Shortman and Thorpe finish 10th in Duet Tech at Europeans

Kate Shortman and Isabelle Thorpe opened their 2018 European Championship campaign with a 10th place finish in the Duet Tech in Glasgow.

The teenage British pair improved on their score from last month’s Junior European Championships, scoring 80.2820 for their routine.

Shortman and Thorpe were competing a Duet Tech for the first time at a major senior championship, having finished 16th in the Duet Free on their World Championship debut 12 months ago.

But the English teenagers – 17 (Thorpe) and 16 (Shortman) – continued to look at home on the senior international stage.

Their score was less than 0.2 shy of triple Olympian Olivia Federici and double Olympian Katie Clark’s effort at the last European Championships in London two years ago.

Shortman and Thorpe will be looking to secure another top 10 finish in the Duet Free competition, having set a competitive best of 82.9000 to finish 10th at July’s World Junior Championships.

The elements were world class

“We were really pleased with the elements,” said Swim England Synchro manager Karen Thorpe.

“The last one could have been a bit better, but the others were world class.

“Considering they have changed from junior to senior elements in five days, against a field of seniors who have been training these all year, we’re very happy.

“The duet are swimming their free routine tomorrow morning and are feeling up for showing what they can do.”

• Head to MicroPlus Timing to view full results from Glasgow.