Nottinghamshire masters’ swimmers had significant success at the European Aquatics Championships in London, bringing home an impressive haul of medals and several British records from the most competitive championships ever.
Leading the way was Alex Thurston from Nottingham Leander (and also masters’ coach at Leander) who won gold in both 200m IM – in a British record time – and 100m fly, as well as silver in the 50 fly (35-39 age group). Individual bronze medal winners were Maria White of Nottingham Leander in the 50 fly (40-44 age group) and Michael Kerslake from Carlton Forum in the 100m Backstroke (40-44 age group).
There was also an impressive number of other individual top ten finishes – from Michael of Carlton Forum; from Maria, Lesley Wilde, Wendy Lockton, Rebeca Milnes, Mick Commons, Mike Brett and Carl Shaw of Nottingham Leander; and from Chris Gillard and Mark Patterson of Calverton and Bingham.
In the relay events Nottingham Leander won silver in the women’s 4×50 freestyle relay in the 100-119 age group (Stephanie Hill, Chloe Bracewell, Becky Milnes, Emma Carter) in another British record time, as well as two bronze medals – in the mixed 4×50 freestyle 200-239 age group, again with a British record (Kevin Harrison, Mike Brett, Maria White and June Boon) and in the women’s 200-239 age group 4×50 medley relay (Lesley Wilde, Maggie Kelly, Maria White and June Boon).
The Leander men’s 4×50 men’s freestyle for the 200-239 age group, of Kevin Harrison, Mike Brett, Michael Commons, Pete Abell, also broke the British record.
Altogether 58 swimmers from Nottinghamshire competed in the event – 38 from Leander, 12 from CABSC, 7 from Carlton Forum and one from Mansfield. Several enjoyed a return to competition after a long gap, and there were many East Midlands records and PBs.