National Champs

[Mac]

Well there's been some pretty good swims so far from the 'seniors'. David Carry's 400 f/c BR is the obvious highlight but Hannah Mley's 400IM (4.40)also impressed as did Fran Halsalls semi final 100 f/c (54.7) and Liam Tancocks 100 Bk (53.9).

I suppose the only thing you could say is that the good swims have come from the expected swimmers and there haven't been too many 'surprise' good swims (i am referring here to the top end - i'm sure there have been lots of very good PB's by swimmers further down the lists)

I'm looking forward to the final of the womens 800 f/c - there were a good number of sub-8.50 swims in the heats and it will be interesting to see whether there are any more BR's during the remainder of the champs.

PS: extremely long (and very hot) first session on Friday morning!

[Spidey]

It is pleasing to see so many good female distance swimmers now. Was it the success of Becky that brought them on?

[Mac]

Lots more good swims tonight. V. impressive 200IM BR from Liam Tancock - first sub 2.00 from a Brit. Also looks like BR's from Fran Halsall on 100 f/c and 50 fly

The mens 100 f/c also featured some good (if not outstanding swims). Although no sub-50s there were 8 sub-51's which is an encouraging improvement in terms of depths in an event that has been lacking for quite some time.

Another good 100 Br from kate Haywood as well although Kirsty Balfour was a little off her best. And the Mark Fostr comeback seems to be taking shape - a way off his best but still consideraby ahead of anyone else

[Woodward]

Lots more good swims tonight. V. impressive 200IM BR from Liam Tancock - first sub 2.00 from a Brit.


Were I so humble I could avoid posting this but I'm not (http://www.swimclub.co.uk/forum/showpost.php?p=90029&postcount=14)

And he still has the final. He's obviously zeroing in on this event. He went full throttle yesterday in the back semi because tonight and tomorrow is all about the medley. He's already got the Olympic berth secured so it's nice to see him continue to get after it.

[topbomber]

And watch those who've gone stateside this week, thats going to be really interesting as a pointer to next year.........

[Mac]

More good swimming in this evening session:

Jemma Jowe dropping the 100 fly BR twice in one session (58.9 then 58.7) and with Fran Halsall and Terri Dunning also dipping below 60 there is an encouraging improvement in depth. Also a good 100 fly from Jessica Dickons which bodes well for the 200

James Goddard came within a fingertip of going sub 2.00 and breaking the one day old BR in the 200IM

A very good low 2.00 200 f/c from Ellen Gandy plus good swims from Julia Beckett and Katie behind Caitlin and Mel. I'm looking forward to that final

Ben Hockin going sub50 for the first time in the 100 f/c and a pretty decent 49.1 from Simon Burnett

An extremely impressive 8.25 800 f/c from Rebecca Adlington with a massive -ve split (4.14-4.11). Not far off the BR and a time that would have been good enough for World Champs bronze last year.

Michael Rock went 1.57 for 200 fly which was better than i would have expected.

Lots of other good swims in amongst it all. Encouraging!

[Woodward]

Very impressive swims from Lowe and Adlington.

Why did Tank skip the 200IM finals? He nearly abdicated his record.

[Linny]

I think the swimming this week has been brilliant already; should o' been on the tele; there's lots to be celebrate and feel hopeful about the future for!

Mind you, I've been a bit confused by who is doing what and a' wondering what everyone's objectives are but I can live with that.

Looking forward to finding out who is going to win the ladies 200IM final and seeing how fast they can go even though Lizzie Simmonds won't be in it after her brill swim at EJC.

British records not withstanding, and proximity to world records aside, the one that impressed me most sooooo far, and I wish I'd of watched it would have to be Michael Rock and his 1.57 200 fly - twice. :D

[lane4]

Why did Tank skip the 200IM finals? He nearly abdicated his record.
Probably cos he wanted a crack at the 50 back world record, which in the end he very narrowly missed.

