From swimming.org website

British Swimming National Performance Director Michael Scott has described the national team bound for next month’s FINA World Championships in Shanghai as “one of the most competitive British teams ever assembled”.

Forty athletes have been formerly selected to the British Gas GBR Swimming Team and they will finalise preparations at a holding camp in Osaka, Japan before arriving in Shanghai.

Double-Olympic Champion Becky Adlington, Commonwealth Champion and World Championship silver medallist Fran Halsall will lead the challenge for the women while double-Commonwealth Champion James Goddard and World Champion Liam Tancock head-up the men’s contingent.

The team also features a group of athletes who have qualified for their first senior national team. The likes of Siobhan-Marie O’Connor (British Gas ITC, Bath), Molly Renshaw (Derventio, Derbys), Joshua Walsh, Jak Scott (both British Gas ITC, Stirling) put themselves onto the team with impressive performances at last week’s British Gas ASA Championships in Sheffield.

“After two trials I believe we have one of the most competitive British teams ever assembled,” said Scott. “There will be some big challenges ahead this summer but the squad has real talent and strength, and is best placed to overcome these.

“It’s a healthy mix of experienced performers on the world stage as well as a group of exciting youngsters who will be looking to establish themselves on the team.

“Any World Championships is an important event and marker but the one prior to an Olympic year is a key measure that gives us a strong indication of where we are in our journey to the London 2012 Olympics.”

Scott is pleased with the progress made by British Swimming’s World Class Programme.

“We are currently well positioned within the World Rankings but this fact should be tempered,” explained Scott. “When we arrive in Shanghai we’ll see a very strong and competitive Chinese team with home crowd advantage, and this will significantly support their results.

“We should also look at the fact there hasn’t been a US trials in 2011 so we don’t yet know where the world’s number one nation is but you can be sure they’ll be at the very top of their game.

“As usual we expect tough competition from Australia, our European counterparts and a wider selection of nations all in the hunt for podium finishes. It’s going to be a challenge for our swimmers but one that they accept and relish.”

The performance outcome of the British Gas GBR Swimming Team will be measured across a number of formats as British Swimming looks towards London, the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and Rio 2016 Olympics.

“We will of course look at medals won but we’ll also measure success by the number of finalists we achieve, semi-finalists and best times posted by athletes. The overall performance of the team and progression of people are all indicators of success,” said Scott.

“It’s a big team as we have included a number of relay alternates in both the Freestyle and Medley relays. These World Championships have added importance as they provide a qualification opportunity for the relays for the London 2012 Olympics.

“I’m very optimistic about our performances in Shanghai. I feel very positive about our progression within world swimming and believe we are working hard to support swimmers and coaches to achieve success on the world stage.”

-ends-

The FINA World Championships take place in Shanghai, China between 16th – 31st july

Swimming takes place between Sunday 24th – Saturday 31st July
Diving takes place between Saturday 16th – Sunday 24th July
Synchro takes place between Sunday 17th – Saturday 23rd July
Open Water takes place Tuesday 19th – 23rd July

The British Gas GBR Swimming Team comprises:
Adam Brown Hatfield/Auburn
Simon Burnett Windsor
David Carry British Gas ITC Stockport
Ross Davenport British Gas ITC Loughborough
James Disney-May Millfield
Daniel Fogg British Gas ITC Loughborough
Kristopher Gilchrist British Gas ITC Bath
James Goddard British Gas ITC Stockport
Antony James Plymouth Leander
Michael Jamieson British Gas ITC Bath
Roberto Pavoni British Gas ITC Loughborough
Robbie Renwick City of Glasgow
Michael Rock British Gas ITC Stockport
Joseph Roebuck Loughborough University
Jak Scott British Gas ITC Stirling
Liam Tancock British Gas ITC Loughborough
Grant Turner British Gas ITC Loughborough
Chris Walker-Hebborn British Gas ITC Bath
Joshua Walsh British Gas ITC Stirling
Andrew Willis British Gas ITC Bath
Rebecca Adlington Nova Centurion
Jazmin Carlin British Gas ITC Swansea
Georgia Davies British Gas ITC Swansea
Ellen Gandy Beckenham
Francesca Halsall British Gas ITC Loughborough
Kate Haywood Loughborough University
Joanne Jackson British Gas ITC Loughborough
Jemma Lowe British Gas ITC Swansea
Siobhan-Marie O’Connor British Gas ITC Bath
Caitlin McClatchey Loughborough University
Hannah Miley Garioch
Keri-Anne Payne British Gas ITC Stockport
Stephanie Proud Chester-Le-Street/University of Florida
Molly Renshaw Derventio
Elizabeth Simmonds British Gas ITC Loughborough
Amy Smith Loughborough University
Gemma Spofforth Portsmouth Northsea
Stacey Tadd University of Bath
Rebecca Turner City of Sheffield
Emma Wilkins Plymouth Leander

SHEFFIELD, England, June 16.

Day three of the ASA British Gas Long Course Nationals is in the books, and Elizabeth Simmonds scorched the women’s 200 back for the top swim of the evening.

