WATERFIELD STRUGGLES AFTER PROMISING START
Olympic silver medallist Pete Waterfield (Southampton Diving)
came back from illness to qualify for the final of the men's
10m platform and finished 10th.
The Southampton diver, who has been fighting an ear infection
through the week, gave a promising performance in the semi
final with a score of 462.90.
In the final Waterfield was beginning to find his form with
excellent scores in his first three dives and found himself
once again in the top six. But with a missed dive in the fifth
round he slipped down to 10th place, finishing with a total
score of 419.70.
Waterfield has also suffered the disappointment of his platform
synchro partner Leon Taylor (City of Sheffield) pulling out
of the championships with an unfortunate back injury. But
he is looking forward to the World Cup in Beijing next year,
where he is hopeful of a stronger performance.
"I am obviously disappointed with the final," said
Waterfield. "But our preparation has not been great both
in the UK and over here. I have also been suffering from a
thumb injury all year and so I was really happy to take part
in the event.
"It would have been great to have won a medal, but my
aim was to qualify Britain for the Olympics and I succeeded
in doing that. My training is now going well and I am beginning
to find my form, I am looking forward to the rest of my year
and obviously I have hopes of strong performances in the run
up to the Olympics."
"It has been a real disappointment for both me and Leon
missing the 10m platform synchro event, it is my favourite
event. But injuries never come at a good time and we have
both had some nasty ones in the past year. But with the World
Cup coming up in 2008 we will both be looking to qualify for
the Olympics and have some good training sessions together."
Elsewhere, Tandi Gerrard (City of Leeds) battled hard in
the women's 3m springboard semi final, but finished a disappointing
16th with a score of 272.00, and did not make the final. Gerrard
and her synchro partner Hayley Sage (City of Sheffield) will
be taking part in the 3m springboard synchro tomorrow.
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