Records set to tumble as Masters hit Beau Sejour

THROW 200 swimmers into a pool and things are going to get exciting. At least that is what the organisers of the 15th OCS Guernsey Swimming Club Open International Masters' Meet are hoping.

This year sees a near record entry, with a total of 211 arriving in Guernsey from as far afield as the United States, Spain, Wales, England and Jersey.

Altogether, they will compete in 1,250 events over three days at Beau Sejour from today and with competitors ranging in age from 19 to 83, it proves that despite advancing years, the will to win is always there.

Among the swimmers are former Olympians, world and national record holders and Commonwealth Games competitors, so records are set to tumble in the pool this year.

One star is American John Mangrum, who swims for both Raleigh Area and North Carolina Masters and has regularly been a top ten finisher in the World Games. His fellow countryman, Jon Blank, is the current US record holder in the 100m and 200m breaststroke.

Former Spanish Olympic swimming team member Joaquin Canales de Mendoza joins fellow Spaniard Josep Claret in the pool. The latter is the current butterfly world record holder at 50m and European record holder of the 50m and 100m

butterfly.

Among the women are 79-year-old Susan Halter, who swam for Hungary in the London Olympics in 1948, and the ever-present Jane Asher, who at 75 still holds all six 70-74 age-group records and this year has already set new world records in 400m and 800m freestyle, 50m butterfly, 50m backstroke and the 100m individual medley.

Hoping to make an impact at a local level are Edinburgh Commonwealth Games swimmer Tim Lowe, who at 39 is a mere youngster, and Roger Allsopp, who is swapping saltwater for the less choppy surroundings of the Beau Sejour pool.

More than 850 medals - Guernsey coins in £2, £1 and 50p denominations - are up for grabs.