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Rochford's Heidi Nevin goes back-to-back with 3km open water title

Heidi Nevin won back-to-back titles at the Swim England Open Water National Masters Championships, adding 3km gold to her 5km triumph earlier in the day.

The Rochford swimmer began the day with a comfortable win over the longer distance, taking the 5km 50-54 age group title in an impressive 1:19.45.

She showed no signs of fatigue in backing up for the 3km just a couple of hours later, cruising to victory in 48:38.

She was trailed by Lynne Hargrave, while Hemel Hempstead’s Hilary Coulson won bronze in 1:00:36.

Otter’s Hayley Davis also claimed her second gold medal of the day, winning the 35-39 title.

Davis won the 5km by seven minutes and she was again dominant in the second of her three events, taking the win in 45:12.

Anne Turner edged out Colchester’s Katie Holmes to win silver.

The fastest time of the event came in the 25-29 age group as Guildford City’s Hannah Kitchen clocked 43:22 to win gold.

Kitchen was almost two minutes quicker than any other swimmer as she topped the podium ahead of Corsham’s Laura Atkinson (45:34) and City of Coventry’s Emma Hooton (55:05).

Double gold for Loughborough

Loughborough’s Elaine Seager won gold in her first year in the 55-59 age group.

She clocked 51:28, with Teddington’s Elizabeth Torode claiming silver.

Seager’s Loughborough teammate Lucy Sharp had earlier won the 18-24 title in 49:06, beating out Thirsk’s Jasmine Harrison (49:32).

Long Eaton’s Chloe Blaydon won bronze in 50:34.

City of Coventry’s Kelly Burnage was the standout in the 40-44 age group, winning by more than four-and-a-half minutes.

Burnage clocked 47:41, with Sarah Windo (52:15) her nearest challenger.

Southwold’s Zoe Ward won bronze in 53:43.

Cirencester’s Jacqueline Blastland and Tiverton’s Susan Haigh enjoyed a tight battle for overall placings as they won their respective age groups.

Blastland pulled clear to finish in 54:13 for gold in the 60-64 event, with Haigh just seven seconds behind to take out the 65-69 title.

Meanwhile, there were also wins for Fareham Nomads’ Laura Molyneaux (30-34), Lincoln Vulcans’ Suzanne Hegg (45-49), Mid Sussex Marlins’ Alison Gwynn (70-74 and Ryde SC’s Jenny Ball (80-84).

Photo: Will Johnston Photography

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