The 18th IOW Masters International Swim meet took place at Medina Leisure Centre on Saturday (11th February), attracting competitors from both the Island and the mainland.
Swimmers from the Island’s 4 clubs – Marlins, West Wight, Seaclose and Ryde – took part with Jenny Ball (Ryde) winning her 6 events in the 75-80 age group and Lindsey Shenton (Marlins) winning her 6 events in the 55-60 age group.
The overall best male was Steve Gibbs from Eastliegh who swam in 13 events in the 41-45 age group, winning them all and taking the Charles Amber Memorial Trophy and a Paul Critchley Hand Crafted Sculpture.
The overall best female was Judith Charman from Ruislip & Northwood who entered 13 events in the 46-50 age group, taking home a Paul Critchley Hand Crafted Sculpture.
The winners of The Heights Memorial Trophy for the best club were Bracknell & Wokingham.
In total there were 19 individual swimmers from the Island’s clubs with West Wight coming 3rd in the best team competition.
The most credible swim was by Jo Cooper in the 66-70 age group who swam the 800m freestyle in just 20:58.93. This was her first ever race.
Jo said:
“I helped at the Marlins Pier to Pier race last year and decided ‘I want to do that’ so I started training for it this year and this is the first challenge taken”.
Bob Cooper, Referee and Chair of the Marlins said:
“It was good to see the same number of swimmers this year as last, and I thank those from the mainland clubs who come over to the Island. I know several of them make a weekend of it which is good for the Island.
“I must thank the Pool staff at Medina for their help and for all the team of Marlin helpers who make it possible to run this event and our Pier to Pier race”.
This year’s Pier to Pier race in Sandown will take place on Saturday 12th August at 14:30.
