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Roberto Pavoni dominates Masters 1.5km race

The National Masters Open Water Swimming Championships began today with the 1.5km Masters race at Rother Valley Country Park, part of the ASA National Open Water Festival.

The 1.5km race was split into three waves, the first two of male competitors and the final wave made up of female competitors.

London 2012 Olympian Roberto Pavoni was the first across the line and the fastest overall for the men.

Better known for his pool exploits, the Loughborough swimmer dominated the men’s event, swimming 18:55 for gold in the 25-29yrs age group.

“It feels really good to get a gold medal, it’s been loads of fun for me today,” said Pavoni, who trains with Rio-bound open water star Jack Burnell at Loughborough.

“I had a bit of disappointment earlier in the year not making the Olympic team. So I’ve had a few months to work out what I want to do with my future.”

Harry Crisp retains 18-24 yrs title

Last year’s 1.5km champion, Harry Crisp, managed to retain his title in the 18-24yrs age group. The Norwich swimmer was pushed all the way by Beccles Town’s Oliver Postle. Crisp took the gold with a time of 20:22.

Crisp said, “I feel exhausted, I had a fair amount of time off for university, about 30 weeks off, so I have been training for the last two and a half months desperately trying to get ready.

“I have the 3k this afternoon and the 5k tomorrow. I’m looking forward to the 5k. I prefer longer distances as it takes me a while to get into a rhythm.”

Rugby swimmer, Kelly Dughmosh, swam a terrific race in the 35-39yrs age group, finishing over three seconds ahead of second place. She was fourth fastest overall for the women, and took gold in her age group with 21:42.

Dughmosh commented, “It feels brilliant to get a medal, I really enjoyed it. I wanted to get a medal, so I am really pleased that I did, but I just wanted to try my best as I have been training really hard. I’ve been doing three to four pool sessions a week plus one open water session, it is a pretty hectic training schedule.”

Jennifer Titterington of Cambridge also successfully defended her title in the 18-24 age group swimming 21:29 for gold, as did Rotherham Metro’s Keith Godbehere, winning the 80-84yrs age group with 36:00.

Other 1.5km Masters race gold medallists

  • Kimberley Bell – Manchester Tri
  • Christopher Johansen – City of Oxford
  • Kate Nicholson – Newcastle
  • Nick Valentine – Newcastle
  • Andrew Martin – Cardiff Masters
  • Rachel Lloyd – Rugby
  • David Warren – London Otter
  • Claire Thorn – West Mid Police
  • Julian Plumley – Newcastle
  • Suzanne Hollick – City of Lincoln
  • Brian Bain – Silver City
  • Andrew Huckle – Wycombe District
  • Valerie Thorp – City of Derby
  • Richard Goddard – Impington
  • Michael Read – Brighton
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