Welsh contingent bolster huge entry

A LARGE Welsh contingent has made the three-day Beau Sejour Barracudas Open which starts this evening the biggest for some years. Barracudas have had to turn away nearly 300 entries, yet still 250 swimmers representing 35 clubs from the Channel Islands and the UK, will take to the water.

'The majority of those turned away are our own local youngsters,' said Barracudas coach Alison Frankland.

'We've got to make the programme viable and simply can't accept everybody,' she added.

The Welsh contingent are divided into three regions representing north Wales, south-west Wales and south- east Wales with each district covering eight clubs.

Other visiting clubs include Basingstoke Blue Fins, Holywell, Crawley, Haywards Heath and St Felix School.

The 18th open features over 1,900 swims and the meet is designed to allow swimmers to achieve their national qualifying times.

From the host club in the open section, Thomas Hollingsworth is top seed in no fewer than five events, namely 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke, 200m individual medley and 200m butterfly, while the breaststroke is dominated by Rob Holderness of the south-east Wales region.

Barracuda Jonathon Le Noury appears as top seed in the distance freestyle events with Robyn Le Friec looking set to top the rostrum in the 100m and 200m butterfly and 200m freestyle.

Guernsey Swimming Club's Christine Hume is top seed in the 200m breaststroke but faces some tough opposition in the 100m and the 50m event from Sarah Jane Smith of Tigers.

The latter's Simon Le Couilliard looks set to fly in the butterfly sprints.

There are some very strong youngsters in the 12 and under section again from the south-east Wales district with Jeuan Lloyd and Hannah Kane-Roberts looking very strong, the latter appearing in the top heat of the 50m fly as fourth seed overall.

Frankland said it was great to see such a large number of visiting swimmers coming to the island once again and paid tribute to those who had done most to organise the event.

'Sue Paul and her team of helpers have worked so hard to get it together.

'We are also extremely grateful for the continued support of the community action team of club sponsors NRG International, the main sponsors of this event.'