Hollingsworth benefits from a week in the sun

TOM HOLLINGSWORTH had a smashing time at the weekend's Guernsey Electricity Island Championships. The 17-year-old, proving to be the dominant force in the Beau Sejour pool this year, won eight of the nine he entered and finished second in the other.

He took six championship records, five island short-course records and one all-comers pool mark in the 50m backstroke. He also achieved Commonwealth Games qualifying times in four events.

Hollingsworth put some of his success down to the Beau Sejour Barracudas' week-long training camp in Lanzarote a few weeks ago.

'That's helped quite a lot,' he said.

Hollingsworth, who has just been selected for the Hampshire county elite programme, now appears to have realistic medal and even gold chances in this summer's NatWest Island Games.

Jeremy Osborne, the 14-year-old flyer from the Barracudas, is also on the Hampshire list, though he is expecting to be recalled by GB Swimming possibly to join its world class elite programme later this year.

He, too, enjoyed plenty of success over the weekend, winning all 11 events he entered in his age group and setting new age records with every swim.

News was not so good for the third member of that elite squad, Christine Hume, from the Guernsey Swimming Club. She won her first swim, the 200m breaststroke for her age group, but aggravated a shoulder injury and withdrew from the rest of the weekend.

Gail Strobridge, returning from university in Southampton for the event, dominated the women's section, winning all 12 of her events, though she failed to achieve any records. Her main aim of achieving Island Games qualifying times in a 25m pool was achieved, however.

And a new star in the making in women's swimming has been unearthed in 10-year-old Cody Butcher, who won 10 of the 11 age- group swims she entered.

There were new records for three 10-year-olds: Luke Belton and Charlie Spano both set three, while fellow Barracuda Joe Ogier added one more.

Records also tumbled for Matthew Robert (50m breaststroke), Ben Lowndes (200m breaststroke) and Robyn Le Friec (50m butterfly).

Both Barracudas and GSC coaches Alison Frankland and Jo Winberg respectively were delighted with the event and particularly the performances from their younger swimmers.

'We are very strong at nine and 10,' said Winberg.

'I would love to have a sponsor come in and sponsor this group. Our junior coach, Jocelyn Gill, has done a superb job with them - they are the future of the club.'