ASA Youth & National Swimming Championships (50m) 2006

[Chris]

Day one has now finished. Any thoughts on the swims?

One stand out for me appears to be the 16-year-old Xavier MOHAMMED from Bexley ..... he looks a bit good! Fastest qualifier from the heats of the 200 I.M. this morning.

Chris

[Vicki]

Im becoming ridiculously addicted to the Live Pictures. I think its really good and has got a lot better since last weeks Age Groups – someones getting fancy with the camerawork!!

[NotVeryFast]

Why are they all wearing legskins rather than bodysuits? Is there a rule that they aren't allowed to wear bodysuits for some reason?

I have to say, I thought the standard was frighteningly high when I saw an 8:18 800 free in the very first heat, but we're onto heat 9 now and still nobody has gone faster.

[NotVeryFast]

Hmm, no, can't be a rule against bodysuits, just seen someone wearing one. Very odd, I'm convinced the bodysuits are faster, and most people in competitions such as the Euro LC seem to go for bodysuits, but not many people at the ASAs seem to be using them.

[aswim]

May this be because they are a tadd more expensive? Just a thought.

[NotVeryFast]

The legskins are pretty expensive, though, e.g. the Diana legskins in my size are £118 compared to £161 for the bodysuit. I suppose the 36% extra might make a big difference to some people, I always think that the legskins are so outrageously expensive that I might as well just pay the extra for the bodysuit.

[ringer]

Another innovation to report. Go to results page.

Live audio stream...brilliant.... but not synchronised with the live pictures (not complaining : you can't have everything)

[stinger]

Well done to Daniel Arnamnart from Australia who won the 100m open backstroke in 55.89! Amazing time though I must say I'm not suprised after training with him a few times last week at Crytal Palace, definately one of Australia's best youth swimmers!

[Chris]

Go Pongo (Ian Powell) .... fastest in the heats of the 200m Fly!

Tom Hollingsworth 9th as well .....

[mike_lamb]

I have to say, I thought the standard was frighteningly high when I saw an 8:18 800 free in the very first heat, but we're onto heat 9 now and still nobody has gone faster.

Thats because everyone who entered with a short course time swims before those who entered a long course time. It is becoming a pattern that there is a very fast time in one of the early heats.

[Steve]

Does anyone know what a "splash sensation" is - the ASA keep referring to it here (http://www.britishswimming.org/vsite/vcontent/content/transnews/0,10869,5026-142440-19728-28293-261127-9137-5014-layout73-159656-news-item,00.html). It might just be a turn of phrase they've adopted but does it have any other meaning?

I also like the way that the runner up in the 200IM "touched home less than a hundredth of a second behind" - surely that's a dead heat? ;)

[Linny]

I also like the way that the runner up in the 200IM "touched home less than a hundredth of a second behind" - surely that's a dead heat? ;)Not to mention the fact that it is a complete fib, as are some of the other "facts". :)

[Chris]

Bronze medal for Ian Powell in the 200 fly final last night. Well done mate.

Chris

[Silver Fox]

We had a brilliant time at the National Youth Championships but came away with a very very big disappointment!
Where were the photographers ?
We picked up a leaflet which said the following and I quote:-

SWIMMINGphotos.net
We are giving our photographers (and you !) a rest this year so we will not be covering this years championships at Ponds Forge.
All pictures from previous years can still be viewed and ordered on
www.swimmingphotos.net
We will be back next year with improved products and services

Do Swimmingphotos.net realise how many children and young people you have upset ?...there has always been photographers at the Nationals...to take photos of successes or maybe just of a photo of swimmers in their heat or final...many of the youngsters have lost the opportunity to obtain a picture of themselves at THE NATIONALS !

Shame on you Swimmingphotos.net....you say you will be back next year...so will we hopefully but let me tell you now...I will NOT be buying any of your products and I hope that there will be many more swimmers and parents that will do the same...you have let a great number of youngsters down by failing to turn up at The Nationals...

SHAME ON YOU SWIMMINGphotos.net

I hope that other disappointed/angry swimmers and/or parents/or even grandparents will send their views to:-

SWIMMINGphotos.net

[wendy]

7 non Brits in the womens open 50 free, that's ridiculous, it's our nationals give our girls a chance, well done to the three who made the final guaranteed a medal as long as you stay legal!
I thought it was our Nationals can we not have a 2 alien rule or something

[Phil Tanner]

Had a pretty miserable week. Daughter flopped, came down with virus, came home early. Yet again on fire at Easter and off the pace/unwell when it really matters. Back to the drawing board. Again.

