A team of twelve Clissold Masters brought home a huge haul of 24 medals from the ASA South East Region Long Course Masters Open competition on Saturday 30th January. Clissold men’s team of Ellis Ruddick, Tim Case, Justin Costley and Laurie Thompson beat stiff competition from south London’s Spencer swim team and a group of shaven and suntanned Milanese men to bring home golds in both the 200 freestyle (time 1:55.69) and 200 medley team (2:12.72) races.
The women’s team of Camilla Allwood, Amanda Welch, Katie Ward and Kathryn Mason won bronze medals in the same events. A great effort from David Vail doing both the back and freestyle legs meant that a second mens team completed the medley relay with only three swimmers. David and his relay team mates Chris Kaethner and Danny Diskin were both competing in their first ever Masters meet.
There was also individual success for many of the club swimmers. Amanda Welch won gold (65-70 yrs 200 breast, 4:53.48) and bronze medals (400 free, 8:56.28). Chris Kaethner struck gold in the 50 breast at the Sunday session in the 55 to 60 years (time 36.26) to add to the silver medal he’d won to match his hair in the mens’ 100 breaststroke (55-60 yrs 1:24.72). There were bronze medals for Aussie exiles Tim Case (30-35 yrs 200 free, 2:24.48) and Kathryn Mason (40-45 yrs 200 breast, 3:52.21 and 50 back 43.74) as well as Laurie Thompson (25-30 yrs 50 back, 32.74) Camilla Allwood (50-55 yrs 100 back, 2:03.54) and Katie Ward (35-40 yrs 50 fly, 38.97).
The annual event was held at the K2 pool, Crawley. The next Masters meet will be entering is the Essex Masters on Saturday 8th May, please contact Katie Ward (drkatieward@me.com) if you are interested in competing.
Absolutely fantastic result. Brilliant! —Katie Ward
