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From Volume 1 Number 1 (February 2000)

Postal swims are more popular in the USA than they are here in the UK, and some outstanding swims were reported towards the end of 1999. Tod Spieker, one of few swimmers to race without goggles, set a record 50-54 age-group time of 32-48.65 for 3000 yards, splitting successive 1000 yard segments of 10-56, 10-56 and 10-57. His time also beat the existing 45-49 record (currently 34-12) and was only a touch short of the 40-44 record of 32-42.6.

Other big postal swims were recorded by Barbara Dunbar (aged 50) who swam 37-33.58 and 1 hr 17-33.91 for 3000 and 6000 yards, Karlene Pipes-Neilson 32-54.57 for 3000 yards in the 35-39 group, and 30-year old Nancy North's 6000 yards effort of 1 hr 13-05.76.

Other news from San Diego in the US includes a report of another great Barbara Dunbar swim, a short course WR 1500 of 19-59.03, and another in the 200 fly, 2-44.84. In the 35-39 group Karlene Pipes-Neilson set a new 1500 mark of 17-36.24.

George Boles reports a world short course 400 record of 4-09.10 by Bill Specht in the 40-44 group.

The Pan-Pacific Masters Championships held in Perth, Western Australia, were the occasion of eight world masters records. Over 1000 swimmers from 13 countries took part, including 21 British swimmers.

New Zealander Barry Young set four world marks in the 60-64 group: 100 fly in 1-13.25; 200 fly in 2-53.92; 200 back 2-40.83; and 400 IM 5-51.70.

Japan's Yoshiko Osaki, a 1960 Olympian, broke the ladies' records for 60-64 200 IM (3-05.90), 100 fly (1-27.05), and 200 free (2-43.16). The eighth record went to South African Terry Downes, 100 free in 56.69. An eclectic Spencer team was the best overseas club.

18 November 1999: News from Florida of an outstanding 500-yard effort from Janelle Atkinson, wo will represent Jamaica in the Olympics. Her time of 4-37.91 was just a smidgen away from Janet Evans's amazing 1988 record of 4-37.30. Her splits, for those of us who can still just remember yards times, were 54.14, 56.70, 56.26, 56.43, 54.38.

20 November 1999: The FINA World Cup meet at College Park, Maryland, produced three world short course records. Lenny Krayzelburg just dipped below Martin Lopez-Zubero's 1991 record of 1-52.51 with a 1-52.47 swim. All-purpose sprinter Neil Walker cut 0.01 off the 50 back record with a 24.13, and Jennie Thompson swam 50 butterfly in 26.00.

2 February 2000: The second day of the World Cup meet at Sheffield. Ian Thorpe proves supreme over 200 metres, doing just enough to shade the USA's recently best distance man Chad Carvin. The previous day, Thorpe, just to show he is mortal, lost his goggles at the start of the 100 but still won in a handy 49.38. Today his equipment stays in place and he eases to a 3-40.94 400 win.

Britain's best performance came from Rebecca Cooke, who won the 400 (4-09.24) and 800 metres (8-29.53). A gripping 1500 metres also saw three men dip below 15 minutes, the winner being Tyler Painter of the USA.

Perhaps the best series of swims came from South Africa's Terence Parkin, winner of the 100 and 200 breaststroke, and 200 and 400 I.M.

Unfortunately not many of the UK's best swimmers took part, notable exceptions being Sue Rolph and James Hickman, but there was no Alison Sheppard, none of Willey, Harris, Ruckwood, no Foster, Brynn, Paul Palmer or Graeme Smith and so on. They must all have good reasons but it is a pity for the British round of this competition not to be a better advertisement for British swimming.

This extract was from Volume 1 Number 2 (March 2000). To view another extract from Waterworld, just click here.