Charlie-Joe Hallett set a new Island long course record in the 50m breaststroke, travelling over with 6 of his fellow Guernsey Swimming Club swimmers they attended the Portsmouth Northsea Level 1 Open Meet held over 4 days over the Easter weekend. This long course event was held at Mountbatten Leisure centre in Portsmouth in their 50m pool.
Being the highest level of swimming competition 51 clubs attended the meet from around the UK and Isle of White, even though tough qualification times were set, the meet was oversubscribed which led to a very full programme of events over the 4 days with 254 girls entered into the 50m freestyle. The Guernsey swimmers putting in some great swims, gaining Southeast regional times and moving up the national rankings.
Charlie-Joe Hallett had a great meet making 5 finals and breaking the Island Long course record for the 50m breaststroke which was previously set at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow by Luke Belton. Although it was great to break the Island record, Charlie-Joe was disappointed not to go under the 30 second mark finishing 3rd in the heats in 30.00 making the senior final. The final was a tough race with Charlie-Joe finishing 2nd overall in a very close finish and he will have another chance to next weekend at the South East Regional Championships.
14 year old Samuel Lowe made 5 junior finals finishing 3rd in the 200m butterfly maintaining his form whilst still preparing for the South East regionals and Island Games. Laura Le Cras swam in three of the senior finals finishing 3rd overall in the 50m Breaststroke just missing out on medals in the 50m butterfly and freestyle. Although Laura has a full set of Regional time she will not attend so that she can concentrate on her upcoming GSCE exams and Island Games training.
Ronny Hallett had a good meet improving on his long course times having a cracking swims in the 50m breaststroke & 50m freestyle gaining him entry into the South East regionals, whilst team mate Luke Le Cras had some great personal best times swimming well in the breaststroke races and going under the 30 second mark for the first time in 50 freestyle long course. Isabelle Gaudion and Kiia Walker also had some excellent swim with this being Kiia’s fist long course event gaining valuable experience in the processes.
Full results for the Guernsey Swimming Club swimmers here.