Welsh Open Long Course & Bracknell Short Course – March

The first weekend of March saw both Karen MacKenzie & Jo Mitchinson once again in record breaking form, albeit in different locations.

In Swansea, Jo beat her own East Region’s 40 – 44 years’ 200m Backstroke record set in January to win in a time of 2:42.58. Completing a hat-trick of Beds County Masters records, Jo won her 400m Freestyle  in 5:12.13 whilst being pipped in the 50m Backstroke into the silver medal position. Jo’s time of 36.13 seconds lowered Karen’s record for that age group.

Karen, in Bracknell, meanwhile demolished the Beds County 50 – 54 years’ 200m Backstroke by over 30 seconds to finish second in 2:54.63 . Her 50m Backstroke, where she claimed third spot, and 50m Freestyle times of 37.27 and 33.05 seconds also set new Club Masters records for Karen’s “new” age group.

Colin Mayes had “walk-over” victories in his 65 – 69 years’ 100m and 200m Individual medley swims.

Sth East Masters Long Course – Crawley: January

Two East Region, four County and eight Club records with three Gold, six Silver and three Bronze medals. That’s the way to kick start the new Masters season!

The East Region records were claimed by Jo Mitchinson. She swept to victory in the 40 – 44 years’ 100m and 200m Backstroke with times of 1:16.84 and 2:44.50. Jo also took home a bronze medal for her 50m Butterfly, finishing one place ahead of Michelle Neal.

Not to go home empty handed, Michelle Neal collected a silver for her 50m Freestyle as did Kelly Cooke in the 45 – 49 years’ age group whilst matching Michelle’s 50m Butterfly placing.

Moving up into the 50 -54 years’ age group, Karen MacKenzie won gold (50m Freestyle), two silvers (100m Backstroke & 200m Individual Medley) and a bronze medal (200m Backstroke). Karen’s times of 3:09.90 and 3:02.06 in the two longer events demolished the existing Beds County records for that age group whilst both of her shorter events produced new Club Masters’ records.

Sam Bradley also took the opportunity of moving up an age group to  set new Club Masters’ records for the Men’s 30 – 34 years’ 200m Freestyle, 100m & 200m Backstroke. Silver medals came with both his Backstroke swims but he had to settle for a bronze for the 200m Freestyle.