 

Scottish Swimming National Squad Team Manager, Derna Campbell, has also been selected as assistant Lead Manager for the European Junior Championships.

 

The teams will be led by Head Coach Dave Champion (Ipswich) who will be looking for Britain's talented young swimmers to continue the impressive form shown in qualifying for the events.

 

"Both of these exciting squads offer a combination of swimmers on a British squad for the first time as well as those who have a little more experience," said Champion.

 

"As with any meet we will definitely be looking to improve on results gained at previous championships and for the swimmers to enjoy representing their country.

 

"The athletes were selected from what was the best trials we have ever had and the results at the British Championships and the World Short Course will give these guys confidence. I am sure they will want to play their part in the resurgence in British Swimming that we are seeing."

 

Champion believes opportunities athletes face to compete on the international this summer will have enormous benefits for the youngsters as they continue to develop as future Olympians.

 

"We want them to be excited about what they are doing as the junior swimmers of today are the senior swimmers of the future.

 

"By offering this kind of international experience and exposing these young but talented athletes to competition at the highest level, we're preparing them for the London 2012 Olympics and beyond."

 

Scottish Swimming’s Performance Director, Ally Whike, also commented,

 

“I am delighted for the swimmers and their coaches on their excellent achievement at being selected to Team GB for these events. 

 

“This shows the depth in Scottish swimming continues to progress.  The next challenge for these swimmers will be to perform at the top of their game at these Championships and I look forward to seeing how they get on, on the European and World Stages.”

 

-ends-

 

The FINA World Youth Swimming Championships take place in Monterrey, Mexico from 8th to 13th July 2008.

 

The LEN European Junior Swimming Championships take place in Belgrade, Serbia from 30th July to 3rd August 2008.

 

For further information please contact Kirsten Baker, Marketing & Communications Manager, Scottish Swimming on 07730 661788 or by email: k.baker@scottishswimming.com

 

Scottish Swimming welcomes the appointment of John Scott to the role of Chief Executive for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

 

Scott will lead the Organising Company, the body responsible for delivering the Commonwealth Games. Currently the International Director and Director of Drug Free Sport at UK Sport, he has over 30 years of experience in domestic and international sport, including major events.

 

Scottish Swimming look sforward to working with Scott and his team in supporting the Aquatics programme for 2014. 

 

Speaking in Glasgow Mr Scott said he was “delighted at the opportunity to deliver the Games for Glasgow and Scotland.

 

“I’m passionate about sport and this is certainly the most exciting opportunity of my career. I’m determined that in 2014 the thousands of athletes, officials, spectators and those watching at home will experience the best Commonwealth Games ever staged.

 

“The hard work begins now, building on the outstanding foundation provided by the Bid Team. Through these Games, the whole Commonwealth will see what an amazing place Scotland is. With world-class facilities and venues, world – class competition and a fantastic cultural offering we also want to showcase the very best of the city of Glasgow.

 

“I’m looking forward to working closely with the partners in the Games – the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland, the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and the Commonwealth Games Federation - to make sure that we leave a strong and lasting sporting, social and economic legacy for the next generation in Scotland and throughout the Commonwealth.”

 

Among Mr Scott’s wide-ranging responsibilities as chief executive include delivering the sports programme, monitoring the development of new and improved infrastructure, managing the staff of the OC which will rise to several hundred people by 2014, and recruiting and training the 15,000 volunteers needed for the Games.

 

For further information please follow the link to the Glasgow 2014 website, highlighted below:

 

http://www.glasgow2014.com/

Caitlin McClatchey claimed her third medal on the final day of the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m), Manchester 2008.

 

Scotland’s double Commonwealth Games gold medallist started the final of the 200m freestyle as the third fastest qualifier but appeared to struggle with the pace during the first half of the race, and was in sixth place at the 100m mark.

 

The Loughborough University student fought hard to come back at the World champion, Kylie Palmer of Australia, in the final 50m and then moved from fifth to third during the final length to claim a well deserved bronze medal in a time of 1:55.15.

 

Kylie Palmer hung on to claim gold in 1:54.41 and silver went to Femke Heemskerk of the Netherlands in 1:54.65.

Speaking to the BBC after the race, McClatchey said,

 

“I struggle with short course and I really got caught in the waves during that race.”

 

She continued, “I knew the other girls would go out quickly so I had to control my race and stick as close to them as possible.  I know I have a strong finish and could come back in the latter part of the race, which is what happened.

