There was an exciting battle for first place honours and fastest time of the day between Island Games swimmers Annalise Munro and Courtney Butcher in the 200m freestyle event of the Specsavers Series staged by the Beau Sejour Barracudas Swimming Club. With a time of 2.08.43 the title went to Annalise with Courtney, just a whisker away in 2.08.63.
Fastest of the day from the boys came from Will Mansell who touched in 2.03.08 in the 16 and over section.
In the youngest age group and competing in this event for the very first time were the 9 year olds. Gabrielle Wilcox looked strong as she took first place honours in a great time of 3.31.58. Oliver Graham took the boys title in a super time 3.32.65.
Maddy Russell continues to find her form in freestyle winning the 10 year age group in a time of 2.56.38 and improving on her entered time by over 16 seconds! Second and third placed swimmers Oriana Wheeler and Hannah Jones both recorded huge personal best times of 2.58.10 and 3.08.14 respectively.
The boy’s title went to Thierry Le Cheminant who improved on his entered time by over 15 seconds to touch in 2.57.39. There was a close tussle for second and third between Xander Graham and Rory McKenna who finished in 2.59.00 and 2.59.16 respectively.
John Welbourne and Ailish Rabey were the victors for the 11 year olds, John posting 2.43.80 – a lifetime best by over 11 seconds and Ailish a lifetime best of 2.37.29. Ailish looked set to take the age group record, held by Lotte Parfit, but faded slightly on the third 50m.
The 12/13 age group saw Sophie Wilcox a clear winner in 2.21.45. The boy’s title went to Tom Stapley in a personal best of 2.27.13.
The boys 14/15 title went to a gritty performance from Will Russell in a personal best of 2.11.13, Orla Rabey taking the girls title in 2.19.84.
There was an excellent turn out from the Barracuda Masters with Jo Baker, Jennifer Roussel, Marcus O’Neill, Tim Lowe and Nick Moss each winning their respective age groups.
The swimmer showing the greatest improvement on their entered time was Thomas Phillips in the 10 year age group who improved by over 28 seconds to record 3.29.74