Lowndes was no stranger to star

OLYMPIC and Common-wealth medallist and five times world champion James Hickman was the special guest at the Guernsey Swimming Club's annual presentation evening. Hickman presented many of the trophies on view and posed for photographs with his five world championship medals, much to the delight of the younger swimmers present at the Duke of Richmond.

Hickman was no stranger to the club's top award winner, Ben Lowndes, the pair having met and swum at the 2002 Commonwealth Games where the Englishman was so taken with the Guernsey youngster that he presented him with a pair of the English team's Common-wealth Games Shark leggings, which Lowndes subsequently wore in competition.

'I went up to him and asked him if he wanted to swap them,' recalled Lowndes, who also took Hickman on in the Beau Sejour pool during his visit.

'We had a muck-around relay and I went up against him.

'He also took us for a training session.'

Lowndes was the first to be called up and received 18 cups and trophies, having made a clean sweep of all the club's championships. He was also presented with the men's champion of champions trophy.

Following the main presentation, four special awards were made.

Lowndes was awarded the Green Trophy for the most meritorious swim for his achievement in setting a new island short course record during the inter insular.

Matthew Girard collected 10 trophies in his 12/13 age category, while Tom Hamon had nine in his 14/15 section.

The leading woman was Christine Hume who won most of the cups for the long course events, while the trophies for the 100m and 200m were shared between Helen Mahy, Sophie Castle and Sarah Hume.

Jo Laine collected five trophies in her 14/15 age group, while Alison Cann won the two breaststroke trophies in the same section and Fay Sheppard the 100m butterfly.

Harriet Le Page was another multi winner scooping six trophies for her efforts in the 12/13 section, while Ella Snell and Luke Winberg were top 11-and-under winners.

Other special awards were:

Portsmouth Northsea Trophy for achievement: Alex Ford.

Joan Wilkinson Memorial Trophy for dedication to swimming: Karen Girard.

Lang Family Trophy for sportsmanship: Heather Chapman.