Simmonds rocketed to second in the world rankings in the women’s 200 back with a time of 2:07.49. That performance pushed her ahead of Shiho Sakai’s previously second-ranked time of 2:07.74, and behind only Belinda Hocking (2:06.88) this year. Simmonds was also vying for the British record of 2:06.66 set by Gemma Spofforth back in 2009. Rachel Lefley placed second in 2:11.99, while Karley Mann took third in 2:12.50. Georgia Davies split a 59.60 en route to an eighth-place finish. That swim put her fifth in the world in the 100 back this year, pushing the sub-1:00 club to eight.

Rebecca Adlington, who stands first in the world this year in the women’s 800 free with an 8:20.23 from March, cruised to victory in the event this evening in 8:24.77. Eleanor Faulkner touched second in 8:34.15, while Hannah Miley snared third overall in 8:35.30.

Daniel Sliwinski moved to 11th in the world rankings in the men’s 50 breast with a time of 27.76. He edged Aleksander Hetland’s 27.77, and stands just shy of Alexander Triznov’s 27.74. Matt Shead placed second tonight in 28.12, while Christopher Steeples earned third in 28.72.

Simon Burnett hit the wall in 22.24 to win the men’s 50 free. That swim tied with Cullen Jones for 15th in the world rankings in the splash-and-dash. Matthew Tutty finished second overall tonight in 22.73, while Richard Schafers grabbed third in 22.86.

Lewis Smith claimed the men’s 400 IM crown in 4:16.26 to move to 18th in the world rankings, while Thomas Haffield posted a second-place 4:16.53 for 22nd in the rankings. Matthew Allison wound up third in 4:22.07.

Amy Smith topped the women’s 50 free in 25.46, while Georgina Heyn and Emma Wilkins tied for second with matching 25.83s. Stacey Tadd captured the women’s 100 breast title in 1:09.14. Kathryn Johnstone finished second in 1:11.04, while Heyn finished third in 1:11.12 for her second podium of the night.

Chris Walker-Hebborn posted a 54.47 to win the men’s 100 back. Marco Loughran posted a second-place 54.84, while Ryan Bennett pocketed third in 55.44

Report from British Swimming website can be found HERE

Sheffield – Wednesday 15 June 2011

The second day of racing at the British Long Course Nationals in Sheffield produced a top time in the world.

Fran Halsall dropped the hammer in the women’s 100 free prelims with a top time of 53.61 before scratching finals. The swim pushed her ahead of Femke Heemskerk (53.70) for the top-ranked time in the world. Only Alicia Coutts (53.80) and Camille Muffat (53.97) have also cleared 54 seconds third year. Meanwhile, Amy Smith won the finale in 55.27, while Rebecca Turner took second in 55.52. Caitlin McClatchey completed the podium with a third-place 55.81.

Georgia Davies sprinted into third in the world in the women’s 50 back with a winning time of 27.96. That effort moved her behind only Anastasia Zueva (27.78) and Aya Terakawa (27.79) this year, while also joining Gao Chang (27.98) as one of only four swimmers under 28 seconds so far. Notably, Davies just missed Gemma Spofforth’s national record of 27.92 set in 2009. Ekaterina Avramova touched second in 28.88, while Jennifer Oldham grabbed third in 29.52.

Chris Walker-Hebborn posted a 1:57.20 in the men’s 200 back to tie Michael Phelps for sixth in the world rankings. Marco Loughran hit the wall in 1:58.34 for second to take 14th in the rankings, while Ryan Bennett placed third in 2:00.42.

Antony James jumped to seventh in the world rankings in the men’s 100 fly with a victorious time of 52.13. Meanwhile, Simon Burnett claimed second in 53.04 with Joseph Roebuck taking third overall in 53.28.

Robbie Renwick topped the men’s 200 free in 1:47.46 to move to 10th in the world rankings. David Carry (1:49.48) and Jak Scott (1:49.58) wound up taking second and third.

Stacey Tadd touched out Molly Renshaw, 2:27.37 to 2:27.67, in the women’s 200 breast. Hannah Miley clinched third-place honors in 2:28.95. Rachel Lefley captured the women’s 50 fly in 27.38, while Lucy Worrall finished second in 27.66. Tilly Gray snared third in 27.78.

Full results from the Finals can be seen on the Swimming World site by clicking HERE and a full report from the British Swimming site can be found HERE

Sheffield; 14th June 2011

THE first evening of action at the British Long Course National Championships produced some world-class times, including a trio of top 10 times.

In an exciting finish, Jemma Lowe knocked off Fran Halsall, 57.43 to 57.44, in the women’s 100 fly. Lowe moved to fourth in the world rankings behind Alicia Coutts (57.25), Sarah Sjostrom (57.32) and Liu Zige (57.39), while Halsall took fifth. Dana Vollmer now stands sixth with a 57.50. Jessica Sylvester grabbed third tonight in 1:00.61.

Elizabeth Simmonds became the seventh swimmer under 1:00 in the women’s 100 back this year with a winning effort of 59.86. That swim moved her to fifth in the world rankings, and second among Europeans with Anastasia Zueva sitting second with a 59.35. Ekaterina Avramova finished second in 1:01.53, while Rachel Lefley placed third in 1:01.67.