 

"I'm just so pleased to have won a medal.  As I’ve previously said, I am not a short-course swimmer, I much prefer long course so I didn't expect to do as well as I have done at this meet.”

Gregor Tait was third fastest going into the final of the men's 200m Backstroke.  The City of Edinburgh Swimmer looked strong at the start but found the world record pace hard going and fell behind the leaders.

 

Austria's Markus Rogan won the race setting a new world record time of 1:47.84.  Ryan Lochte of the US won silver in 1:47.91 while Stanislav Donets of Russia took the bronze medal in 1:50.45.

Tait finished in sixth place setting a new British Record of 1:51.66 and said after the race,

"I can't ask for anything else, a best time, British record and sixth in what's possibly the toughest final where 2 guys smashed the world record."

 

Earlier in the day, Tait’s Edinburgh team mate Kirsty Balfour just missed out on a place in the 200m breaststroke final, finishing the heats 9^th overall in a time of 2:24.83.  Kerry Buchan of South Aberdeenshire finished thirteenth in 2:26.94,

 

Kris Gilchrist was also in action earlier helping Team GB’s 4x100m Medley Relay squad  get through to the finals, where they finished fifth overall.

 

The FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) Manchester 2008, took place at the Manchester Evening News Arena from 9^th – 13^th April 2008.

 

For further information please contact Kirsten Baker, Marketing & Communications Manager at Scottish Swimming, on 07730 661788 or by email, k.baker@scottishswimming.com

 

The Scottish swimmers competing as part of Team GB for the event are:

 

Kirsty Balfour (City of Edinburgh Swimming)

Kerry Buchan (South Aberdeenshire Swimming)

Hannah Miley (Garioch)

Caitlin McClatchey (Loughborough University)

David Carry (City of Aberdeen Swim Team)

Euan Dale (Loughborough University)                

Kris Gilchrist (City of Edinburgh Swimming)

Andrew Hunter (Stirling Swimming)

Robbie Renwick (City of Aberdeen Swim Team)

Gregor Tait (City of Edinburgh Swimming)

 

The Scottish National Age Groups Championships concluded today at Tollcross Park Leisure Centre in Glasgow where Warrender Baths Club retained the top club title for an impressive fourth year in a row.

 

The Edinburgh club finished on a high claiming golds in the final two events, the girls senior 400m freestyle relay and the boys senior 400m medley relay, the latter of which went right down to the touch.  Warrender held off a late challenge from Dunedin to finish in 4:02.69, while Dunedin just missed out finishing in 4:02.99.  The squad from Ren 96 picked up bronze in 4:07.75.

 

Speaking after the cup presentation Head Coach of Warrender, Ian Wright, was very satisfied with his squad’s performance, he said,

 

“I am delighted with how the whole team have performed.  The Club Championship title was not won by one or two individuals; the whole team contributed to securing valuable points.

 

“Our initial study of the statistics highlights that more of our swimmers have made it into finals this year compared with last year and this shows real progress.

 

“Some of the squad competed in Sheffield last week so racing this week has been both mentally and physically challenging with long days, especially for those athletes taking part in morning, afternoon and evening sessions.

 

“But we see this as a learning opportunity for them and helps show them the importance of swimming down properly to help recovery, as well as eating the right type of food, before having to get back into the pool an hour or so later to race again.

 

“For others it’s a bit more of a strategic process, doing just enough to get through the heat and into the final.  We have to see where their limits are.”

 

Speaking about individuals who have impressed him, Wright continued,

 

“There have been a lot of impressive performances; it’s difficult to select just one or two.  Among others, Craig Benson has impressed me breaking the British Age Group record in the 100m breaststroke.  Craig has been swimming a range of events here and has shown great strength and progress in them all.

 

“It’s also good to see Sally Wood come back to form.  She suffered from a stress fracture of the back last year so didn’t train throughout the autumn and winter months.  She only started back training with us in February/March this year, so I have been very impressed with what she has achieved here.

 

“Ewan Johnston continues to swim well off the back of the Trials in Sheffield and I think that Craig McNally is an exciting prospect for the future. 

 

“There are lots of others in the squad I could mention, all the team have been very supportive of each other and have contributed to the overall success of the squad.”

 

Lucy Ellis also demonstrated why she is up for consideration for the European Junior Swimming Championships by powering to victory in the 15 years 100m butterfly final. 

 

The swimmer from Dunedin took almost three seconds off the existing age group record finishing in a time of 1:02.26.  Silver went to Laura Dawson from City of Newcastle (1:04.18) while the bronze medal went to another European Junior hopeful, Eloise Barber of Carnegie in 1:05.54.

