Royal Navy Masters Meet shows its class in 2024

Together with Counties, the Royal Navy Masters Meet is seen as an ideal opportunity for those new to the discipline to cut their teeth - whether it be those former competitive swimmers that have not seen action for several years', or those completely fresh to the concept of competitive swimming. An entry-level meet with no qualifying times, its timing frequently spars with many Age Group County events (the Royal Navy itself falling under Hampshire and Channel Island jurisdiction and thus attempting to source the same forever shrinking pool of judges and volunteers) but always manages to put on a well timed, friendly and inviting programme - with added benefit of the Millfield School Pool venue, hosts since inception in the mid-noughties. 

2024 saw a seismic shift in performance and quality for this typically understated competition - likely down to both World Masters Championships in Doha taking place two weeks after (a last chance for race practise) and the British Masters Championships in Swansea being brought forward as typical for an Olympic Year, leaving limited room for nailing qualifying times. With Middle Distance events such as 400m and 200m FC swelling from usual five or six heats to over twelve, and quite phenomenal sprinting that saw 32-year-old Rebecca Guy of Bristol Penguins clock 24 seconds, the health Southampton contingent of Ten knew podium placing was going to be extremely tough. Refreshing however, to see several new faces making the trip to Glastonbury, and notching up medals in such a range of ages...none of which were 'easy'! 

Melissa Dolby (25-29yrs) enjoyed her final year as a vicenarian by claiming triple gold over the 100m IM (01.09.26), 100m Butterfly (01.06.28) and 50m Butterfly (00.29.66), denied the quadruple in the 50m FC (00.27.82) by Basingstoke Bluefin Erin Robertston...but efforts enough to secure the Red's only Top Age Group winner. Issy Lyon-Maris made her return to Millfield with stern competition over the favoured Backstroke events, claiming both Silver and Bronze in the 50m (00.35.15) and 100m (01.16.02) respectively. Matt Nash (25-29yrs) produced solid 100m Butterfly (01.06.47) and FC (01.02.35) for Top.5 finishes, a sliced a few tenths of seconds off his best 50m dashes for additional Top.10 placings. 

Carl Halford (30-34yrs) added to Southampton's golden tally with an opening salvo over the 400m FC (04.26.31) for a Masters Personal Best, holding on a few hour's later for the double in the 200m FC (02.05.87).

Sarah Mead (40-44yrs) is used to going the distance in gruelling open water events...now turning skills to the pool with a strong performance in the 400m FC (06.32.97) in a debut that earned her a solid Silver, followed by Top.5 positions in the 50m FC (00.41.09) and 200m FC (03.09.12). In the same age division, James MacTavish (40-44yrs) opted for a varied programme of races from 100m Butterfly (01.07.84) which despite being a strong swim, was only enough for Fifth against Basingstoke Bluefin and recent British Record breaker Olly Espinasse amongst other pedigree National names, but claimed a duo of Silvers in the 200m FC (02.15.94) and left-field 100m Backstroke (01.12.19). 

Kim Tarrant (55-59yrs) was also on Personal Best breaking form across her familiar Breastroke events - 50m (00.43.98) and 100m (01.36.77) a clean second off both for Silver and Bronze behind Wincanton favourite Phillipa Grady. Moving through the decades, CSSC was honoured to have not just one, but two septuagenarians, with Maria Bunce (70-74yrs) extending beyond her usual County-only programme to take final podium places on the 50m Breast (01.02.44) and 50m FC (00.51.00), with Tim O'Brien (70-74yrs) up against stalwart Steve Folsom of Teddington over the 50m FC (00.34.56) and 100m FC (01.16.70), finally claiming a crown in the 200m FC (02.49.04). 

Such was the congestion of the event, the 4 x 50 Medley relays were scrapped to allow for individuals to be given as much time and space as possible...the 4 x 50 FC relays snuck in right at the end, with both CSSC's 100yrs+ (Halford/Nash/Dolby/Mead) and 200yrs+ (MacTavish/O'Brien/Lyon-Maris/Tarrant) just pushed out of Top Three placings in each - although a lot of last-minute entries declared did mess with the Coach's planning somewhat! 

Next event...British Nationals in Swansea, which only opened the week following and is already near to capacity. British Swimming certainly gets is cash from the veterans of the sport that much is certain.

MEDAL TALLY

GOLD : 6

SILVER : 8

BRONZE : 5

TOTAL : 19

James MacTavish

CSSC Masters Coach