Winsford Swimming Club

It was that time of year again where our Winter National Qualifiers headed to Sheffield for our Short Course National Championships. The competition takes place over four days with heats and finals for both senior and junior level. The talent this year was utterly breath-taking. We saw British, European and even World Records tumble! For anyone who got to experience it live or even see via the live stream I’m sure you saw that the finals were just an experience in themselves! The music, the lighting, the commentary- what a vibe! We had Sheffield bouncing. 

Day One

We kicked off with a nice early start and Giorgio went in the 200m Freestyle. What a kick start to the meet it was, a 6 seconds drop on his recent times, so good it landed us a place in the final! Next was Siena in 200 Freestyle with a comfortable heat and a place into the evening final. Next we had Kate and Carys in the 100m Freestyle, Kate swum an incredible heat in a new lifetime PB and the first time hitting a 56 which got her a place into the Junior Final. Carys hit one of her best 100m freestyle times ever, attempting to beat the lifetime PB she did only the week before in that incredible win at our Arena final. 

Finals 

First evening underway - Giorgio kicked us off again in the final and taking another 3 seconds off his time totalling a 9 second time drop from his entry earlier that morning and a new lifetime PB, incredible start to the meet. Next was Siena who took to that final with such guts and determination managing to go 5 seconds quicker than her morning heat and smashing out a new lifetime PB, well done Siena! Finally it was Kate’s turn on the 100 Free, another brilliant swim and a repeat of the morning’s 56, also off to a great start. 

Day Two

We began the day with the 100m Backstroke, Kate’s favourite, she cruised her way into the A final with a technically beautiful swim. Quickly after it was Giorgio’s turn on the 100m Breaststroke, he was super excited for this one. From the get go he looked powerful, gutsy and determined hitting the wall in a new lifetime PB and a place in the evening final. Kate and Carys then took a splash and dash in the 50m Freestyle, funnily enough even in the same heat! Kate just touched Carys out by 0.05 but both did one of their fastest 50 Frees ever hitting a 26 low. Kate got a place into the Junior Final with this time. Next Hen has arrived! It’s time for her first race of the competition 200m Butterfly, her favourite! Hen only lifetime pb’d this a few weeks ago to qualify in the first place, so was feeling apprehensive but we discussed the race plan and she executed it to perfection in a new lifetime PB, and finished 10th in the country out of the 16 year olds. Hen was thrilled to be off to such a fantastic start. Lastly Siena went in for the 100m Backstroke, not her preferred event but no pressure, enjoy it, and see what happens and wow that tactic worked! A new 3 seconds lifetime PB and a place into the evening final. 

Finals

Our first final of the evening was Kate’s 100 Backstroke, were so excited for it and it was worth the wait! A 58 second 100 Backstroke, a Junior British Record and a silver medal in the A final with elite swimmers, wow! What a swim! Well done Kate! Next was Giorgio in his 100m Breastroke where he matched another amazing 1.13 and had a really great race. Kate quickly went back in for the 50 free feeling the high from the British record, but she still managed another small lifetime PB and finished 5th in the junior final. Lastly was Siena in the 100m Backstroke who managed to take another 1 second off her heats this morning and totalled a 4 seconds lifetime PB today on 100m Backstroke from a 1.12 to a 1.08! Finished 4th and only 0.5 off the medals. Someone’s a secret backstroker in disguise!

Day Three

Giorgio kicked us off bright and early with the 100m Free, we were feeling confident after that amazing 200 two days earlier. Giorgio hits the wall taking 1 second off his entry time and was pleased with another incredible performance. Siena was next also for the 100m Freestyle swimming a great heat to qualify her straight into the final. Next we had Lois in the 200 Breaststroke. Lois has been qualifying at national level year after year now and has consistently been there and performing at the highest level. Lois had a strong race and it was great to see her here and racing again. Well done Lois! Kate then went in for her 50 Backstroke PB and with a new PB secured a place in the A final, we were excited to see what tonight could bring. Finally it was Hen’s turn, she had 2 races pretty much back to back the 50m Butterfly into the 100 IM and swum lifetime PBs in both, the biggest shock being the 28 mid she hit on 50 Fly that she couldn’t believe herself! This swim filled her with confidence and excitement for the medley relay this evening. Hen finished 6th out of the 16’s in the 50 Fly just missing out on the final by 0.2 and 9th in the 100 IM. Brilliant! Kate did a new lifetime PB in her IM and qualified for the Junior Final. 

Finals

Siena started the evening off with her 100m Freestyle in a really gutsy swim hit the 1.02 and finished 10th, brilliant! Next was Kate in her 50m Backstroke final, shout out to Jackie who was officiating at our Winsford gala during it & thank you to everyone who allowed Jackie to watch by pausing the gala, and putting the race on the big screen. Kate hit a new lifetime PB and took joint junior gold, incredible performance! Kate then had a quick turn around for her Junior 100 IM final which she won in a new time of 1.03. After a long wait it was finally show time for our Medley Relay the excitement had been building and we were ready. Molly, Ethan, Hen and Jonny took to the big stage and performed incredibly, all four swimmers hitting a lifetime PB split which is difficult to do as seniors & finished 4th in the heat and 23rd in the country overall. The relay was an absolute pleasure to watch and we were so thrilled to get the opportunity and honoured to have been invited. Massive well done to the four of you! 

Day Four 

It was our final day, Giorgio kicked us off with the 200 IM in a new 4 second lifetime PB and what an incredible swim, it was an absolute honour to watch. Quickly followed by Siena for her 200 IM where she had a really solid swim making tonight’s final. Kate then took to the 200m Backstroke and swum another new lifetime PB and secured herself a place in Junior Final that evening. Siena went in the 100m Butterfly next, feeling a bit nervous she wasn’t sure how this one would go, but got in and gave it everything, once again securing a place in another final this year! Next it was Hen’s turn for 100 Fly after an unreal meet so far she was hyped and ready to go, as I anticipated she hit a 1.03 100 Fly for the first time ever in an amazingly gutsy swim. 9th quickest 16 year old in the country. The huge smile she gave to balcony said a million words, Congratulations Hen what a meet for you! 

Finals

Our final session of this meet, we were ready to make some noise for the last time. Siena hit the water first with her 200 IM and matched her time from the morning finishing 7th, amazing job! Kate then went in for her 200m Backstroke Junior Final after a busy 4 days of racing finished 6th. Siena had to quickly recover as she soon had the 100m Butterfly next where she went a lifetime PB and over a second quicker than her heats this morning where she finished 8th in the final. Siena has had a phenomenal meet making finals in everything. Congratulations, can’t wait to see what 2026 brings you. Our last event of the entire competition, and last race of 2025 saw Jonny, Ethan, Hen and Izzy take the 4x50m Freestyle relay. Same as last night the atmosphere was electric and what an amazing show SE put on we loved it! All 4 swimmers swum their hearts out with incredible splits and finished 3rd in heat 1, 23th in the country. Congratulations team!

Overall what a meet. Honestly an incredible long weekend with laughter, team spirit and very fast swimming! Congratulations once again to our 2025 Winter Nationals Qualifiers, let’s recover, enjoy this break and come back stronger and quicker for 2026!

Molly