 

Douglas Scott (South Lanarkshire) won best performance by a boy under 16 years for his swim in the 200m breaststroke, while City of Edinburgh’s Robyn Matthews picked up the best performance by a girl under 16 years for her performance in the 200m freestyle.

 

The Scottish National Age Groups Championships took place at Tollcross Park Leisure Centre in Glasgow from 10^th – 13^th April 2008.

 

For additional information please contact Kirsten Baker, Marketing & Communications Manager, Scottish Swimming on 07730 661788 or by email: k.baker@scottishswimming.com

 

Full list of finals results from Day 4:

 

1.  Mollie Vincent (Portsmouth Northsea) 5:06.21

2.  Emily Jones (Garioch) 5:19.53

3.  Kirstin McKinley (City of Glasgow Swim Team) 5:25.42

Scottish National Age Group Champion: Emily Jones (Garioch)

 

1.  Sara Hamilton (South Aberdeenshire) 5:10.43

2.  Eliza Bailey (Portsmouth Northsea) 5:16.06

3.  Georgina McManus (Northampton) 5:19.72

 

Girls 14 years 400m IM

1.  Kirsty Harkness (Portsmouth Northsea) 5:09.48

2.  Blaine Small (Carnegie) 5:11.66

3.  Rachel Tedeschi (City of Glasgow Swim Team) 5:11.78

 

1.  Eloise Barber (Carnegie) 5:06.37

2.  Lucy Gordon (City of Newcastle) 5:06.77

3.  Sarah Kelly (Tayside) 5:11.86

 

1.  Sally Wood (Warrender Baths Club) 4:58.97

2.  Rosie Hood (Warrender Baths Club) 5:08.69

3.  Helen McRoberts (Warrender Baths Club) 5:12.51

 

1.  Liam Small (Portsmouth Northsea) 9:31.17

2.  Zak Dawson (Newburn) 9:46.04

3.  David Colley (City of Glasgow Swim Team) 9:57.13

Scottish National Age Group Champion: David Colley

 

1.  David Morgan (Ren 96) 9:09.25*

2.  Mark Deans (City of Glasgow Swim Team) 9:14.15

3.  Callum Baxter (North Lanarkshire) 9:18.14

* New Scottish National Age Group Record (13 years)

 

1.  Daniel Johnson (Middlesbrough) 8:50.35

2.  Connor Wilson (Heart of Midlothian) 9:00.40

3.  Jamie McKinley (City of Glasgow Swim Team) 9:01.86

Scottish National Age Group Champion: Connor Wilson

 

1.  Lewis Dyson (Borough of Kirklees) 8:42.26

2.  Glenn McIntosh (City of Glasgow Swim Team) 8:44.18

3.  Alastair Turner (Ren 96) 8:52.76

Scottish National Age Group Champion: Glenn McIntosh

 

1.  Ewan Johnston (Warrender Baths Club) 8;25.70

2.  Ross Douglas (Stirling) 8:28.54

3.  Alistair Brown (Dunedin Swim Team) 8:30.00

                          

 

1.  Leigh Thompson (Tynedale) 1:08.50

2.  Mollie Vincent (Portsmouth Northsea) 1:08.80

3.  Samantha King (North Ayrshire) 1:09.53*

Scottish National Age Group Champion: Samantha King

*New Scottish National Age Group Record (11 years)

 

1.  Sara Hamilton (South Aberdeenshire) 1:07.04

2.  Amy Fraser (Galashiels) 1:07.81

3.  Claudia Murphy (Portsmouth Northsea) 1:08.94

 

Girls 14 years 100m Butterfly

1.  Alice Tennant (Deben) 1:07.15

2.  Kirsty Harkness (Portsmouth Northsea) 1:07.23

3.  Blaine Small (Carnegie) 1:07.26

 

1.  Lucy Ellis (Dunedin Swim Team) 1:02.26*

2.  Laura Dawson (City of Newcastle) 1:04.18

3.  Eloise Barber (Carnegie) 1:05.54

*New Scottish National Age Group Record (14 years)

 

1.  Kirsty Hart (Ren 96) 1:05.18

2.  Cheryl Bond (City of Glasgow Swim Team) 1:05.84

3.  Sally Wood (Warrender Baths Club) 1:06.82

 

 

1.  Lee Emmerson (Dumfries) 2:08.36*

2.  Mark Szaranek (Carnegie) 2:08.60

3.  Oliver Bitowt (Warrender Baths Club) 2:09.47

*New Scottish National Age Group Record (12 years)