Pete will be too modest to post it :) but Owen Morgan was absolutely brilliant in the 50 free, at least two and maybe three Welsh records.

Too many great youth swims to mention, but for me Xavier Mohammed and Georgia Davies stood out in particular. And among the overseas swimmers, Armandnart from Australia.

A few observations from a spectator's point of view. The youth competitors got their due from the commentary/announcing team, who were top notch. The scoreboard was used only minimally for video and kept for names and times, which is as it should be and a massive improvement on last year. The spectator stewarding was improved - you could pause for a few minutes at the end of the gallery without a "move along there".

Sheffield trams are a wonder of the 21st century. Mrs T and I stayed out in the sticks 15 minutes' drive beyond Hillsborough. 23-50 gets you park and ride for two people for a week and unlimited tram travel. You could even catch it one stop from Ponds Forge up to the nearest Wetherspoons.

[mike_lamb]

Now that the Youth Championships are over, does anyone have any feedback. What was good, what could be improved. As an official, I was there for every minute of every day. We have an opportunity to provide feedback direct to the organisers and who knows they may listen.

[ruthcp]

We had a brilliant time at the National Youth Championships but came away with a very very big disappointment!
Where were the photographers ?
We picked up a leaflet which said the following and I quote:-

SWIMMINGphotos.net
We are giving our photographers (and you !) a rest this year so we will not be covering this years championships at Ponds Forge.
All pictures from previous years can still be viewed and ordered on
www.swimmingphotos.net
We will be back next year with improved products and services

Do Swimmingphotos.net realise how many children and young people you have upset ?...there has always been photographers at the Nationals...to take photos of successes or maybe just of a photo of swimmers in their heat or final...many of the youngsters have lost the opportunity to obtain a picture of themselves at THE NATIONALS !

Shame on you Swimmingphotos.net....you say you will be back next year...so will we hopefully but let me tell you now...I will NOT be buying any of your products and I hope that there will be many more swimmers and parents that will do the same...you have let a great number of youngsters down by failing to turn up at The Nationals...

SHAME ON YOU SWIMMINGphotos.net

I hope that other disappointed/angry swimmers and/or parents/or even grandparents will send their views to:-

SWIMMINGphotos.net

I saw this too, and thought it very poor - I did wonder (in my cynical 'old' age!) if it was done so that more people would purchase the DVDs :rolleyes:
Anyway, I had my camera with me and took tons of photos. Cannot guarantee photos of everyone, but the ones I have from each day of the champs will be on my website later this week.

www.ruthsswimpics.com

(Hope this is ok Chris)

[Silver Fox]

Please see my complaint re.lack of photographers (above) but other than that we were extremely pleased with the organisation especially the ladies on the reception desk who went out of their way to assist...the comentators who were very good, clear and precise...heats and finals ran very smoothly...starters did very well...not many false starts...thanks a lot everyone...Laurie

[marrinermum]

mine had an awful week, just could'nt make the times. never mind, back to drawing board with coach come the end of august! sort of made up for it in the very, very last race tho.......... to everyones surprise, including the commentators!!

was'nt there but the innovations via the site were a godsend, esp the audio link, well done it was greatly appreciated for those who had to stay home. any feedback i'll post.

[Phil Tanner]

mine had an awful week, just could'nt make the times. never mind, back to drawing board with coach come the end of august!

Hey! We've got first use of the drawing board, you can have it when we've finshed with it! :)

Seriously, these things are setbacks but that's all. There were some stunning performances all week by young people who had come back from amputations. That's a real disaster, a bad meet is trivial in comparison.

[ruthcp]

Seriously, these things are setbacks but that's all. There were some stunning performances all week by young people who had come back from amputations. That's a real disaster, a bad meet is trivial in comparison.

I totally agree - it was such a great feeling to have been there and seen so many records tumble too, even a new world record set!!
Fabulous performances! :)

(PS It was nice to put a face to a name too!)

