Reprieve lifts spirits of island swim team

JEREMY OSBORNE did somersaults when he heard news of his reprieve and selection for the 2006 Commonwealth Games. Both the 15-year-old and Ian Hubert were added to Guernsey's swimming team for Melbourne in March after the GCGA made a dramatic u-turn and selected the two specialist sprinters. They were picked after the Guernsey Amateur Swimming Association advised the selectors that they were unable to compile a relay team with the swimmers initially chosen to go.

Osborne was naturally delighted with having the opportunity to pit himself against some of the best swimmers in the world.

'It's going to be great to get to see them swim,' said the Elizabeth College student.

'I'm very happy. I was a little disappointed when I wasn't picked but I wasn't expecting anything.

'I'm working really hard at the moment and I'm very grateful to be given the opportunity. I'm looking forward to it.'

Hubert is currently in Jamaica where he and Commonwealth Games teammate Jonathan Le Noury is attending former island swimmer John Tomlin's wedding.

Another Games pick off island at the moment is Tom Hollingsworth, who is in Canada for Christmas.

According to team coach Alison Frankland all of the swimmers are continuing their training with Hollingsworth linking up with a Canadian team to take advantage of a 50m Olympic size pool.

Back in the island, Frankland is keeping her eye on the rest of the team that has been bolstered with the recent arrival of Ian Powell and Gail Strobridge.

Powell is on a scholarship at Florida State University while Strobridge is a student at Southampton University.

Morale was low in the camp when news was released that Osborne and Hubert had not made the cut.

'Initially they were disappointed,' said Frankland.

'They train together as a team and as a family and when Jeremy and Ian didn't get in, everyone was on a low. But now they are on a high.

'We can now practise our relay turns and think about our team effort. I'm thrilled for Ian and Jeremy. It's a lot of preparation, then not to be selected is a huge disappointment.'

Undoubtedly the best chance Guernsey has of any success is in the relay events where going by their previous times, a place in the finals is not out of the question.

As pure sprinters, Osborne and Hubert are integral to their relay plans.

Frankland also has dreams of individual successes.

'Both Jeremy and Ian are splendid sprinters,' she said.

'We have hope in the individual events. Ian Powell has represented Great Britain and I'm hoping he will reach a final in the 200m backstroke.

Tom has shown in a couple of events. He's achieved the times and he's looking good.

'We've never had the strength in depth in swimming as we've got at the moment.'