1.  Charles Bitowt (Warrender Baths Club) 2:04.31

2.  James Yule (South Aberdeenshire) 2:05.26

3.  Callum Baxter (North Lanarkshire) 2:07.99

Scottish National Age Group Champion: James Yule

 

1.  Stephen Crichton (Ren 96) 1:59.59

2.  Daniel Johnson (Middlesbrough) 1:59.95

3.  Jamie Coulter (West Lothian) 2:01.52

 

1.  Jamie Wilmshurst (Tayside) 1:59.62

2.  Alastair Turner (Ren 96) 2:00.02

3.  Johnstone Shearer (City of Glasgow Swim Team) 2:00.06

 

1.  Jonathan Greig (Stirling) 1:52.77

2.  Richard Schafers (Stirling) 1:55.00

3.  Ross Douglas (Stirling) 1:55.29

 

1.  Mollie Vincent (Portsmouth Northsea) 2:28.44

2.  Claire Wilson (Stirling) 2:33.82

3.  Rebecca Whaling (Kingston Upon Hull) 2:34.10

Scottish National Age Group Champion: Claire Wilson

 

1.  Sara Hamilton (South Aberdeenshire) 2:26.59

2.  Flora Hanson (Harpenden) 2:26.95

3.  Stephanie Winser (Portsmouth Northsea) 2:29.05

 

1.  Jennifer Dobson (Warrender Baths Club) 2:23.31

2.  Ailsa Hershaw (Carnegie) 2:25.77

3.  Kate Williams (Billingham) 2:26.87

Girls 15 years 200m Backstroke

1.  Katie Bell (Cockermouth) 2:22.25

2.  Stephanie Hanley (Stirling) 2:24.47

3.  Sarah Kelly (Tayside) 2:25.10

 

1.  Katy Venters (Borough of Kirklees) 2:20.33

2.  Kirsty Hart (Ren 96) 2:20.52

3.  Rosie Hood (Warrender Baths Club) 2:20.93

 

1.  Oliver Bitowt (Warrender Baths Club) 2:49.48

2.  Lee Emmerson (Dumfries) 2:49.83

3.  Zak Dawson (Newburn) 2:49.91

Scottish National Age Group Champion: Lee Emmerson

 

1.  Craig Benson (Warrender Baths Club) 2:32.50

2.  James Yule (South Aberdeenshire) 2:38.34

3.  Michael Gallagher (South Aberdeenshire) 2:45.35

 

1.  Sam George (South Aberdeenshire) 2:31.34

2.  Dan Wallace (Duns) 2:31.90

3.  Joe Lipworth (Tayside) 2:33.41

 

1.  Steven Swinglehurst (Carlisle WP) 2:37.94

2.  Ryan Clifford (Cockermouth) 2:40.56

3.  Alasdair Holden (Harrogate) 2:43.12

Scottish National Age Group Champion:  Alasdair Holden

 

1.  Douglas Scott (South Lanarkshire) 2:21.32

2.  Iain Scanlon (Dunedin) 2:23.42

3.  Jordan Taylor (Unattached) 2:30.22

 

 

1.  Portsmouth Northsea 4:20.05

2.  Garioch 4:20.63

3.  South Aberdeenshire 4:25.88

Scottish National Age Group Champions: Garioch

 

1.  Warrender Baths Club 4:01.04

2.  Carnegie 4:04.33

3.  Dunedin 4:07.36

 

 

1.  South Aberdeenshire 4:26.64

2.  Warrender Baths Club 4:28.33

3.  City of Aberdeen Swim Team 4:34.75

 

1.  Warrender Baths Club 4:02.69

2.  Dunedin 4:02.99

3.  Ren 96 4:07.75

 

1.  WARRENDER BATHS CLUB (1159 points)

2.  Portsmouth Northsea (751 points)

3.  City of Glasgow Swim Team (693 points)

4.  South Aberdeenshire (556 points)

5.  Ren 96 (486 points)

 

 

Hannah Miley clinched another medal on the penultimate day of the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m), Manchester 2008.

 

The 18-year old from Garioch was second fastest going into the final but suffered from a poor start to find herself in 7th position after 50m.

 

It was during the backstroke leg that the young swimmer demonstrated her strength of character and began to move up the field and into third place.  Despite a strong fight back in the freestyle leg, Miley had to settle for bronze, finishing in a time of 2:08.79 and in doing so  she broke the existing British Record which had stood for over 11 years.