[RichardS]

Please see my complaint re.lack of photographers (above) but other than that we were extremely pleased with the organisation especially the ladies on the reception desk who went out of their way to assist...the comentators who were very good, clear and precise...heats and finals ran very smoothly...starters did very well...not many false starts...thanks a lot everyone...Laurie

Laurie, I had the honour of starting on one of the days, thanks for the positive comments. As with mike_lamb I officiated every day and it would be good to see some feedback on the forum regarding the program. Many of us felt that a number of sessions were too long and around day 4 you could certainly see a number of swimmers flagging. Combining Youths with ASA Long Course didn't seem to work, there was, overall, a poor representation from senior swimmers and we had many unnecessary semis with 10 or less swimmers in total, simply swimming for lane seeding in the final. I spoke to several swimmers who simply could not see the point of swimming an 'unnecessary' semi (especially in the 200 fly!). Do people think the Youths and Seniors should be combined in future or be run as separate events?

[chris_lamb]

We have an opportunity to provide feedback direct to the organisers and who knows they may listen.

Having heard comments from the organisers during the age group champs I can assure you that some of them do read these boards and are interested in what is said.

[ruthcp]

Laurie, I had the honour of starting on one of the days, thanks for the positive comments. As with mike_lamb I officiated every day and it would be good to see some feedback on the forum regarding the program. Many of us felt that a number of sessions were too long and around day 4 you could certainly see a number of swimmers flagging. Combining Youths with ASA Long Course didn't seem to work, there was, overall, a poor representation from senior swimmers and we had many unnecessary semis with 10 or less swimmers in total, simply swimming for lane seeding in the final. I spoke to several swimmers who simply could not see the point of swimming an 'unnecessary' semi (especially in the 200 fly!). Do people think the Youths and Seniors should be combined in future or be run as separate events?

Certainly the vast majority of swimmers in our club (plus coaches, parents!) thought that they should not be combined. The semis that did take place were not all full as you've stated, and it is a real shame that they had no semis for the 'age group' (and not just open) events, especially as these semis would undoubtedly have been full!
There was one particular day when events did seem to drag on and on - can't quite remember which though!!

[Phil Tanner]

That was the first day. From memory, it was well over five hours, with an hour's warm-up beforehand. That risks becoming a test of whose stamina can best stand waiting around in a pool atmsophere rather than of who can race best. All the more credit to the officials for running it so smoothly.

Having praised the EAD swimmers earlier in the thread, I probably risk a flaming for saying this but I'm not sure such a tight programme can carry 200-metre events for very low-number disability category swimmers.

Maybe the answer is to spread it over one more day, but I think the youth and ASA championships should be kept separate. Last year the youth event was swamped by the razzmatazz of the CG trials, this year the ASA event seemed like small beer compared with the youths.

[Gina]

Had a great meet at the end, but the beginning was a bit poo. I left the pool yesterday feeling like I was coming home from a school trip abroad. I didn't want to leave. My aim was to make 2 finals but I didn't expect to make the 100 back!!!

I'd like to thank a few coaches who looked after me when my very very busy coach couldn't be there. Dave Hobbs (and Laura too!), Laurie from Glouchester (sp?) and of cause Ty from Leander who recorded every single race (I think).

I'm off to training to show everyone my silver medal!

[Silver Fox]

To Richard S ...Separate please...give the youth the opportunity to shine on their own...but will the ASA listen to their request...I doubt it...but please do your best on behalf of the youth...cheers Laurie

[Steve]

To Richard S ...Separate please...give the youth the opportunity to shine on their own...but will the ASA listen to their request...I doubt it...but please do your best on behalf of the youth...cheers Laurie
Call me cynical, but they're not likely to separate them (which I think they should) when they can save on pool hire costs by having them at the same time :rolleyes:

[Linny]

Call me cynical, but they're not likely to separate them (which I think they should) when they can save on pool hire costs by having them at the same time :rolleyes:Why do you think they should? What would the benefits be and to who?

[swimbar]

As we have seen before on this forum nobody appears to consider the parents who are paying!!.
Given that a large percentage of our more able swimmers, particularly female, are youths their coaches would expect them to enter a National Long Course Championships, presumably in July, and then the Youth Championships in August!!. Six days at Sheffield costs enough without 3/4 days at Manchester as well.
The Youth/Long Course clearly needs further surgery but two meets is not the answer.

