Swimmers target a place on the British squad
Swimmers targeting a place on the British squad destined
for this summer's World Championships in Canada will be in
action this weekend as they continue their preparations.
Sheffield will play host to a large number of those aiming
to be in action in Montreal come July while the Speedo Grand
Challenge from Irvine, California in the U.S. will also see
a sizeable British contingent compete.
The meets follow an intensive period of training for the swimmers
as part of British Swimming's annual National Event Camps
where swimmers of specific strokes come together.
This weekend's events form Stage Two of British Swimming's
programme of preparation that began at the World Championship
Trials in March.
Stage One saw the best swimmers in the country go head-to-head
at a dual meet in Loughborough last month while Stage Three
in June will see swimmers trying for the final time to secure
World Championship qualifying standards.
The Stage meets enable athletes and coaches to ascertain the
development of the swimmer as they work towards their summer
goal. And stage Two will require swimmers to get within 3%
of their target time for the year so expectations this weekend
will be high.
Swimmers in Sheffield will compete on Saturday 28th and Sunday
29th May while the action in California takes place over three
days from Friday 27th May.
A squad of British swimmers will also head for competition
in Europe next week where they will contest three legs of
the Mare Nostrum tour.
Coach Graham Bassi will lead a team to the Barcelona, Canet
and Rome legs of the Mare Nostrum. In Barcelona they will
be joined by a squad lead by Coach Sean Kelly.
Swimmers competing in California are: James Batley (Millfield),
Steven Beckerleg (Plymouth Leander), Simon Burnett (Wycombe
District), David Carry (Loughborough University), James Clarke
(Millfield), Ross Davenport (University of Bath), James Gibson
(Loughborough University), Euan Dale (Millfield), Matt Edwards
(Loughborough University), Robin Francis (University of Bath),
Dean Milwain (City of Derby), Alex Scotcher (Loughborough
University), Liam Tancock (Loughborough University), Andrew
Thirlwell (City of Newcastle), Adam Whitehead (City of Coventry),
Kirsty Balfour (City of Edinburgh), Julia Beckett (Winchester),
Fran Halsall (City of Liverpool), Kate Haywood (Loughborough
University), Jo Jackson (Durham Aquatics), Karen Lee (Loughborough
University), Mel Marshall (Loughborough University), Caitlin
McClatchey (Northampton), Kate Richardson (Kingston upon Hull).
Swimmers taking part in the Barcelona Mare Nostrum are: Keri
Anne Payne (Stockport Metro), Terri Dunning (City of Birmingham),
James Goddard (Stockport Metro), Simon Birch (Stockport Metro),
Gregor Tait (City of Cardiff), Ross Hughes (Stirling), Arthur
Downing (City of Sheffield), Stephanie Proud (Chester le Street),
Hollie O`Connor (Kingston upon Hull), Matt Bowe (Loughborough
University), Stephen Mellor (Stockport Metro), Tom Haffield
(City of Cardiff), Mark Lewis (Lewisham), Joe Roebuck (Loughborough
University), David Davies (City of Cardiff), Chris Cook -
training (City of Newcastle), Lizzie Simmonds (Lincoln Vulcans),
Jess Dickons (Borough of Stockton), Jemma Lowe (Stockton),
Mark Foster (University of Bath), Darren Mew (University of
Bath).
Swimmers taking part in Canet Mare Nostrum are: Chris Cook
- training, Lizzie Simmonds, Jess Dickons, Jemma Lowe, James
Gibson, Darren Mew, Mark Foster.
Swimmers taking part in Rome Mare Nostrum are: Chris Cook
- training, Lizzie Simmonds, Jess Dickons, Jemma Lowe, James
Gibson.
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