 

Kirsty Coventry from Zimbabwe claimed the title breaking yet another world record with a time of 2:06.13.  Silver went to Spain’s Mirela Belmonte in 2:07.47, a new European Record.

 

Speaking after the race Miley said,

 

"Another medal is just phenomenal. 

 

“The 200m is quite challenging for me.  For the longer 400m I go out at a pace and hold it but this is something else. It's such a fast race and to lower another record is pleasing. The 200m will help my 400m and Kirsty has been an absolute inspiration to me.”

 

When asked about her various nicknames adopted by the media, Miley laughed:

 

“The ‘Pocket Rocket’ one is a bit obvious because of my height, but I’ve had my ‘Smiley Miley’ name for a while as I guess I do tend to smile a lot of the time!”

 

Caitlin McClatchy was also in action earlier tonight as part of the Women’s 4x100m relay squad.

 

Scotland’s double Commonwealth Games gold medallist swam the second leg and helped team GB claim a deserved bronze medal.  The other members of the squad were birthday girl Fran Halsall, Julia Beckett and Mel Marshall.

 

McClatchey is back in action on the final day of competition, where she will compete in the 200m freestyle.  City of Edinburgh’s Kirsty Balfour and South Aberdeenshire’s Kerry Buchan will be looking for solid swims in the 200m breaststroke while Balfour’s team-mate Gregor Tait, will be in the medal hunt in the 200m backstroke.

 

The FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) Manchester 2008, are taking place at the Manchester Evening News Arena from 9^th – 13^th April 2008.

 

For further information please contact Kirsten Baker, Marketing & Communications Manager at Scottish Swimming, on 07730 661788 or by email, k.baker@scottishswimming.com

 

The Scottish swimmers competing as part of Team GB for the event are:

 

Kirsty Balfour (City of Edinburgh Swimming)

Kerry Buchan (South Aberdeenshire Swimming)

Hannah Miley (Garioch)

Caitlin McClatchey (Loughborough University)

David Carry (City of Aberdeen Swim Team)

Euan Dale (Loughborough University)                

Kris Gilchrist (City of Edinburgh Swimming)

Andrew Hunter (Stirling Swimming)

Robbie Renwick (City of Aberdeen Swim Team)

Gregor Tait (City of Edinburgh Swimming)

 

 

 

 

The Scottish National Age Groups Championships continued today at Tollcross Park Leisure Centre in Glasgow where Lee Emmerson of Dumfries broke another three age group records. 

 

Emmerson broke the 12 years age group records in the 400m freestyle, 100m backstroke and 200m IM taking his age group record tally to five.

 

Kirsty Hart (Ren 96) stormed to victory in the girls 16-18 years 200m butterfly final.  The 17 year old took an early lead which she extended over the course of the race, eventually winning about three body lengths ahead of her nearest rival.

 

Hart took the title in a time of 2:18.69 with silver going to Cheryl Bond (City of Glasgow) in 2:23.44).  Nicola Shand from City of Aberdeen took bronze in 2:27.12.

 

After the race, head coach of Ren 96, Sandy Blackwood, commented:

 

“Kirsty had an excellent set of swims at the long course (Olympic) trials.  The aim was to build on these performances and turn them into medals here at the Scottish Age Group Championships.

 

“She has achieved this with her 200m fly this evening and the 100m back on day one of the event, where she produced an excellent start and underwater phase.  These results will boost her confidence and will set her in good stead for the British Nationals in July.”

 

Speaking about his team in general, Blackwood concluded,

 

“Ren 96 have had an extremely strong first couple of days at the Nationals and hopefully we will continue to perform well during the remainder of the event.” 

 

Other performances of note included Ewan Johnston’s victory in the boys 16-18 years 200m IM. 

 

The 18-year old from Warrender Baths Club timed his race to perfection taking the lead during the breaststroke leg.  He then appeared to step up a gear and moved away from his nearest rivals to take the title in a time of 2:08.35.  Iain Scanlon of Dunedin Swim Team snatched silver in 2:10.03, ahead of Glenrothes’ Daniel Scott who had to settle for silver in 2:10.45.

 

The Scottish National Age Groups Championships take place at Tollcross Park Leisure Centre in Glasgow from 10^th – 13^th April 2008.

