Laugher and Mears to kick off 2017 season in Plymouth

Olympic champions Jack Laugher and Chris Mears will start their 2017 campaign at this weekend’s British National Cup in Plymouth.

The City of Leeds pair will aim to win the National Cup 3m Synchro title for the first time on Friday.

Mears has won the prize twice before – with Peter Waterfield in 2010 and with Nick Robinson-Baker the following year.

Laugher, who also won 3m Springboard silver at Rio 2016, will also compete in the individual 1m and 3m events in Plymouth.

The 22-year old won both Springboard titles at the National Cup in 2014, 2012 and 2011.

City of Sheffield’s defending champion Freddie Woodward opposes in both individual events. Luton’s Ben Cutmore, who was named England Programmes Athlete of the Year for Diving in 2016, is also entered in the 3m as well as the individual Platform.

Daley to compete in Mixed Synchro events

Tom Daley has opted not to defend his individual Platform title, leaving the door open to the likes of World Junior bronze medallist Matthew Dixon (Plymouth) and last year’s silver medallist Matty Lee (City of Leeds).

Dan Goodfellow, who won Olympic bronze alongside Daley in the 10m Synchro last summer, is also entered in the individual event, having switched to train at City of Leeds this season.

Daley does line up in the two mixed events, teaming up with Grace Reid in the Mixed 3m Synchro and Tonia Couch in the Mixed Platform Synchro.

Triple Olympian Couch also skips in the individual Platform in favour of the 10m Synchro with Lois Toulson.

In the women’s springboard events, World Junior 1m champion Katherine Torrance could prove one of the biggest challengers to Scotland’s Reid, who finished eighth in the 3m on her Olympic debut in 2016.

Top