After what seemed like copious pre-meet warnings about the logistic challenges ahead, it was with some trepidation that a crew from Portland headed off to this meet. Would we be able to park? Would we get a seat? Would we even see our swimmer from the beginning to end of the day? Not only were none of the above a problem but this was a highly organised day where the ‘holding room’ sports hall – complete with live video and results feed – far from detracting from the atmosphere, contributed to the excitement and relieved the boredom and heatstroke for swimmers as well as supporters.
So, in this very civilised environment Jack, Mikey, Lizzie, Alice, Olivia (M), Jaime, Holly and Olivia (W) started their campaigns. Swims of the event came from Olivia Wright for both freestyle events, swum in times already close to next year’s county qualifying standard; Holly for a 13 second PB in the 200m freestyle; and Jack for a 100m backstroke time only 2 seconds away from a national qualifying time. Well done also swimmers for the following PBs: Jack (200m IM, 100m back,100 fly, 200 free, 200 fly); Holly (200m free, 200 back,); Alice (200m free; 100m breast, 50m free, 200m IM, 200m breast, 100m free); Olivia Wright (200m free, 100m free); Olivia Misiuda (100m breast, 100m free); Jaime (50m free, 100m free). It really says something about the levels of achievement our swimmers are reaching when the PB average is approximately 3.7 seconds!
This should definitely be one for the diary and, in the humble general opinion of those attending, the way forward for swimming events. Oh, do they already do this at the Olympics?
Thanks as ever to Grant for his usual vigil on poolside for the whole event, offering guidance and support.
