Britain’s next generation of open water swimmers took a gold and silver to give British Swimming it’s best ever result.
British Gas swimmers Ellie Faulkner and Gareth Keating won gold and silver espectively in the junior women’s and men’s 5km events in Porec, Croatia. Faulkner swam a great tactical race, timing her final push for victory to perfection and leaving a field of 30 of Europe’s best in her wake to take the gold in 59:56 minutes.
In the same women’s event (age group 1991-1993) Britain’s Kayleigh Dawson was sixth in 60:07 and Catherine Marcroft was 12th in 60:14.
Keating showed his power in the final stages of the men’s (age group 1990-1992) event but was narrowly beaten by Russia’s Arten Podyakov in the last 100m. The Russian touched in 55:46 with Keating just behind in 55:48.
Britain’s Craig Hamilton took fourth place in 56:01 and Alfie Howes was eighth in 56:04.
Open Water Performance Manager Mark Perry commented: “This is the best result ever from a British open water junior team and a great testament to the hard work put in by the swimmers and their home coaches.
“It proves once again that we are on the right track in selecting our swimmers and that those athletes and coaches that have embraced open water as just another swimming event were right to do so. I am personally delighted with the results and look forward to a bright future working with the growing depth of athletes that we are now developing”