[Woodward]

Ah. I read that he had a poor finish. He also says he's not rested. So he may have Rupprath's number in Japan.

The British men's 200 freestylers are cutting it close by swimming at Nationals in the UK then again in Indy. The 200 at US Nats is on Friday. Maybe they would be better off swimming in Paris instead. I assume Hannah got on a plane right after her 400IM.

[doublexpresso]

It would be great to have TV coverage of the Champs but I would settle with at least a bit of newspaper reporting. Do you know of any papers giving anything decent - the British Swimming Website gives an excellent report each day and assuming they send that out as a press release it isn't as though the papers have much to research.

[topbomber]

yeah 200IM without Hannah or Lizzie a bit of a no for me. The brits of to the states is a tight schedule and Katie H is not swimming the 400 IM so have to keep on waiting for that showdown. Good to see so many of our youth talent coming through to mix it with the big time.....

[dalex]

It would be great to have TV coverage of the Champs but I would settle with at least a bit of newspaper reporting. Do you know of any papers giving anything decent - the British Swimming Website gives an excellent report each day and assuming they send that out as a press release it isn't as though the papers have much to research.

Getting good newspaper coverage daily in the Yorkshire Post but just a copy of what is onthe ASA web site. Must not be anyone from the press at the champs although I did see Anita so maybe something in the Telegraph except Saturday when these was nothing.

[DodgyDunk]

It would be great to have TV coverage of the Champs but I would settle with at least a bit of newspaper reporting. Do you know of any papers giving anything decent - the British Swimming Website gives an excellent report each day and assuming they send that out as a press release it isn't as though the papers have much to research.

An article by Craig Lord in The Times today http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/article2169904.ece

IIRC there was something in the same paper last week (b4 the event) re Mr Foster's "comeback"

[colonelhall]

I've just been reading the A.S.A. schedule for our top swimmers over the next few weeks. Any information as to how they are preparing. Have they peaked for the Nationals and are hoping to keep going, or is there a more cunning plan afoot. I notice no Simon and no Kirsty. Hannah seems to be hopping continents. Some swimmers feature but did not take part at the Nationals ( Andrew, Robbie ).
For us armchair swimmers it's getting pretty confusing, but fascinating nontheless.

[Linny]

IIRC there was something in the same paper last week (b4 the event) re Mr Foster's "comeback"I hope he's filled in his availability forms. :)

[Blob]

I hope he's filled in his availability forms. :)

Great news, who would have though it? A 37-year-old, semi-retired, non-funded and barely training swimmer wins at nationals (twice). The living legend that is Mark Foster once again embarrasses the hierarchy and its retinue at British Swimming with outstanding displays of racing, how they would of liked him to of failed.

I reckon I'm going to leave the skunk at home next year, the official results of the mens 50 free don't correspond to the race I watched, I must of been hallucinating again…………or was I?

[NotVeryFast]

Looks like a PB for Gina in the 50 free final, and as far as I can tell, as things stand at the moment she'll be on her way to the Euro SCs, which I'm sure she'll be thrilled about.

Great to see Mark Foster doing well, what a cheer from the crowd he'll get at Manchester if he makes a final.

[Juicy Lucy]

Great news, who would have though it? A 37-year-old, semi-retired, non-funded and barely training swimmer wins at nationals (twice).

I'm not surprised, with so many people willing him on. Uncle Bill won't be happy though.

[Mac]

I suspect that Uncle Bill is not particularly bothered. The relaity is that Mark is better than anyone else we've got over 50m f/c and fly and has been for a very long time. But that is more a reflection of the relatively weak state of our male sprinting over at least the last deade or so.

Mark is obviously a massivley massively talented swimmers and to have done the times he has swum this week off the very little training he says that he's been doing reflects that. But world swimming has moved on. All of the medals at the last Worlds at 50m f/c were won at sub-22. Mark is not going to get down to those times at this stage in his career. It's just a shame that at the moment no other British swimmer is either

[Another SwimMum]

I suspect that Uncle Bill is not particularly bothered. The relaity is that Mark is better than anyone else we've got over 50m f/c and fly and has been for a very long time. But that is more a reflection of the relatively weak state of our male sprinting over at least the last deade or so.

