Masters swimming - first trial for FINA Masters C'ships

By Leslie Fernando

Swimming: The entries for the Short Course Masters Swimming Championships will close on December 1. The championships, the last meet for the year 2006 will be held on December 16 at the Tamil Union swimming pool starting at 8.30 a.m.

P. S. P. Dayananda, Director of the SLASU Interim Committee and Masters Swimming, Diving, Waterpolo and Synchronised Swimming said that Masters Swimming Championships (both men and women) will also serve as a first selection trial to pick swimmers for the FINA World Masters Swimming Championships to be held in Melbourne, Australia next year. The dates will be known shortly.

The Short Course Masters Swimming Championships will be conducted for men and women in 12 age categories 20-24 years, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-80 and above.

Altogether 34 events will be worked off. The morning session start time at 8.30 a.m. to 12 noon and the events are 100 metres individual medley, 100 metres butterfly, 100 metres back stroke, 100 metres breast stroke, 100 metres free style, 50 metres butterfly, 50 metres back stroke, 50 metres breast stroke.

The events from 1.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. are 50 metres freestyle, 25 metres butterfly, 25 metres back stroke, 25 metres breast stroke, 25 metres freestyle, 4x25 metres medley relay, 4x25 metres free style relay, 4x25 metres mixed medley relay, 4x25 metres mixed free style relay.

Nominations for relay events including team members are to be made at the pool on the day of the event. Swimmers should have entered for at least one individual event and shall not swim for more than one team in each relay event. Combined ages for relay teams are: 100-119, 120-150, 160-199, 200-239, 240-270, 260-310, 320-359 and forty year increments as high as is necessary. Mixed relay teams consist of two men and two women.

The overall champions will be selected (combined results on men and women) and challenge trophy will be presented. The best swimmer will be picked in men's and women's events and will be awarded special prizes.

Entries should be forwarded to SLASU Headquarters No. 7, Reid Avenue, Colombo 7.