 

For additional information please contact Kirsten Baker, Marketing & Communications Manager, Scottish Swimming on 07730 661788 or by email: k.baker@scottishswimming.com

 

Full list of finals results from Day 3:

 

1.  Lee Emmerson (Dumfries) 4:28.56*

2.  Oliver Bitowt (Warrender Baths Club) 4:31.17

3.  Mark Szaranek (Carnegie) 4:38.67

8.  David Colley (City of Glasgow Swim Team) 4:53.00**

* New Scottish National Age Group Record (12 years)

** New Scottish National Age Group Record (11 years)

 

1.  Charles Bitowt (Warrender Baths Club) 4:21.56

2.  James Yule (South Aberdeenshire) 4:23.57

3.  Callum Baxter (North Lanarkshire) 4:28.23

Scottish National Age Group Chamipon: James Yule (South Aberdeenshire)

 

1.  Jamie Coulter (West Lothian) 4:13.26*

2.  Daniel Johnson (Middlesboro) 4:13.38

3.  Stephen Crichton (Ren 96) 4:20.68

* New Scottish National Age Group Record (14 years)

 

1.  Lewis Dyson (Borough of Kirklees) 4:13.86

2.  Alastair Turner (Ren 96) 4:14.96

3.  Glenn McIntosh (City of Glasgow Swim Team) 4:19.22

Scottish National Age Group Champion: Alastair Turner (Ren 96)

 

1.  Jonathan Greig (Stirling) 4:03.00

2.  Alistair Brown (Dunedin Swim Team) 4:06.95

3.  Ross Douglas (Stirling) 4:07.28

                          

 

1.  Emily Jones (Garioch) 18:34.94

2.  Cara Tosh (City of Glasgow Swim Team) 19:04.91

3.  Ailsa Small (Warrender Baths Club) 19:36.85

 

1.  Georgina McManus (Northampton) 17:59.52*

2.  Leanna Marshall (North Lanarkshire) 18:30.40

3.  Pamela Beck (South Aberdeenshire) 18:23.29

* New Scottish National Age Group Record (13 years)

 

Girls 14 years 1500m Freestyle

1.  Rachel Tedeschi (City of Glasgow Swim Team) 17:57.65

2.  Elizabeth Hughes (City of Aberdeen Swim Team) 18:03.56

3.  Megan Donnelly (City of Glasgow Swim Team) 18:28.74

 

1.  Rebecca Green (Borough of Kirklees) 18:03.52

2.  Sarah Kelly (Tayside) 18:10.94

3.  Marnie Stewart (Warrender Baths Club) 18:10.94

Scottish National Age Group Champion: Sarah Kelly (Tayside)

 

1.  Holly Ross (West Lothian) 17:57.33

2.  Emma Reid (Milngavie & Bearsden) 18:14.14

3.  Cara Purdie (City of Glasgow Swim Team) 18:25.10

 

 

1.  Oliver Bitowt (Warrender Baths Club) 1:17.65

2.  Zak Dawson (Newburn) 1:18.40

3.  Jordan Coia (Forres) 1:19.59

 

1.  Craig Benson (Warrender Baths Club) 1:08.33*

2.  James Yule (South Aberdeenshire) 1:11.58

3.  Greig Rennie (Garioch) 1:16.38

* New British Age Group Record (13 years)

 

1.  Sam George (South Aberdeenshire) 1:09.41

2.  Joe Lipworth (Tayside) 1:11.88

3.  Chris Kerr (Midlothian) 1:12.24

 

1.  Alasdair Holden (Harrogate District) 1:11.36

2.  Ryan Clifford (Cockermouth) 1:13.43

3.  James Garland (Newburn) 1:13.83

 

1.  Douglas Scott (South Lanarkshire) 1:05.65

2.  Iain Scanlon (Dunedin Swim Team) 1:06.98

3.  Jordan Taylor (Unattached) 1;07.99

 

 

1.  Emily Jones (Garioch) 1:03.38

2.  Samantha King (North Ayrshire) 1:03.73*

3.  Lauren Averell (Milngavie & Bearsden) 1:03.78

* New Scottish National Age Group Record (11 years)

 

1.  Sara Hamilton (South Aberdeenshire) 58.84

2.  Amy Fraser (Galashiels) 1:01.75

3.  Ellie Stephenson (Middlesbrough) 1:02.15

 

Girls 14 years 100m Freestyle

1.  Stephanie Blakeburn (Billingham) 59.79

2.  Yasmin Khera (Warrender Baths Club) 1:00.20

3.  Alice Tennant (Deben) 1:0.01

Scottish National Age Group Champion: Yasmin Khera (Warrender)

 

