2013 European Masters
Held at the Pieter van den Hoogenband Sports Complex in Eindhoven, Holland
Master swimmers Jenny Ball and Rosemary Johnson, representing the Isle of Wight Marlins Swim Club, spent a week in September in the Netherlands competing in the European Championships with some very successful results, both bettering their entered times both in the 50 metre pool and in the somewhat murky water of the Eindhoven canal.
Swimming in her first year of the 75-79 years age group, Jenny won a bronze medal in the 400 freestyle on the second day of competition and silver in the Open Water 3 kilometre canal swim on the last day in a time of one hour and one minute, bettering her time by 14 seconds and a personal best for this distance in Open Water.
Rosemary also improved her time by 45 seconds and was delighted to be placed 4th. in the 70-74 years age group in a time of one hour 12 minutes, in the same event.
In the pool, Diplomas were awarded to swimmers in the top eight places, Rosemary gaining these in 800 freestyle (8th), 400 freestyle (7th.) and 200 backstroke (8th.) all with improved times since the Great Britain Masters Championships at the newly opened Plymouth Life Centre in June. Jenny too, collected Diplomas in all her five events with improved times in the longer distance events: 800 (4th.) and 400 freestyle (7.54.39), as well as 4th. in 100 backstroke and 200 freestyle and 6th. in 200 backstroke..
The event attracted over 6000 competitors over 25 years and up to 95 years old and involved all aquatic disciplines: swimming, diving, synchronized swimming and water polo.
Competitors were accommodated at the nearby Kempervennen Center Parcs giving the event a ‘village’ atmosphere where a range of events and activities were available.
The next European Masters Championships will be hosted in the UK at the 2012 Olympic Aquatic Centre in London in 2016, thus bringing international Masters’ Championships into line with other World and European events for the elite swimmers.
