By Ashley Tomkins.

Five Yeovil District Swimming Club team members celebrated success for Great Britain in the UIPM BiathleTriathle World Championships.
Isobel Stacey, Lily Nutland, Bibi Abernethy, Katinka Thurstan and Joshua Hinton travelled to Madeira at the end of October, having qualified for the GB team earlier in the year, and competed against swimmers from 15 other countries.
This year’s course was very tough, featuring not only a sea swim but also a running course, part of which was through the soft sandy beach. GB came third behind South Africa and Egypt, fighting off stiff competition, particularly from the Czech Republic, Japan and France.

On the individual front Bibi Abertheny came 9th and Lilly Nutland and Katinka Thurstan came 15th in their respected age groups of the individual Triathle. Isobel Stacey came 8th in the mixed relay and 6th in the individual Triathle and Joshuan Hinton came 20th for the boys.

Back in the UK the YDSC Masters were celebrating after competing in the Swim England South West Masters Open Meet. YDSC had a strong team, some competing for the first time. Dan Card won silver in the men’s 100m breaststroke. Ryan Blake took bronze in the 100m and 400m free events. New boy Hugh Broadribb finished with a stunning silver medal in the 50m breaststroke and bronze in the 100m and 200m events. Even YDSC’s coach Mark Ovens achieved his first sub-30 seconds (29.05s) swim in the 50m free.

The club’s younger swimmers were also busy competing at Exeter Swimming Club’s Lyndsay Powell swim meet. Star performer was Dexter Scott who won three golds, three silvers and two bronze medals for the 11-year-boys. Theo Perrin continued his fine form having come back from the national team championships with a gold medal in the 200m breaststroke and bronze in the 100m breast. Florence Parsons, 11, did well in the 200m breaststroke, just missing out on a medal in fourth place.
Yeovil are now looking forward to their Christmas meet on 10-11 December at Millfield.

Yeovil Swimming Club cater for swimmers from around the age of eight and also have a growing master’s squad for slightly older swimmers. Swimmers should be about stage 5/6 and above to be able to try out. Get in touch for more information and to arrange a free trial at membership.ydsc@gmail.com
For more information about the swimming club visit www.ydsc.co.uk