1.  Lucy Ellis (Dunedin Swim Team) 58.44

2.  Sarah Eaglesham (City of Chester) 59.13

3.  Eloise Barber (Carnegie) 59.58

 

1.  Robyn Matthews (City of Edinburgh Swimming) 58.21*

2.  Megan Gilchrist (City of Edinburgh Swimming) 58.24

3.  Sally Wood (Warrender Baths Club) 1:00.00

* New Scottish National Age Group Record (16 years)

 

 

1.  Lee Emmerson (Dumfries) 1:06.74*

2.  Oliver Bitowt (Warrender Baths Club) 1:06.87

3.  Mark Szaranek (Carnegie) 1:09.34

5.  Craig Bowman (Carnegie) 1:10.57**

* New Scottish National Age Group Record (12 ears)

** New Scottish National Age Group Record (11 years)

 

1.  Andrew Burn (City of Newcastle) 1:05.98

2.  Stephen Milne (Tayside) 1:07.08

3.  David Morgan (Ren 96) 1:08.19

Scottish National Age Group Champion: Stephen Milne (Tayside)

 

1.  Andrew Arthur (Milngavie & Bearsden) 1:01.91*

2.  Joe Lipworth (Tayside) 1:03.95

3.  Zach Courtney (Dunedin Swim Team) 1:04.42

* New Scottish National Age Group Record (14 years)

 

1.  Craig McNally (Warrender Baths Club) 1:01.67

2.  Ryan Archibald (Warrender Baths Club) 1:03.67

3.  Steven Swinglehurst (Carlisle WP) 1:03.71

 

1.  Daniel Scott (Glenrothes) 59.10

2.  Andrew Donaldson (Ren 96) 59.21

3.  Callum Shaw (Warrender Baths Club) 1:00.77

 

1.  Mollie Vincent (Portsmouth Northsea) 2:28.19

2.  Kirstin McKinley (City of Glasgow Swim Team) 2:34.71

3.  Zoe Kirkwood (City of Newcastle) 2:35.82

4.  Samantha King (North Ayrshire) 2:36.87*

Scottish National Age Group Champion: Kirstin McKinley

* New Scottish National Age Group Record (11 years)

 

1.  Claudia Murphy (Portsmouth Northsea) 2:28.59

2.  Amy Fraser (Galashiels) 2:29.40

3.  Pamela Beck (South Aberdeenshire) 2:29.98

Scottish National Age Group Champion: Amy Fraser

 

1.  Kirsty Harkness (Portsmouth Northsea) 2:21.11

2.  Stephanie Blakeburn (Billingham) 2;25.00

3.  Elizabeth Hughes (City of Aberdeen Swim Team) 2:25.63

Girls 15 years 200m Butterfly

1.  Laura Dawson (City of Newcastle) 2:24.30

2.  Holly Scott (Borough of Kirklees) 2:24.57

3.  Amy Coats (City of Glasgow Swim Team) 2:26.44

 

1.  Kirsty Hart (Ren 96) 2:18.69

2.  Cheryl Bond (City of Glasgow Swim Team) 2:23.44

3.  Nicola Shand (City of Aberdeen Swim Team) 2:27.12

 

 

1.  Lee Emmerson (Dumfries) 2:25.12*

2.  Zak Dawson (Newburn) 2:27.15

3.  Oliver Bitowt (Warrender Baths Club) 2:27.42

* New Scottish National Age Group Record (12 years)

 

1.  Craig Benson (Warrender Baths Club) 2:18.36

2.  James Yule (South Aberdeenshire) 2:21.07

3.  David Morgan (Ren 96) 2:23.21

 

1.  Daniel Johnson (Middlesbrough) 2:16.31

2.  Dan Wallace (Duns) 2:18.34

3.  Jamie Coulter (West Lothian) 2:19.40

Scottish National Age Group Champion: Dan Wallace

 

1.  Lewis Dyson (Borough of Kirklees) 2:16.83

2.  Craig McNally (Warrender Baths Club) 2:17.41

3.  Callum Moorse (Portsmouth Northsea) 2:18.09

Scottish National Age Group Champion: Craig McNally

 

1.  Ewan Johnston (Warrender Baths Club) 2:08.35

2.  Iain Scanlon (Dunedin Swim Team) 2:10.03

3.  Daniel Scott (Glenrothes) 2:10.45

 

 

1.  Portsmouth Northsea 9:08.75

2.  Garioch 9:23.49

3.  City of Glasgow Swim Team 9:25.53

Scottish National Age Group Champions: Garioch

 

1.  Warrender Baths Club 8:45.10

2.  Carnegie 8:46.93

3.  Stirling Swimming 8:57.56

Scotland’s Kris Gilchrist powered his way to gold on Day 3 of the 9^th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m), Manchester 2008.

