Rushmoor and Bradford lead the way at the National Masters Championships

Rushmoor topped the medal table once again at the Artistic Swimming National Masters Championships, winning almost every event they entered.

The South East based club started the gold rush in the first event of the day, taking the 40-49 years Technical Duet title. Louise Ross and Rachel Davies edged out City of Bradford rivals by just over half a point.

This was then followed by Janice Brignell and Carla Sanders taking the title in the 50-59 years category, as the only pair in the category to break the 60 point barrier.

The Free Combination event saw the team add another gold to the tally in the 40-64 years category. The team – represented by Francesca Rice, Louise Ross, Carolyn Macdonald, Grace Reukers, Rachel Davies, Harriet Mutlow, Francesca Warwick, Jessica Smith, Emma Adams, Janice Brignull, Carla Sanders and Hannah Butcher – scored 62.3333 to finish over seven points clear of the rest of the field.

The club were also victorious in the 50-64 Technical Team, displaying an impressively executed routine.

To finish the day, Rushmoor took the wins in the 40-49, 50-59 and 60-69 Technical Solo categories, with Louise Ross, Carla Sanders and Carolyn Macdonald all performing beautifully to take the respective titles.

City of Bradford shine in team routines

City of Bradford also showed an impressive display in the team events. In the 18-24 category, the team of Orla Cassidy, Chloe Heaton, Katherine Gareis, Rachel Edwards, Hazel Webster, Elisabeth Brown and Felicity Welding took silver in the free combination event and gold in the technical team.

In the 25-39 category, the team of Rosie Barrington, Isobel Davies, Scarlet Garland, Gemma Hollas, Charlotte Hughes, Emma Knight, Bethany Seal and Lydia Thompson performed an identical feat, also taking a silver and gold in the same events.

In the technical team event, City of Bradford also took a bronze medal in the 35-39 category.

The event showcased a huge number of entrants with 111 routines swam throughout the day. Aquavison North London were the recipients of the highest score of the day, with a total of 69.9333 for their Free Combination routine.

Another standout performance belonged to City of Leeds’ Jeanne Ansley. The sole entrant in the 80-89 Technical Solo category, her routine was performed with grace to score 50.4200.

Photos: Will Johnston Photography