Two Championship records were broken this week in the 50m backstroke event of the Beau Sejour Barracudas’ Specsavers Series.
First record to fall was the 12/13 years age group mark, set by Island Games swimmer Victoria Parfit in 2006. This was broken by a technically excellent performance from Sophie Wilcox who shaved .02 off the record to post a great new personal best of 34.28.
Courtney Butcher then went on to equal her own record of 30.82 in the 16 and over age group. This was also the fastest time of the day overall from the girls. Oliver Nightingale recorded the fastest time of the day for the men – 29.53.
The youngest age group (9 years) saw Lauren Varley and Oliver Graham take first place honours recording 48.03 and 50.35 respectively.
The 10 year old girls had a really close match with Hannah Jones emerging as the winner with a brilliant time of 41.21 ahead of Oriana Wheeler on 41.87. Xander Graham continues on his winning streak in backstroke for the boys touching in 44.33.
The 11 year olds titles went to John Welbourne and Pip Gallagher whilst Tom Stapley was the victor in the 12/13 age group.
Ella James, still at the bottom of the 14/15 age group was delighted to post the fastest time in her age group – 35.58, but only just, as she was closely followed by Indi Gallagher on 35.64 and Leah Langmead on 35.87. The boy’s title went to Will Russell in a lifetime best of 31.37.
25m/50m Butterfly
The sprint butterfly events of the Series saw Courtney Butcher yet again in record breaking form as she set a new time of 30.53. Luke Winberg looked very strong as he recorded fastest time of the day for the men in 28.84.
With the very youngest swimmers competing over just 25m, Gabriella Wilcox was a clear winner by over 5 seconds to win the 9 years age group in 23.50, with Oliver Graham, the boy’s winner in 27.25.
Oriana Wheeler and Xander Graham emerged as winners in the 10 year age group, with Ailish Raby and John Welbourne the 11 year old winners in 39.27 and 39.78.
Sophie Wilcox and Tom Stapley won the 12/13 year age group whilst Orla Rabey and Louis Tostevin won the 14/15 age group.
There was a great turn out from the Masters section in both the backstroke and butterfly which saw Ian Hubert, Tim Lowe, Jo Winberg and Richard Nash each win their respective categories in both events.