 

Timing his race to perfection, City of Edinburgh’s Gilchrist turned in the lead at the 100m mark and eased away from nearest rival Igor Borysik of Ukraine.  Borysik came back during the last 15 metres and the two athletes were shoulder to shoulder coming into the wall.

 

There was a sharp in take of breath from the crowd, which quickly turned to loud cheers when the scoreboard showed that Gilchrist had indeed held on to take his first World title in a time of 2:06.18.  Borysik took silver in 2:06.21 while bronze going to William Diering of South Africa.

 

Speaking to the BBC after the race, Gilchrist was clearly delighted, he said,

 

“That didn’t really pan out how I was expecting it to.  I was expecting the Ukrainian guy (Borysik) to go out a lot faster, like he did when he won the 100m yesterday.

 

Commenting on the crowd and how close the race was, he said,

 

“I could tell from the crowds’ reaction that he was catching up with me during the last 25m.  I heard a big ‘ooohhh’ when I touched the wall and I thought I’d blown it, but then I heard the crowd go mad and only then did I know the result.

 

When asked about his coach Gilchrist continued:

 

“We’ve been doing loads of land work, especially core body work, which helps us streamline our body position in the water.

 

“It’s great working with Fred (Vergnoux) he really mixes it up a lot and keeps the training interesting.”

 

Robbie Renwick (City of Aberdeen) enjoyed yet more medal success this evening, winning bronze in the 400m freestyle final.  The 19 year old made his move at the half way mark and by the end of the race was battling for silver.

 

Yuriy Prilukov of Russia took the title for the third successive Championship in a time of 3:37.35.  The race for silver was between Massimiliano Rosolino (Italy), Renwick and David Carry (City of Aberdeen Swim Team).  In the end the Italian got it on the touch, taking second place in 3:39.60, while Renwick got bronze in 3:40.22.  Renwick’s time also secured a new British Record, taking over the time set by Paul Palmer over eight years ago.

 

Speaking with the BBC after the race, Renwick said:

 

“If you had told me a week ago that I would win the World Championship bronze medal, there is no way I would have believed you.”,

 

When asked about his coach Renwick said

 

“She (Eileen Adams) has coached me for around six years and she knows me better than anyone.  We have a close relationship.

 

“Half the time I may not believe everything that she says, but I do try and listen to her and take her advice as much as I can, she has put a great deal of faith in me.”

 

David Carry who came fourth in the race, was quick to echo Renwick’s sentiments.  He said,

 

“That wasn’t bad for a couple of lads from Aberdeen!  I have to agree with what Robbie says about Eileen and pay real tribute to her; she is an amazing person.”

 

Speaking about his own performance in the race, Carry said,

 

“I’m not known as a short course swimmer but that was good and will give me a great deal of confidence moving forward.”

 

Renwick and Carry were also part of the silver medal winning 4x200m freestyle squad from last night.  They were joined in the race by Andrew Hunter (Stirling Swimming) and Ross Davenport (Loughborough University).  As the lead off leg, Renwick broke the Scottish Record for the 200m freestyle handing over to Carry in 1:44.83.

 

Yesterday also saw Euan Dale (Loughborough University) finishing 5^th in the final of the 400m IM (4:06.97), Hannah Miley (Garioch) finishing 11^th in the 100m IM and Caitlin McClatchey just pushed out of a place in the final of the 100m freestyle finishing 9^th after the semi finals in 53.90.

 

The FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) Manchester 2008, are taking place at the Manchester Evening News Arena from 9^th – 13^th April 2008.

 

For further information please contact Kirsten Baker, Marketing & Communications Manager at Scottish Swimming, on 07730 661788 or by email, k.baker@scottishswimming.com

 

The Scottish swimmers competing as part of Team GB for the event are:

 

Kirsty Balfour (City of Edinburgh Swimming)

Kerry Buchan (South Aberdeenshire Swimming)

Hannah Miley (Garioch)

Caitlin McClatchey (Loughborough University)

David Carry (City of Aberdeen Swim Team)

Euan Dale (Loughborough University)                

Kris Gilchrist (City of Edinburgh Swimming)

Andrew Hunter (Stirling Swimming)

Robbie Renwick (City of Aberdeen Swim Team)

Gregor Tait (City of Edinburgh Swimming)