[wendy]

Separating definately would be better. Warm up at 7am for heats, very long session then back for warm up at 3.30, swim a final around 6pm and then hang around until 8.45 for a semi!!! You then have to swim down, dress and eat getting to bed at a daft time to repeat the whole process the next day.
Tough enough for the parents let alone the poor swimmers and coaches.

[Silver Fox]

We all know that Ponds Forge is a good venue but so is Manchester so why not alternate them...one year at Sheffield...the next at Manchester...food for thought...what do you think?

[Queen Bee]

Hi Swimbar

Just had a very interesting week at your 'Pond'.
More later but briefly considering the amount of time and money parents spend on their little darlings throughout the year it is a complete joke that British Swimming set up a six day meet at your hotel prices plus travelling costs and it seems very few of you get any financial help. A disgrace. If your nippers get the times you can hardly deny them their big moment. If British Swimming say too many to pay for then set the benchmark higher for National qual times - the number of heats in some events was nuts with all sorts of time overruns despite everyone doing their best. Some nippers in Youths and Open doing 3 swims one day and a final the next just in one event. Stupid. Of course Youth and Open should be different meets and parents of the best swimmers should get funding to attend both. Oh and running Open and Europeans at same time????? So virtually no press on TV coverage. Not that difficult to get that one right. Not saying we get it all right in Oz but really.

Queen Bee


As we have seen before on this forum nobody appears to consider the parents who are paying!!.
Given that a large percentage of our more able swimmers, particularly female, are youths their coaches would expect them to enter a National Long Course Championships, presumably in July, and then the Youth Championships in August!!. Six days at Sheffield costs enough without 3/4 days at Manchester as well.
The Youth/Long Course clearly needs further surgery but two meets is not the answer.

[ruthcp]

Just had a very interesting week at your 'Pond'.

Some nippers in Youths and Open doing 3 swims one day and a final the next just in one event. Stupid. Of course Youth and Open should be different meets and parents of the best swimmers should get funding to attend both.

Queen Bee

As we have seen before on this forum nobody appears to consider the parents who are paying!!.......
The Youth/Long Course clearly needs further surgery but two meets is not the answer

I am a parent, with 3 swimmers, two of whom at least will at some point reach Nationals, with the older one probably in the category you describe (except he's male).......yet I do not believe one meet is the answer. Two is infinitely preferable, but I am very interested to hear what your answer might be! :)

[Phil Tanner]

it is a complete joke that British Swimming set up a six day meet at your hotel prices

I noticed that another very large motel is under construction opposite the pool, at right-angles to the Ibis. Travelodge or Travel Inn.

[ruthcp]

I noticed that another very large motel is under construction opposite the pool, at right-angles to the Ibis. Travelodge or Travel Inn.

It may well put the frighteners on some of the more expensive hotels.....or they could start off at inflated prices!
Hopefully the former - I've stayed at the Ibis, and personally would not repeat the experience.

[Gina]

I had to pay for everything and the hotel was £300 for 6 nights and that was the cheapest I could find. However, I hated having to eat out all the time. Is it just me or is the food in Sheffield either Pizza Hut, fast food or just plain fatty? I really missed my veg at dinner and so did my body!!! A friend of mine stayed in a self catering apartment and, looking at the website, the prices are much cheaper and the quality is high. Has anyone else experienced self catering?

It looks like the youth and seniors are going to be split next year according to the BS website. If this is true then I'm gonna miss the youths! They bring much more fun and energy to the meet. I thought some sessions dragged on but if you were organised (looked at the time sheet with every detail regarding time on it) then you could plan your arrival and warm-up around it.

[Katie]

If you stay at the Bristol, the chefs are amazing and will cook you pretty much what you'd like (within reason!). I found the same sort of thing as you, Gina, either we had to have pizza hut or fast food, although there are a couple of nice little italians, but in the Bristol they could cook you more healthy things :)

[Phil Tanner]

The trouble with the Bristol is it's so damn hot in the rooms.

There are a few reasonable-looking small restaurants three or four tram stops up the road, around West Street, but I haven't tried them. Including a Nando's, but the Nando's at Meadowhall was way below the standard of our local one. Pizza Express there was good, though.

Wetherspoon's/Lloyd's just up the hill is OK for food - a bit rough downstairs but there is a separate upstairs room, possibly without a bar, and we saw several swimmers heading there.