Mark is obviously a massivley massively talented swimmers and to have done the times he has swum this week off the very little training he says that he's been doing reflects that. But world swimming has moved on. All of the medals at the last Worlds at 50m f/c were won at sub-22. Mark is not going to get down to those times at this stage in his career. It's just a shame that at the moment no other British swimmer is either

Never say never! It's fantastic that a 37 yr old can still perform at elite level when everyone else seems to retire a lot ealier. Why would Bill not be happy? If he is the fastest in the UK won't Bill be pleased?

[selkie]

In a world where a 40 year old Dara Torres just went a 54.4 LC 100M free, Mark Foster seems almost young.

[Silver Fox]

From my very first step inside Ponds Forge,the National Youth Championships were a tremendous improvement on 2006...the atmosphere was great...medals were available to all those who won them...officials were good...announcers excellent but aren't they always...the cafe was excellent and cheap...the ladies on reception were great as usual...there was a good photographer on pool side...the filming on the dvd's has some room for improvement...overall to all those who were there at Ponds Forge in any capacity...THANK YOU...Laurie
:wave::wave::wave::wave::wave::wave::wave::wave:

[Phil Tanner]

Well said.

This was our last time at youths and IMHO for the first time since they started running it in parallel with the ASAs, the run of the mill youth swimmers (e.g. daughter) seemed to be given their due rather than just being ignored while the commentators banged on and on about the senior elite. From a spectator's point of view, it ran like clockwork. Thanks all concerned.

Only criticism I would have is that the cyclical seeding is very tough for the youth swimmers entered fast enough to get caught up in it and stuck in 1 and 10 while the centre lanes effectively swim a different heat.

[Gina]

I was happy with my last swim in the 50 free but the rest were not very good. I was very impressed with Michael Rock in his 200 fly. I haven't watched him swim in detail but I watch the whole of the 200. He came out of all his turns after going over 10m underwater, didn't breathe and then, after breathing every other stroke, he didn't take a breath in the last 5 metres.

I was a bit disappointed that Tancock didn't race Goddard in the 200 IM final as I'm sure that would have pushed the two under 2 minutes a bit further.

Also, why do we have semis? Yes I know it follows the major competitions but when it is done at national standard the top swimmers don't have to push themselves to get into the semis. That isn't really good practice for major meets where a lot of swimmers could get knocked out in the heats if they go slightly slower than their pb. If we went from heats to finals we'd get a faster heat swims in the morning (like you need to at international level) and more pressure to make the top 8.

[Gina]

A little grumble would be the first day scheduling. It has the most events and some of the longest. Having the evening session starting at 5pm (not 4 like it says on the results) meant that the last few semis were starting after 8pm!

[ringer]

One of the sub plots that kept my interest at the Youth and ASA Nationals was following (through sometimes educated guesswork) and watching the progress of those swimmers and coaches who I believe have links with SwimClub either direct or through parents or grandparents.

I know that many of us that contribute to the Forums here are a bit on the "shy-side" and prefer to hide behind anonymity. This post is not intended to dig behind pseudonyms or for "coming-out" but I wondered if it would be of interest for a sort of roll-call of all those who attended as competitors or spectators or officials or coaches etc

I'll set the ball rolling then.....

I attended as a spectator with an interest as a parent of a swimmer. (and enjoyed every minute of it....it was such a different atmosphere to last year)

[BlueGirl]

I was there for both Age Groups and Youths as staff member. My best bit was relays as we had quite a few teams entered. It was very rewarding and great fun for us with lots of successes, some not so successful and a few tears as senior swimmers were moving on to go to university/abroad/retiring.

