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Mixture of youth and experience as GB swimmers prepare for LEN Cup test

A number of young British open water swimmers will get a taste of international competition during the first leg of the 2019 LEN Cup in Israel.

Ten British swimmers are taking part in 10k races at the LEN Open Water Cup on Sunday 31 March in the Red Sea resort of Eilat.

Jack Burnell and Danielle Huskisson bring a wealth of experience to the team facing a stern early season challenge against some of the world’s best open water swimmers, who will be looking to push for a place at this summer’s World Championships in Korea.

Burnell, who has already qualified for the World Championships, said it was great so many younger swimmers would gain valuable experience from the event.

He added: “Eilat provides me with a massive opportunity to race some of the top guys in Europe at the moment whilst continuing to train hard. 

“I’m not tapering and want to push my body to the extreme so that my coach and I can see where I am as I continue my World Champs preparations.

“The goal for this race is not result focused but how I work through my race day preparations and the different phases of the race.

The GB swimmers competing in Eilat

  • Jack Burnell
  • Leah Crisp
  • Alice Dearing
  • Polly Holden
  • Nathan Hughes
  • Danielle Huskisson
  • Maisie Macartney
  • Hector Pardoe
  • Tobias Robinson
  • Emilia Sansome

“It’s great that we will be joined by some younger up-and-coming talent from across the UK. 

“It’s vital for them to see and experience the dynamics of an elite level race.

“The LEN Cup means they are able to mix with elite open water swimmers and for them it’s about learning and familiarising themselves with the race environment.”

Team leader Mike Parker, who is also Swim England national talent officer for swimming and open water technical lead, said: “The group will be using the opening leg of the 2019 cup in Eilat to assess the impact of their winter training. 

“This race also provides an excellent opportunity for younger swimmers to attend a high level competition and mix with both Britain’s and Europe’s best open water athletes.

“Both Jack [Burnell] and Danielle [Huskisson] bring a wealth of high level international experience to the squad and they will act as mentors imparting key knowledge throughout the British camp.”

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