The chippie right by the pool has gone downhill. Er, not literally, unless that's what the scaffolding is for.

The Chinese across the road from PF is excellent - all you can eat for 8-50, huge range of dishes. Packed with swimmers, families etc.

[ruthcp]

The Chinese across the road from PF is excellent - all you can eat for 8-50, huge range of dishes. Packed with swimmers, families etc.

It is good, although son tends not to eat it before swimming (as in the night before) - he usually makes up for it when competition is over though!
Can't beat it for sheer quantity!!! :)

[Chris]

The Chinese across the road from PF is excellent - all you can eat for 8-50, huge range of dishes. Packed with swimmers, families etc.

Mmmmmm ......

I'm just waiting for Masters Nationals in October!!!

[ruthcp]

The trouble with the Bristol is it's so damn hot in the rooms.


Same with other hotels! I hope this new one being built considers some form of air con, although it's not exactly a 'green' option (and may make the prices high too!)!

[wendy]

The new hotel is going to be a Travelodge, and the banner on the side says from £26 per night.... so don't hold your breath for air con!

[wendy]

I find it hard to get my daughter the food she wants to eat in Sheffield, she has been brainwashed by British Swimming nutritionists and declared the chinese buffet far too fatty, she prefers the pasta dishes in ASK. I am a fan of Weatherspoons at home but in Sheffield they seem cheap and nasty but this maybe as there are so many of 'us' using them at the same time.
We had nice Sea Bass in a place called Maso... but apart from that it's salads from M&S at lunchtime and steak jacket and salad or stuffed spud for dinner from the hotel.
At valley centertainment there is Frankie and Benny's, Chiquitos etc but if you are swimming semis/finals till 8pm then swimming down who has time to go there!

[Gina]

I suppose I had the problem of travelling and staying on my own. Some evenings I had company but some nights I just wanted to eat and go to sleep asap! I couldn't go to a restaurant on my own! My coach always says the chinese is a bad idea at a meet as the sauces contains some long word that dehydrates you. Not a good idea if you are racing. Their food is also very fatty.

Katie, I tried to get a room at the Bristol but I think the Leatherhead crowd took them all as there were none left! It is def my fave hotel in Sheffield as they have so much choice and the rooms are so nice. Next year I'll book a bit earlier.

[ruthcp]

My coach always says the chinese is a bad idea at a meet as the sauces contains some long word that dehydrates you. Not a good idea if you are racing. Their food is also very fatty.


Monosodium glutamate - a flavour enhancer which tends to dehydrate and can also make you feel bloated and give you a headache!!

[Gina]

Monosodium glutamate - a flavour enhancer which tends to dehydrate and can also make you feel bloated and give you a headache!!

Yes that is the one. I'm not a big fan of eating out - such a control freak is me!

I love the pictures btw. There is one of me at the start of the 100 back semi on day 3 doing a lovely backstroke start and then a really good one of me looking up at the scoreboard, perhaps in a slight shock with my time :)

[Gina]

Sorry it's a bit too long for me to read. I get bored after the first few paragraphs! In my opinion, real Chinese food is totally different from the stuff we sell as Chinese here. I have been to the Chinese mentioned above and it is ok but I definitely wouldn't go there as a first choice!

[swimbar]

'It looks like the youth and seniors are going to be split next year according to the BS website.' Gina where did you find this?

[Katie]

I agree with Phil about the rooms at the Bristol being way too hot. If they wacked some air con in there it'd be perfect - the people are SO friendly and the rooms are fine... ok, maybe they'd be better if they had a fridge in (but then I'd also like a jacuzzi... oh well, you can't have it all!!) :)

[Pete]

Started back coaching with an easy session and my first view of the ASA National Senior 50m Freestyle Trophy. It was a bit of a surprise considering that the 50m Free is quite a new event.
The trophy is amazing and has quite a history. It was first presented in 1896 at Otter Swimming Club, London. In 1921 it was won outright. In 1994 it was refurbished and donated to the ASA for the 50m Freestyle.
Owen with his trophy!

[Katie]

Nice picture Pete! How was the trophy won outright? Did someone win it a certain number of times or something? :)

[Pete]

It was won three times. Owen has all the details. I'll PM you.

[Graham Wardell]

It would be nice to have one system that we stick to for at least TWO years! Last year's system whereby the youth champion could come from any final made sure that the open finals were full and we had a good representation in the youth finals. I know there were some problems for the meet organisers, but I felt the change this year really devalued the open events.

