Tom back for good times
TOM HOLLINGSWORTH has travelled from the other end of the world to take on the three-day Sure Island Championships weekend.
The Barracudas veteran and 49-time Island Games medallist, who is still based in Australia as he has been for most of this year, wants a spot on the home team at Guernsey 2023 in what could be the ideal swansong to his glimmering career.
As the rush continues to secure Games standards before the qualifying window ends in December, what better place to do so than at Beau Sejour?
‘It gives me an excuse to come home,’ he said ahead of a competition that starts tomorrow.
Hollingsworth, 34, did not find his best form during his last major competition in May but now feels he is in ‘pretty good’ shape, having put together a few solid months of training Down Under.
‘I am feeling strong and feeling pretty fit,’ he added.
‘It’s lovely to be home and I am looking forward to racing against the others in Guernsey.’
Fellow Barracuda Tom Teasdale has also put his name in the hat to contest a Games place, having only recently returned to competition after rupturing his ACL in May 2021.
Otherwise the field will feature a healthy complement of Guernsey’s top swimmers, including four of the eight who recently represented the Island at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games – Jonny Beck, Samuel Lowe, Laura Le Cras and Molly Staples.
Former Mount Kelly student Owain Edwards will be pushing for his first Games place and could well test the top senior swimmers following his move to Grammar Sixth Form and regular Barracudas training.
Competitive action starts at 6.15pm tomorrow and there will be five different sessions, with the last taking place on Sunday morning.
