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Spectators were treated to a thrilling display of competitive diving at the Quays Swimming and Diving Complex, when teams from across England converged on the venue to take part in the 6th Southampton Invitational Diving Competition at the weekend. The home team was particularly successful, taking 36 of the 90 medals on offer and the team trophy with 536 points against second placed Plymouth who scored 220 points. Over 100 competitors took part in one of the country's biggest annual events for elite clubs, performing on 1m and 3m springboards and 5m, 7.5m and 10m platforms. There were events for divers aged from 8 years upwards and several members of GB international teams were entered. The most successful members of Southampton Diving Academy's team were Chris Farrow (15) and Jack Clewlow (17), who both claimed gold in all three of their events. Entering every final in second place Chris demonstrated his competitive drive by putting in solid consistent performances each time that earned him his gold medals. In Group A Jack was in a different class as compared to the rest of the field, taking gold on all three boards with ease. Competition was fiercest in the lower age groups, with fields of almost 20 divers per event. Nonetheless, Eleanor Fleming (11) scooped two golds on springboard and just missed out on a medal on platform, where she came 4th. Introducing an inward 2 ½ somersaults to her repertoire on the 3m springboard, she used it to good effect, attracting scores of 8 to help her to her great result. Group C's Georgie Wingrove (11) and Ryan Strudwick (12) both did well to take 2 golds and a silver apiece. Learning a new dive just minutes before her final on the 1m board paid off for Georgie when she took scores of 6 to secure the gold. Ryan was also using a new dive on 10m platform. His inward 2 ½ somersaults piked attracted scores of 8 the first time he has used it in competition. Emily Alderman (15) medaled in both the events she entered, taking gold on platform and silver on 1m springboard. Her performance on platform showed clearly why she has had such success in the event on the international stage as she took the gold over 80 points ahead of her nearest rival. In an impressive performance on 3m springboard, Fran Godfroy (16) beat off a strong field to take gold. She also picked up 4th places on 1m and platform. The senior events allowed spectators to see some of Britains top internationals performing. They witnessed Blake Aldridge (25), Monique McCarroll (26), Louise Van Hoof (19) and Gary Hunt (23) taking golds in their various events. Rob Appleby (21), a member of the club's Masters squad, also took gold on 3m and silver on 1m springboard. For many of the competitors there were important issues at stake as the event was an opportunity for some to make the qualifying standard to compete in the National Age Group finals to be held at the Quays on 28th – 30th March 2008. It was also a tracking event for the National Junior Talent programme, involving some of the top Junior Elite divers from across the country. Tom Owens, one of the coaches overseeing the event, was delighted with the outcome. "This was a great result," he enthused. "Despite tough opposition from countrywide talent SDA more than held its own to come out on top for the sixth year running. It was great to have a good crowd of spectators, who were certainly not disappointed by the spectacular show they witnessed." Nick Murphy, Executive Director from Southampton City Council, who came to watch a competition for the first time, expressed his enjoyment of the occasion: "I was blown away by the confidence of the youngsters pulling off what looked to me like incredibly complicated dives" he said after the event. The seniors are now preparing for the KlingerCook trophy event, a new competition being held between GB and Germany in Sheffield at the beginning of November. A large team from SDA will also be competing in Luton at the end of November. Full results were as follows: 1m springboard
3m springboard
Platform
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| For further details call Lindsey Fraser: 023 8072 0922 / 07810 305355 or email Lindsey.fraser@southampton.gov.uk. |
| Photo opportunities can be arranged. |