Rushmoor swimmers star in opening session of Masters Nationals

Rushmoor Artistic Swimming Club’s Rachel Davies and Carolyn Macdonald are hoping to carry on the club’s legacy as they struck gold in the opening session of the GoCardless Swim England Artistic Swimming National Masters Championships.

They took the 50–59 and 60–69 Years golds respectively as the Free Solo and Free Combination events kicked off this year’s Championships at Ponds Forge, Sheffield.

The results meant a lot to the pair on the back of more Masters success at the European Championships as they look to continue to push the 24 time national champions name to the top of the artistic swimming world.

Speaking on her success, Davies said, “I’m really pleased with our performances, especially as Rushmoor have just returned from Serbia on Wednesday after competing in the European Masters.

“All our routines for solo events are self-coached and we are glad that we can create interesting routines and carry on Rushmoor’s Legacy.”

Second place, in the 50-59 age group, was awarded to Jonna Penney from City of Bristol SC as she scored 57.6000. Cheltenham Artistic Swimming Club’s Sarah Pullan strong display gave her a score of 52.5333 was which meant she secured the bronze.

Susan Innes’s routine, in the 60 – 69 group, scored 53.4000 earning, Out To Swim London the first of their two silvers in this year’s solo events.

‘We didn’t want to miss out on the fun’

Natasha Howard from City of Preston Aquatics Swimming Club took first place for her routine in the 18–24 age group – which was the division with the most entries. She received an impressive score of 67.9000.

It was close between second and third place, however Bristol swimmers took both those spots. Marie-Ange Siegfried scored 65.5000 and was awarded silver, whilst Nia Rushton, closely followed with her Jazz routine which was given a score of 65.333.

It was both the swimmers first time competing in the National Masters Championships.

Siegfried said: “Nia and I made a last-minute decision to compete in the Masters Competition as we did not want to miss out on the fun.”

Rushton added: “I’m new to solo so this is only the second time I’ve competed in this event. As me and Natasha are from the same club, we have been able to encourage and help each other out. For example, Natasha taught me how to perfect solo arms.”

City Of Leeds Swimmer, Rosie Barrington, secured a gold medal in the 25-29 division with a score of 66.5000. Second place was given to another Bristol swimmer, Laura Petty, which added to their club’s success. She was awarded 62.6000, followed by Anabelle Byrnes from Team Bath Artistic Swimming Club who finished third.

In the 30–39 age group, we saw Rushmoor, Out to Swim London and Trafford Artistic Swimming Club securing their first medals of the day.

Louise Ross, representing Rushmoor, took the lead with her routine which was awarded 66.5000 on the back of her four golds at the European Masters Championships in Belgrade.

Martin Harding received a silver medal for Out to Swim London with a score of 55.9333. Third place was awarded to Jessica Sanders who scored 53.2333.

The second largest age group to compete was 40–49, where Elizabeth Winter, from Aquavision North London Swim Club, took first place by two points.

It was close between second and third, however, Janice Brignull secured second spot and another medal for Rushmoor, with a routine scoring 57.6000. Marion Grimes took home the bronze with a score of 57.0000.

“Surreal to win”

After the excitement of yesterday’s GoCardless Swim England Artistic Swimming Combo Cup, the masters Free Combination didn’t disappoint.

The routines, which includes multiple swimmers and allows for solo, duet and team displays within the group performance.

In this years National Masters Championships, all the teams were incredibly close to securing podium places.

But Walsall Artistic Swimming Club’s Isabelle Watkins, Madeleine Bayliss-Cox, Chalani Appuhamilage, Laura Burt and Philippa Dolby had a five-point lead in the 18–24 age group to earn themselves a gold medal.

Speaking on the victory, Appuhamilage said “It is surreal that we’ve been able to win again, especially as the team were nervous and we have less team members.

“We have had a lot to prepare for including solo routines, but we hope that our other swim in the Free Team event does just as well!”

Norwich Synchro Club’s rock routine performed by Amy Reynolds, Daisy Viner, Emily Gower, Emily Hatwell, Freya Nevard and Lois Nevard scored 53.1333 which led to them receiving second place.

Hatfield Swimming Club were awarded a score of 50.2667 which meant their Swimmers Isabelle England, Phoebe Sandon, Ciara Lynn and Zoe Parnham would each take home a bronze medal.

Bradford and Rushmoor finish off the morning with gold

In the 25 – 39 age group, City of Bradford Artistic Swimming Cub came out on top. Their routine scored 62.7333 thanks to Freya Birch, Keeva Cassidy, Orla Cassidy, Gemma Hollas, Charlotte Hughes, Emma Knight, Isabella Lister Smith, Bethany Seal and Lydia Thompson.

Aquavision North London Swimmers Alecia Gould, Alicia Day, Gabriela Rosales, Ardon, Katerina Sage, Kendra Semple, Madeleine Berry, Margaret Steinbach, Naomi Gould, Natalija Ambrazaite, Orla Khan, Elizabeth Winter and Ainhoa Comino followed closely and came second with their score of 62.3000.

Four teams were all within a point of each other in the battle for bronze. However, Rykneld Swimming Club scored 56.4000, which earnt them a place on the podium.

Mia Hudson, Alyssa Ward, Rebekah Nash, Katie Hibbs, Evie Mae Greenhalgh, Marianne Bogdanovich, Lauren Tann, Pauline Bogdanovich, Olivia Shelton and Emma Hewitt took to the podium for the club in what was a incredibly competitive division!

Rushmoor were able to claim their fourth gold medal of the day, in the 40–64 age group, after a fantastic performance by Emma Adams, Janice Brignull, Rachel Davies, Francesca Feast, Carolyn Macdonald, Tara Mcmanus, Harriet Mutlow, Carrie Nightingale, Grace Reukers, Louise Ross and Francesca Warwick.

Rugby Swimming Club’s routine to ‘Proud Mary’ by Tina Turner impressed the judges and therefore they were awarded a silver medal. Their team consisted of Sandra Anstruther, Julie Bowler-Smith, Satumaria Ford, Ruth Maccallum, Annette Parker, Catherine Reekie, Alison Richardson and Joyce Williams.

In third place were Cheltenham’s team of Sarah Pullan, Samantha Fancourt, Jocelyn Butt, Paula Margretts, Tom Rackham, Sarah Lloyd, Rosie Hume, Chiara Tirloni and Sarah Smith for their performance which earned a score of 53.3000.

This afternoon the GoCardless Swim England National Masters Championships 2024 concludes with the Free Duet, Free Mixed Duet and Free Team events. You can follow all the scores here.

Image: Will Johnston Photography.

Story written by Lydia Cooper.