Parfit's nigh perfect start to new-look season

A DEMANDING programme of all five disciplines swum in just one session saw some encouraging results in the first major event of the season - the 100m spring gala at Beau Sejour. Staged by the Guernsey Amateur Swimming Association and involving swimmers from the two local clubs, it provided a chance for emerging talent to shine, with many of the 'establishment' now away at university or on their travels.

One such new star was Victoria Parfit, 14, who out-swam the opposition in the senior backstroke, individual medley and breaststroke to take three golds.

The butterfly and freestyle went to Barracudas team-mate Robyn Le Friec.

The senior boys section saw Jeremy Osborne enter just two events - the individual medley and the freestyle - where he took gold in both.

Meanwhile, an outstanding personal best in the 100m backstroke came from James Jurkiewicz as he touched in 1-02.71. He also took silver in the butterfly and bronze in the freestyle.

In the 13 years and under category David Hall and Kristina Neves dominated, each winning three gold, one silver and one bronze medal.

Hall's first placings came in the backstroke, individual medley and freestyle. He had to settle for silver in the breaststroke, which went to Luke Belton and bronze in the butterfly, which went to a very determined Joe Ogier with Luke Winberg in silver medal position. Neves, still only 11, topped the podium in the individual medley, butterfly and freestyle, with Lotte Parfit, touching first in the backstroke and Nicole Hewlett taking a well-earned gold in the breaststroke.

Swimmers now have just nine weeks to prepare for the island championships, being held for the first time in November.

The change is to help the swimmers on the ladder to success by placing the island championships before the CI event in January, prior to the county championships in the spring.

Swimmers will be looking to achieve their Hampshire qualifying times in November with a chance to improve on them in January.