Yes, sessions were too long but this must reflect the increase in the number of qualifiers this year.

It was a long slog, particularly for those who had been there for both age and youth nationals. But we had some outstanding racing and swimmers really lifted themselves for this meet. Well done to all officials/organisers as well as the swimmers!

[ruthcp]

Try this Gina.

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/foodmonthly/story/0,,1522368,00.html

These are points that stand out for me from this very lengthy article

"Heston Blumenthal, of the Fat Duck in Bray, is among the eminent chefs the industry has enlisted for promotion of the umami principle at conferences across the world - although he uses traditional sources like kombu."

"Their answer is that the industrial fermentation process introduces contaminants."

There are many other points, but I would add that if you are brought up and/or live in Asia, as the writer states he does, you are probably accustomed to ingesting larger quantities of 'extra' MSG than those who don't, and this may have a de-sensitising effect, hence the 'chinese food syndrome' isn't reported there.
I know that I do suffer from headaches, particularly after chinese food, but I have also travelled to Japan a couple of times and am very fond of Japanese food, which does not tend to have this effect on me.
It may be the quality of the food in question (Japanese food is generally of a higher standard than that found in most chinese take-aways), or the sheer amount of the stuff used, especially if it is added rather than naturally occurring (as in cheeses like parmesan).

Ultimately, neither the writer, some MSG supporters nor, it seems, some of the MSG opponents have done conclusive research and people have to follow their headaches (or lack of) to make their decision!

[400IMer]

Owen with his trophy!

Great work Pete - one of the highlights of the week alongside Xavier in the 400m IM final when the whole poolside was urging him on to beat the german and get the record!

Re accomodation - I stayed at a B&B near hillsborough for £40 per night with its own kitchen and facilities (good for control freaks like me!). And I have to agree with the poster who talked about the tram - its genius! I was there for 11 days with swimmers and parking approx £7 per day compared to tram fares of £16 pounds for the same period it was a no brainer.

For food I stopped off at the ASDA on the way in from the motorway - its HUGE!!! That way was able to mix up eating out or getting something together at the place where I was staying.

I know at the Ibis the rates for Nationals are higher than at the rest of the year - we went to the Sheffield meet when prices were about £10 per night cheaper. Solution - don't tell the hotels that there is a major meet on!!

Finally, on the subject of the split - I agree with Graham about sticking to one format for several years than just one off's. The atmosphere was quite flat without the Europeans swimmers being there. Question is though is there the demand in terms of numbers to make splitting the championships worth while. Most regions only break even becsuse of the large numbers of age groupers, and wouldn't the atmosphere be even flatter! Not sure what the answer is to prevent long sessions though, but reluctant to go for an extra day!

Any way, well done to everyone that took part and especially those record breakers! (And huge thanks to any officials that are on the forum - we couldn't do it without you!)

[ruthcp]

We had a brilliant time at the National Youth Championships but came away with a very very big disappointment!
Where were the photographers ?
We picked up a leaflet which said the following and I quote:-

SWIMMINGphotos.net
We are giving our photographers (and you !) a rest this year so we will not be covering this years championships at Ponds Forge.
All pictures from previous years can still be viewed and ordered on
www.swimmingphotos.net
We will be back next year with improved products and services


Looking at the latest Swimming Times, I noticed that swimpix were covering the European Juniors - maybe that's why they were absent from Youths?

[Katie]

There are actually some pictures from the youths on the swimpics site, although not a very good selection!

[ringer]

Now that the Youth Championships are over, does anyone have any feedback. What was good, what could be improved. As an official, I was there for every minute of every day. We have an opportunity to provide feedback direct to the organisers and who knows they may listen.
Back from holidays now and getting into the swing of early to bed and early rises again.(what joy!!)
There was nothing much from my quarter to complain about. In fact all seemed to go well both at Sheffield and at home watching and listening to the new live timing, live pictures, and audio stream facilities.
I did feel that the 3K event was a little too closely scheduled to the 1500m to enable the long distance swimmers who entered both events to give of their best in both e.g. it looked like Charlotte Woolliscroft's efforts and success in the womens 3K took its toll next day in the shorter race (although she did swim a good PB). The close scheduling may in fact have put off some from entering both for lack of recovery time.
There was much more buzz about the place last year when the Event was a combined Commie Trials and Youth Championships. This year of course the European LC took all the top notch swimmers away and the Open finals just did not captivate as last year.
Where younger swimmers are good enough to compete at both Youth and Open levels the ASA should not underestimate the huge cost and general inconvenience to just about everyone concerned (apart from the hotel chains) in having to attend two separate major Events.
My vote would be for continued amalgamated Championships on balance.

