Congratulations to the following swimmers who have qualified for the British Summer Championships 2023.
British Summer Qualifiers
Events
Jellyfish encounters in the Varsity Channel Relay
Almost every other year since 1988, Cambridge and Oxford Universities have raced across the English Channel in the Varsity Channel Relay. Six swimmers, three male and three female, from each university race across the English Channel in hour long rotations from Dover until the French coastline of Calais is reached. The first ever race saw both teams starting in Dover and reaching France within 2 minutes of each other and according to the rules of the competition, the race was declared a draw. In the most recent event in 2021, Oxford stole the victory. Wetsuits are not permitted, so all that is protecting the swimmers from the 16 degree water (and jellyfish!) is a swimming costume, swim hat and a pair of goggles. Swimmers need to bring bags full of mental and physical determination for this challenging swim!
In July 2023, BSSC University Squad member Ellie Mason was selected as part of the Cambridge team and she shared her experience with our swimmers:
We kicked off at 10 to 3 on Friday morning with our first swimmer Flynn battling not only the toughest weather conditions but also the dark. Captain Evie took over for leg 2 and as a seasoned sea swimmer the water and dark didn’t phase her! By my swim at leg 6 (starting at 8.50am) we were in the uncharted waters and thus I was faced with the most debris, the changing currents and hundreds of jellyfish!! I managed to escape with only two bad stings (one to my nose and one on my thigh), and took us safely into French water. By 12pm France was 6km out and our 4th swimmer Jas was ready for her 2nd swim; with the performance of the day sprinted from the start, covering 6km in 47mins with the tide helping her. We touched in a time of 9hr47 minutes. Sadly ‘the other place’ beat us in an amazing time of 9hr3 minutes, but we still managed to beat the last Cambridge time set in 2021 !! Thank you, and the club, for all the support in reaching our fundraising goal for Parkinson’s UK and Cancer Research !!
Congratulations to Ellie and the whole team for their achievement!
In memory of Nick Thomas, the cofounder of the relay, the Cambridge team is raising money for Cancer Research UK. They are also raising money for Parkinson’s UK, with 25% of the money raised going to Cancer Research UK and 25% to Parkinson’s UK. The rest of the money raised will be going to help cover the substantial costs of boat hire, registration with the Channel Swimming Association and transport to Dover. Their JustGiving page can be found here.
More records tumble at Masters Open
One week after winning three Gold medals and smashing three new long course (50m) East Region records, BSSC Masters swimmer Lizzie Bellinger continued her golden record breaking form at the Derbyshire Open Masters Championships. Three more Gold medals and three short course (25m) East Region 45-49yr age group records were secured in the 100m Fly (1:07.60), 200m IM (2:39.07) and 50m Fly (30.48).
We’re looking forward to seeing her in action at the British Masters Championships early June.
BSSC Trio Compete with Britain’s Best
Huge congratulations to Ella Greatbatch, Kirsty Neill, Callum Cox, Lucy Wheeler and Niamh James who qualified for the 2023 British Swimming Championships held in April held at Ponds Forge, Sheffield. Qualification is based on meeting a single entry time for each event irrespective of age, so the under 18 trio of Ella (15 years), Kirsty (16 years) and Callum (17 years) had given outstanding performances in the run up to the Championships. Unfortunately, although they achieved Qualifying Times, both Kirsty Neill and Niamh James were unable to compete this year and we look forward to reporting on a future event where they have competed!
This annual event brings together the top swimmers in the country and with teams for many International events being selected from the championship results the Team GB squad were out in force and in amazing form (did you see the Mens 200m Freestyle final?!)!
Ella, Callum & Lucy swum superbly against the top swimmers in the Country, getting close to personal best times and ranking among the top in their age groups. Callum Cox reached the Junior Final of the Mens 50m Butterfly, coming 8th in a time of 25.95 seconds. He was also the 3rd fastest 17 year old. Ella Greatbatch was the 5th fastest 15 year old in Britain with her 200m Breaststroke time of 2:43.02 (64th position overall), whilst Lucy Wheeler was 57th overall in the 100m Freestyle (58.89).
Focus now turns to the East Region Championships and also qualifications for the British and English Summer Championships, where these swimmers will hopefully be joined by more BSSC members.
Ella Greatbatch – 200m Breaststroke
64th Open, 5th 15 year old (2:43.02)
Callum Cox – 50m Butterfly
52nd Open, 3rd 17 year old (25.62)
8th Junior Final (25.96)
Lucy Wheeler – 100m Freestyle
57th Open (58.89)
British Swimming Championships 2023 Qualifiers
Congratulations to all our swimmers who have qualified for this year’s British Swimming Championships! BSSC action kicks off on Weds 5th April with our youngest qualifier, 15 year old Ella Greatbatch, competing in the 200m Breaststroke. Good luck everyone.
