Aquavision win Richard Whitehead trophy at National Age Group Championships

Aquavision’s 12 & Under Free team ensured the Richard Whitehead trophy stayed in North London thanks to a fine performance to close out the GoCardless Swim England Artistic Swimming National Age Group Championships 2024.

Following in the footsteps of London Regional’s win in 2023, Aquavision added to their success by securing this year’s crown. 

The result meant it was a third title for the second year running for their swimmer Victoria Sharashkina – who added to her solo and figures titles in the free team event.

She was joined by Aria Irving, Christina Kapiris, Elrene Palamaras, Emily Ellis, Emily Nixon, Sophia Bota, Ya Xi Tong with Carmen Harrison in reserve.

Palamaras spoke after receiving the medal and trophy saying: “It feels unreal, we really wasn’t expecting to win today. 

“The months of training seems to have gone by so quickly but we’re so happy to be here and win gold. We just want to keep our momentum going now as we aim for more medals later this year.”

The group put in a phenomenal display which was the only routine score to break the 60-point mark to assert themselves to the top of the leaderboard. 

The routine earnt them 63.3000 points that when combined with their figures earnt them an overall total of 116.3131. 

Portsmouth Victoria impressed to earn silver with a final score of 109.0030.

Their team of Ilektra Masmanidi, Jessica Lenn, Lily Madgwick, Madeleine Swandell and Sofia Gosden came into the event with the highest figure scores and they put in a routine to match to secure second place. 

City of Bristol rounded out the podium with their team of Agnes Rogers, Bonnie Wilshire, Harper Mosley-Mackenzie scoring 109.0030 for bronze. 

London Regional round off successful weekend

London Regional finished off a successful weekend with gold medal in the final event with their ‘Rio’ inspired routine.

The team of Andrea Eliasson, Elisa Kato, Evelyn Bernal, Georgina Steele, Lara Roddy, Maia Boundy, Shameiah Nanton and Valentina Kapiris scored 86.2000 in their routine to finish on 147.4936 overall.

That saw them secure gold and the YM Price trophy for the first time in a standout weekend for their young squad.

Second place went to City of Bristol, with a total score of 137.6489.

The team, which was made up of Anastasia Appleby, Bo Jones, Elspeth Brand, Hannah Gibbons, Indigo Harris, Joséphine Phillips, Lola Jones-Hackett and Thea Conway, with Josie Linehan and Annelie Jonsson as reserve, swam a werewolf themed routine that scored 79.9500.

Alexa Arrigoni, Amelia Raby, Cerys Snelling, Elizabeth Fox, Katerina Ivanov, Pippa Welch and Renee Coleman teamed up for Rushmoor Artistic Swimming Club’s bronze medal effort.

They recorded a total of 75.8500 for their routine taking their score to 131.5102.

Gibbons wins Shacklock trophy

City of Bristol’s Hannah Gibbons was awarded the Shacklock Trophy. 

This trophy is presented to the swimmer who has the highest total score across solo, duet, free team and free combination. 

Gibbons came away from the Championships with a medal of each colour to her name which helped propel her to the crown.

It was the team events where she stood out with Bristol’s gold in the returning Youth Combination event partnered with their silver in the Free Team competition. 

She also secured Youth Free Duet bronze alongside her partner, Bo Jones, whilst also placing in the top 10 in the solo competition.

Her result means that the trophy returns to Bristol for the first time in six years, after it was awarded to Greta Hampson in 2018.

Images: Will Johnston Photography