A great start to the new season for a number of our swimmers, this graded meet offers exceptional value for money and a good day (or two) in Fife. We had lots of finalists, numerous medals and a few speeding tickets for those who were deemed too fast for their event.
Michelle led the way with 2 speeding tickets and 2 gold medals from 4 events. John had a very successful weekend, making 6 finals from 8 events and picking up a speeding ticket, a gold and two bronzes. Scott and Amy both collect a full set of gold, silver and bronze medals with Anna winning a gold and a silver and Fi winning a gold and a bronze. Emma C made three finals and came home with a gold medal, as did Rory M. Gillian also made 3 finals and collected a silver, whilst Abby also collected a silver and Sam a bronze.
Biggest PBs were in the 100m breast (Iona , Anna and Emma C), 100m back (Michelle, Rosanna and Fi),100m fly (John), 100m free (Anna, Zoe, Nicole and Melissa), 50m free ( Anna, Emma and Sam) and 50m fly (Scott).
We have some news from our members competing in the world of triathlon. At the Scottish Champs held in Glasgow in early Aug we had three Porty members (Will, Erin and Kate) all crowned as Scottish champions in their age group. Andrew won a bronze in the 15/16 boys, Abby was 4th in the 13/14 girls and Scott was 7th in the 15/16 boys.
 Also, at the British Champs in Hyde Park (the venue for the 2012 Olympic triathlon) Erin finished an excellent 5th in the Youth girls race and Andrew an equally excellent 6th in the boys Youth race. Will also finished in the top 10 with Scott and Niall finishing further back in a large, very competitive field.
 Finally, at the British Aquathlon Champs in South Wales last month Andrew finished 6th and Scott 10th.
We have had it confirmed that we have a fantastic total of 21 swimmers in the Bronze Squad programme for the new season (09/10). This total is only surpassed by one club (Carnegie) in the whole of the East District. In addition, Raquel has been confirmed as reaching the National Youth Development Squad which is well deserved recognition for her excellent achievements over the past 12 months.
Last weekend Niall was down at Sheffield competing in the British Championships in the 100 butterfly event. He set a new PB time of 1:00.26 coming 31st in the 15/16 age group this placed him 8th among the swimmers who are still 15.
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The previous weekend saw him competing in the great new 50m pool in Dublin in the Irish Championships, completing in both the 50m open events and the 15/16 100m events.
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100m fly    2nd  1:01.55
100m free 14th 59.00
50 m  fly   26th 28.12
50m free 24th 26.31
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He was not pleased with his 100 fly race as his PB time would have clinched the gold, but never the less he had a good time and was warmly welcome by both swimmers and officials, as were Pam & I and not only because we were officials !!
Congratulations go to David Fergus who competed along with 11 other Lothian swimmers in the Special Olympics National Summer games in Leicester at the end of July. He won Gold in the 100 IM, and Silver in the 100 Breast. Along with 3 fellow competitors his team were 2nd in the 4 x 50 Free. He swam last in an exciting race, (memories of Bejing, World Special Olympics!). Another silver medal. Well done to David, from all at Portobello Swimming Club.