British team to make seasonal debut in Paris

World Championship finalist Kate Shortman leads a strong British synchronised swimming squad competing in the first FINA Artistic Swimming World Series of the year.

The three-day French Open, which starts today (Friday, 9 March), takes place at the Stade Nautique Maurice-Thorez, in France.

Shortman, who lifted the Helen Elkington Trophy after winning Solo Free gold at the National Synchronised Swimming Championships in 2017, is competing in each event.

The City of Bristol swimmer is hoping to build on her successful season last year when she was the youngest competitor at the World Aquatics Championships, reaching the final in the Free Solo category.

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Team Manager Karen Thorpe said: “The French Open is now one of the biggest open championships. With only a few countries not attending, it will certainly be an interesting competition’

“China and Russia have their top and most experienced athletes here, along with the duet from Japan and new pair from Ukraine – we are very excited to see them swim’

“We will only be competing in the free team and both solo events. It will give us a good opportunity to see our competition.

“We are one of three teams made up of juniors here and the experience gained ahead of the junior Europeans and junior worlds will be invaluable.”

The schedule includes the Technical Team, Technical Duet and Technical Solo events on Friday, the Free Team on Saturday and the Free Solo on Sunday.