World Champs in New Zealand [Archive]

mammamedley

26-03-2002, 03:49 PM

'Day 1: Sunday 24th March
Britain's first gold medal at the IX World Masters Championships in Christchurch, New Zealand, was won in predictable fashion by our most successful masters swimmer Jane Asher. In securing the gold medal Jane smashed her own world record for 800m Freestyle in the 70 years age group, to win in a time of 12.32.21, an improvement of 12.61 seconds. A delighted Jane commented:

"I couldn't believe it! It must be the new suit and the sunshine."

Other world champions were Nuala Muir-Cochrane in the 35 years age group and Penny Webster in the 60 years age group. There was a bronze medal for Southport's Doreen Gordon behind Penny, and Basildon & District's Nicola Latty in the 30 years age group. John Hamilton of the British Armed Forces won gold in the men's 800m free 25 years. In the men's 800m Freestyle Simon Veale was our highest finisher with a silver medal in the 45 years age group and Geoff Stokes came third in the 60 years age group.

Day 2: Monday 25th March
Totnes may not be a name which readily springs to mind when you're thinking about Masters' clubs but the Devon club provided Britain with a further four gold medals. Husband and wife team Simon and Kate Veale both won their 200m IM events, with Simon beating off a strong challenge from Sweden's Olympian Glen Christiansen. Kate swims in the 35 years age group and also added the 50m Butterfly title to her collection later this afternoon, whilst team mate Pat Warren took the 45 years 50m Butterfly in emphatic fashion. Brierley Hill's Lindsay Gowland made it a British one-two in this event with a suprising silver medal. Meanwhile Jane Asher continued her world record breaking form whilst adding the 200m IMI and the 50m Butterfly titles, with times of 3.26.41 and 39.77.

Other British winners were Romford's Lara Clarke in the 25 years 200m IM and Barnet Copthall's Bernice Wilkins in the 55 years 50m Butterfly. Jo Swatton swam "a stonking personal best" to take a silver in the 35 years 200m IM and Julie Howe of Barnet took bronze.

There were bronze medals in the 200m IM for Anne Cork (50 years) amd Kirsty Owen (25 years) and for the men Wray Shewell-Cooper (40 years) and Paul Griffiths (30 years), and in the 50m Butterfly for Vicky Watson (35 years), Pat Jackson (55 Years), Susan Halter (75 years) and Seymour Banning (65 years).

Day 3: Tuesday 26th March
Britain's eldest swimmer at the Games won a medal. Emily Godsall from Nofio Cymru took bronze in the breast 85-89 years category. In all, there were nine medals for Britain in the women's 200m breaststroke.

Four were silver: Diane Ford (Spencer, 55-59 years); Frances Penwarden (King's Cormorants 45-49yrs); Verity Dobbie (Gateshead & Whickham 40-44yrs); and Lisa Dobson (Borough of Kirklees 30-34yrs). As well as Emily, bronzes were claimed by Joan Kidd (Isle of Wight, 75-79yrs); Pauline Harrington (Caledonian Masters, 55-59yrs); Julie Crayford (Nofio Cymru 50-54yrs); and Tracy Ellis 40-44yrs).

In the men's event, Tom Walker from the City of Chester club reduced his world record time in winning 65 years' breast in 3:06:08. Totnes swimmer Matt Gomez was the only other medal winner with bronze in the 35 years group. Jane Asher made it four gold and four world records in winning the 400m freestyle.