Just arrived at the swimming pool where the most biggest competition (I would say) is held! I am pretty nervous because it's a 50m pool, and usually my team trains in 25m and compete in 25m, with usually different times. I am not used to compete in 50m long course. I'll try my best to get closer and closer to my final time, and who knows, maybe I'll do better! But of course, you never know what you'll get; that is why I'll focus on my breathing and present. I hope everyone will have a good weekend! UPDATES 1: for 50 m butterfly I retain the last time at 25 m short course (34.40 to now 34.45 s) but improved by almost 2 s comparing the previous time at 50 m long course while for 50 m freestyle I also pretty retain the last time at 25 m short course (31.45 to now 31.79 s) but improved by almost 3 s comparing the previous time at 50 m long course. UPDATES 2: today I had 100 m butterfly and 200 m freestyle, 50 m long course. It was a bit harder and could not keep my time corresponding to 25 m short course. I tried hard but still being off about 4 s from the entry time. Not sure why but all my entry times were taken from my latest times obtained on 25 m short course and not on 50 m course, the last time I did on 50 m long course it was in March 2024. Comparing to those times, I improved my times for 100 m butterfly and 200 m freestyle by 7 s (from 1:27.37 to 1:20.40) and almost 10 s (from 2:45.30 to 2:35.79). I hope tomorrow to get a bit closer to my 25 m time for 100 m freestyle.

A further 8 races for Ava last weekend resulted in 11 PB’s from 14 events, 6 finals achieved: - 100m back - 4th - 200m back - 5th - 400IM - 7th - 50m back - 8th - 200IM - 9th - 100m fly - 9th A great long course Essex Age Groups campaign.

This weekend was the 800m freestyle. Skyla was in the first heat for her age group so I was concerned she might not pace herself as well as if she was in a higher heat. However she started and finished strong with a massive pb of 1:10:95. Skyla set a great time for the others and ended up being 2nd. 🥈 I was very proud of her swim regardless of where she came but was super pleased for her to get a medal.

Viktoria's father, just wanted to wish you all a wonderful new and better year, full of great achievements and all dreams to come true. Thank you everyone for the support of Viktoria, thank you David to allow us being part of such wonderful group. Happy New Year! La multi ani! Best regards, Gabriel

The first weekend of counties have been and gone for Ava. 4 long course pbs out of 6 races with a 4th in the 100m back and 7th in the 400IM. Unfortunately her 50m fly and breast were off her pb from last year, so work to be done on her sprint events. She has a full programme of 8 events to get her teeth into to complete her Essex Age Groups 2025 campaign this weekend. Let’s hope it’s another positive one.