[ruthcp]

There are actually some pictures from the youths on the swimpics site, although not a very good selection!

Just seen them! Not many as you say, and I suspect many people won't even have bothered to look, seeing as they produced an A4 sheet to say there wouldn't be any! :confused:

Having looked at these, I am very happy with the ones I took!! :)

[Steve]

Looking at the latest Swimming Times, I noticed that swimpix were covering the European Juniors - maybe that's why they were absent from Youths?
swimpix (http://www.swimpix.co.uk/) or swpix (http://www.swpix.co.uk/)? Not the same thing! Besides which the european juniors weren't on at the same time as the ASA champs, so a poor excuse if that's what they're using. I guess swpix (they run the www.swimmingphotos.net site) may have had someone in budapest which may have had an impact.

[marrinermum]

There are actually some pictures from the youths on the swimpics site, although not a very good selection!

did'nt bother to look until you mentioned it Katie and what should i find but quite a few of no1 as part of the 4 x 100 relay team - as my better half did'nt take any photos of his one moment of glory we're well chuffed!

[will still be ordering the ones from yours Ruth too]

[ruthcp]

swimpix (http://www.swimpix.co.uk/) or swpix (http://www.swpix.co.uk/)? Not the same thing! Besides which the european juniors weren't on at the same time as the ASA champs, so a poor excuse if that's what they're using. I guess swpix (they run the www.swimmingphotos.net site) may have had someone in budapest which may have had an impact.

I noticed the photographer's name on the Swimming Times, and recognised it as one of the guys who takes them at Nationals.
European Juniors and Youth Champs were on at the same time, both running until the 6th August.
I know swpix (who run the swimmingphotos site) did take photos at the Bagcat Champs, but were unavailable at Youth Champs.

PS And of course you are right, it is swpix rather than the other site, which is different altogether!

[Steve]

I noticed the photographer's name on the Swimming Times, and recognised it as one of the guys who takes them at Nationals.
European Juniors and Youth Champs were on at the same time, both running until the 6th August.
I know swpix (who run the swimmingphotos site) did take photos at the Bagcat Champs, but were unavailable at Youth Champs.

PS And of course you are right, it is swpix rather than the other site, which is different altogether!
OK you have me really confused now. European Juniors took place from 5th to 9th July and the ASA Youth and National Champs took place from 1st to 6th August. The latter did of course run concurrently with the European LC Champs which ran from July 26th to August 6th (although swimming didn't start until July 31st).

Hence no clash between European Juniors and any national champs (not even Age groups which ran from 17th - 30th July) I don't think even the ASA would make that scheduling clash!

However, as I said before, if SWPix were in budapest for the European LC then they may not have been able to attend the Youths/ASA Champs. Using the European Juniors as an excuse would be pretty meaningless since they were a month apart.

[ruthcp]

OK you have me really confused now. European Juniors took place from 5th to 9th July and the ASA Youth and National Champs took place from 1st to 6th August. The latter did of course run concurrently with the European LC Champs which ran from July 26th to August 6th (although swimming didn't start until July 31st).


Probably me getting the wrong name for it. :rolleyes:
As on British Swimming website

26 July -6 August European Championships, Budapest,

This is what I mean, sorry if I confused you! :)

[lane4]

(not even Age groups which ran from 17th - 30th July)
27-30th July actually. ;)

[Gina]

'It looks like the youth and seniors are going to be split next year according to the BS website.' Gina where did you find this?


Sorry but I got a little bit confused as I was posting this. I checked out the calender and competition info on the british swimming website and was looking at the 2006-2009 plan http://www.sportcentric.com/vmgmt/vfilemgmt/page/filedownload/1,8202,5026-49221-87855-0-file,00.pdf
I got confused with 2008 instead of 2007. It looks like youths and seniors are still gonna be mixed. This means I might have company from my club and a coach too! :D