[Taxiandbank]

I was there at the youths for one day as a parent. I wonder if the results from Paris and Inianapolis (maybe apart from the 4 x 200 in a time which would have placed 10th at the world champs) will have been worth all the hassle and inconvenience caused to the age group and youth swimmers and parents?

[Juicy Lucy]

Why would Bill not be happy? If he is the fastest in the UK won't Bill be pleased?

When Mark Foster was the fastest swimmer in the UK - and achieved the official Olympic qualifying time - Bill Sweetenham didn't allow him to represent GB in the Olympics.

Fos is a thorn in Bill's side.

[Bully]

Sadly I couldn't be there, as I had to cover sessions while the head coach was there. But my first of hopefully many National qualifiers was there and she achieved a 0.5 sec pb, job done, but I did keep track on the excellent results service.
Hopefully, I will get the chance next year, as a parent if my boy can beat his poxy hayfever, and as a coach.

[EssBee]

I was at the Youths for one day with my son who was swimming 100 Fly. It seemed a long way to go for one race but, following nearly a year of injury, we were just pleased for him that he achieved at least one NQT this year so I took him anyway. He didn't have a great swim but enjoyed being there.

EssBee
:wave:

[Bully]

He didn't have a great swim but enjoyed being there.EssBee:wave:

Job done, and I'm sure it will make him stronger for it, and want it more than ever, next target get his NQT earlier than this year?

[400IMer]

I was there as a coach for age and youth champs. It was however my last champs as I am going up to Cumbria to teach outdoor pursuits!

Best of luck all you swim clubbers!!! :)

[lane4]

Great news, who would have though it? A 37-year-old, semi-retired, non-funded and barely training swimmer wins at nationals (twice). The living legend that is Mark Foster once again embarrasses the hierarchy and its retinue at British Swimming with outstanding displays of racing, how they would of liked him to of failed.
It was great to see Mark back and swimming well at the Nationals. One can only applaud him for getting up and doing the job and still being so fast at this late stage of his career.
With results like this though (first time he swam sub 22.4 in 4 years), off apparently so little training, it makes you wonder what he was up to in 2004 when he was presumably training flat out to make Athens?
I am sure British Swimming will be absolutely delighted if Mark continues like this, makes the Olympic team and wins a medal in Beijing.

[2.tso]

Possibly He Is Training With A Different Coach Or Possible Training Himself!! I Kow He Spent Quite A Lot Of Time With Dirk Inn Southafrica!

[Gina]

He had a much better start this year so that was about 0.2 off his time from 2004. He is a freakish talent, one that we can look at and learn from but not always copy. If he can drop down a bit further and get his BR back, I think he'll have a pretty good chance of making finals at the Olympics next year.

[2.tso]

VERY OPTIMISTIC! BEARING IN MIND HE WILL BE UP AGAINST ANY OF THESE SWIMMERS
1 BERNARD Alain
2 CIELO FILHO Cesar
3 WILDMAN TOBRINER Ben
4 NYSTRAND Stefan
5 JONES Cullen
6 KIZIEROWSKI Bartosz
7 SULLIVAN Eamon
8 NORIEGA SANZ Javier
9 SCHOEMAN Roland
10 SANTOS Nicholas
NOT TO MENTION WHO ELSE MIGHT COME CRAWLING OUT OF THE WOOD WORK GHJ AND ANTHONY IRVIN! (YES HE IS TRAINING)

[Gina]

Is it possible to take the caps off please? I am imagining you shouting at me!

If he gets his BR back that means he'll be 22.11 or faster. I know those guys have all been sub 22 which I wish someone from this country would do, but the chances of all 10 of those guys doing that is slim. Don't forget that only two from each country can qualify for an event so even if Jones, BW-T, Brunelli, Lezak, GHJ and Irvin go faster than Foster only the fastest two matter.

A little fact added. It took 22.3 to make World finals

[2.tso]

sorry about the caps!
i hope he gets on the team and wins the whole lot dont get me wrong but i think there are gona be some mean surpises in the 50 and 100 free for men and the 2 4 and 800 for female