Although Tigers dominated in the middle to longer distance events, Jersey Swimming Club gave very good account of themselves in the shorter swimming disciplines and, with an increased number of swimmers, produced their best overall results for over ten years.Tigers coach Matt Magee said: ‘The standards were high, and Dan’s new record, coming straight off the back of the Olympic trials, was probably a reflection of the work he’s been putting in.’And he said that all the swimmers who swam at a level above the CI level – Rosie Barett, James Payne and Amira Ahmed – and those who improved on previous performances – should be recognised for the hard work they’ve done.For the JSC, president Neil Faudemer commented that the benefits gained by the swimmers after they had undergone training in the 50m pool in Spain recently meant that the youngsters had produced some of the best results in years.’This was the first time both clubs took that approach – I know the Tigers have done it in the past – but I’m sure we’ll be doing the same next year.
You can really see the progress the youngsters have made.’The first event, the girls 50m fly, was won by Katherine Gamlin (T) with a very confident performance, with Amy Pallot (T) fending off Louise Barrett (J) for second place.The junior girls in the same event saw only half a second separate the first three swimmers, Sarah-Jane Smith (T) narrowly beating Hayley Morris (T) and Jacy Brown (J).The boys senior fly event was won by Alexis Militis (T) with Justin Jégou (T) winning the junior section.The 50m backstroke saw comfortable wins for Abigail Faudemer (J) and Alexis Militis (T) in the girls and boys senior events respectively.Rhona Perkins (T) swam well in the junior event to narrowly beat Jemma Carter (J) while Robin Johnson (J) had to perform well to defeat Sam Fernandes (T), two years his junior.The girls 400m individual medley was a high class event with five of the competitors swimming inside the Island Games proposed qualifying time.In winning the event Rosie Barrett (T) narrowly missed breaking Natalie Bree’s previous record, but her time of 5.00.87 ensured that she will swim this event at the national championships later in the year.
There was a further national qualifying time in the junior age groups when 11-year-old Amira Ahmed (T) recorded a very impressive 5.40.41.In the junior section of the 400m IM, 12-year-old James Payne swam an exceedingly strong race and his time of 5.25.83 also ensured qualification to nationals.Rosie Barrett swam to a second national qualifying time of 1.06.17 in the girls 100m back and won the subsequent final, with Victoria Rebours (T) the winner in the junior section.The open event in the men’s 100m backstroke saw Daniel Halksworth (T) defeat Liam du Feu (T) and Peter Baudains (J).Sarah-Jane Poingdestre (T) won the final of the ladies open 100m backstroke, but in the junior section, Sarah-Jane Smith and Victoria Rebours (T) recorded the same time to one hundredth of a second to tie for first place.Damien Boucheré (T) narrowly missed breaking his own record in the men’s 100m breast-stroke while Michael Le Couilliard managed to beat his club rival James Payne in the junior sectionIn the 50m free Abigail Faudemer (J) fended off her fellow-club swimmer Katie Speller while Sarah-Jane Smith (T) placed first in the junior section of the same event in what proved to be the closest race of the weekend, with just 64 hundredths of a second separating the first five competitors.The session came to an end with the boys 50m freestyle which was a fiercely contested affair with Antoin Le Fèvre (J) swimming a very determined race to record his first ever individual win in an Island championship.Modie Ahmed was not to be outdone by his sister’s performances and he took the junior title.
In the final session Rosie Barrett again set the standard, winning the 100m fly heat in a national qualifying time of 1.05.89 – and it was not the only national qualifying time in this event as Amira Ahmed (T) recorded a time of 1.15.48 and, aged 11, has the distinction of two national age group times for the forthcoming championships at Sheffield.Militis (T) recorded another victory in the 100m fly with his two nearest rivals, Boucheré and Halksworth (T), finishing second and third respectively.Justin Jégou won the junior event convincingly in a time of 1.11.83.The final of the ladies 100m free produced a very exciting race, with Lauren Le Mière pulling off an excellent swim to beat her two rivals Barrett and Faudemer.
Militis (T) continued to impress when he swam a fast 52.63 in the men’s equivalent.The two final races produced great excitement when Sarah-Jane Poingdestre (T) narrowly beat off the tremendous challenge from Joanna Huelin (J) in the girls’ 50m breast-stroke and the junior event was even closer with Sarah-Jane Smith (T) winning on touch at the finish beating Victoria Rebours (T).
Boucheré (T), predictably, won the men’s 50m event with Robin Johnston (J) winning the junior race.
This was the first occasion that these championships have been held at Les Quennevais.