Robbie Renwick moved to 11th in the world rankings in the men’s 400 free with a winning time of 3:48.60. David Carry took second in 3:49.42 for 17th in the rankings, while Lewis Smith earned third in 3:52.27.

Kristopher Gilchrist earned 19th in the world rankings in the men’s 100 breast with a 1:00.99. Daniel Sliwinski finished second in 1:01.15, while Richard Webb took third in 1:02.15.

Joanne Jackson touched out Caitlin McClatchey, 1:58.32 to 1:58.56, in the women’s 200 free for the win. Meanwhile Rebecca Turner was also in the thick of things with a third-place time of 1:58.66. Jackson moved to 21st in the world rankings with her winning time.

Liam Tancock, who stands fifth in the world rankings in the men’s 50 back with a 24.95, placed first tonight in 25.05. Luke Wood took a distant second in 26.06, while Craig McNally finished third in 26.10.

Michael Rock won the men’s 200 fly in 1:57.35, a second off his eighth-ranked season best of 1:56.26 from March. Iain Macmillan touched second in 1:59.39, while Adam Mallett grabbed third in 2:00.16.

Siobhan-Marie O’Connor held off Lucy Spencer, 2:14.14 to 2:14.36, to win the women’s 200 IM. Sophie Allen placed third in 2:14.45, while Stacey Tadd also posted a 2:14 with a fourth-place 2:14.52.

Anastasia Christofou captured the women’s 50 breast in 32.04, while Kathryn Johnstone finished second in 32.27. Georgina Heyn grabbed third in 32.30.

Full results for Day 1’s Finals can be found by clicking HERE

BBC Scotland Sport Nation’s Phil Goodlad spends a day with Olympic swimming hopeful Hannah Miley to find out the sacrifices needed to achieve success can be found at the following link.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/13695341.stm

This is a good tool to use to highlight the dedication and effort required by top swimmers to young swimmers, parents and potential supporters or sponsors.

NB: video only available to BBC website users in the UK only

LEN News

At its annual meeting last month in Reykjavik, the European Swimming League, Ligue Européenne de Natation (LEN), announced the dates and location of the 2012 European Championships, and confirmed
that the normally 4-sport championships would be split for next year.

The 2012 Europeans for Swimming and Synchro will take place in Antwerp, Belgium, May 16-27.
These championships have traditionally also included Diving and Open Water; however, due to issues in finding a host for the 2012 event, these competitions have been separated.

LEN has announced that the 2012 European Diving Championships will be held in Eindhoven, Netherlands; while a location for an Open Water championships has not been announced.

Also announced last month was the host of the 2012 Short Course Europeans: they will be in Chartes, France, November 22-25.

British Gas ASA National Youth Championships 2011 – Entry Closing Date.

On 1st October 2010 the Qualifying Times for the British Gas ASA National Age Group & National Youth Championships were published on the Swimming Website.
The closing date for entries to the Youth Championships was shown as 6th July 2011.

English qualifying for the British Gas ASA National Age & Youth Championships is from Meets at Levels 1 & 2. No club is permitted to have a qualifying Level 1 or 2 Meet after the 31st May. The only Level 1 Meets after this date are the Regional Championships in June.

For 2011 it has been agreed that clubs can promote meets at Level 1 on the 1st weekend in July but with the condition that these meets will not count for Age & Youth Championship Qualification in 2011. The only use for the times will be the following years British Championships. No such meets have been promoted.

To ensure that people did not enter such meets, in the belief that the times would count for 2011 National Qualification, within days of the original document being published the closing date was altered to the 1st July 2011 and an amended document published.

In February 2011 the decision was taken to include 18 year old female swimmers in the National Youth Championships and the current version of the Qualifying Times document was posted on the website.

The Scottish Open Championships have normally been the last qualifying meet for Scottish swimmers, and the change of closing date has affected this situation.

In view of this, and the fact that an increasing number of Coaches and Club Administrators have not taken note of the change in October 2010, we have decided to revert to the original closing date of 6th July 2011 (12 noon).

This is to ensure that no Youth swimmers are disadvantaged.

Advance Warning – 2012

Swimmers, Coaches and administrators need to be aware the British Gas ASA National Youth Championships will be held from the 17th – 21st July 2012. The closing date, for all Nationalities, will be Wednesday 27th June 2012.

Barry J Saunders
National Entries Administrator
ASA/British Swimming

Swimming World magazine
31.05.11

THE course plan for the 2011 London Open Water test event has now been announced. The event, taking place on Aug. 13, 2011, will give meet organizers a chance to work out the kinks prior to hosting the 2012 London Games open water competition.

The test event will occur in Serpentine, Hyde Park, with the women’s 10k race beginning at 10 a.m. The men’s 10k event will commence at 2 p.m.

The course map includes a six-lap configuration with two key course correction points during each lap. Click the link below to see the course map: http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/27221.asp?q=London-Open-Water-Test-Event-Course-Plan-Approved