Defying flight and travel chaos, a large group of Spencer swimmers took part at the 2022 British Masters Championships (long course) in Aberdeen. While individual performances were underlined with personal bests, records and medals, it was the relays that brought, not only substantial medals, but also the greatest sense of team unity and group achievement. Spencer Swim Team finished second in the event, a superb result.
Amanda Heath’s fabulous swimming
In the 65-69 age group, Amanda broke the 200 breaststroke world record with a time of 3.12.63, 3 seconds faster than her own old world record set in Swansea in March, and faster than the current European record in the 60-64 age group.
Amanda also broke the British records in 100 breaststroke, 200 fly and 200 back. And she won the 200 and 400 IM, 50 breaststroke and 100 fly.
World and European records in relays
In the 240+ category Amanda, Esther, Greg and Clive broke the world record in the 4×100 mixed medley. In the 280+ category Helen, Esther, Di and Amanda broke the world women’s record in the 4×100 medley. And lastly in the 240+ Esther, Amanda, Greg and Clive broke the European mixed 4×50 medley record.
Luca’s story
My concern was swimming long-course without any training in a 50m pool. Friday morning my breastroke was long and strong since the first stroke, with still some engine to sprint last 25m, when I saw my new PB 3:01:66 (smashed my prepandemic of 9 secs) I felt the emotion but nobody could see that.
400 IM was also fantastic 6:05:26 another PB by 5 secs, missed the podium for 12 hundreds, but nobody is perfect !!!
Saturday I was tired, warm-up told me that, but I found enough energy to swim a good 200 IM (6 secs slower than my PB) 2:49:14, which granted me a bronze.
I also would like to thank Clive, Greg, and Michael, to take me twice to the podium for two silver medals for 4×50 and 4×100 Medley Relays. My Nationals weekend was simply Glorious!!!”
Fiona Wiggins story
“Well, my standout moment was the 50m breaststroke. A 6 second PB for long course, and in fact half a second faster than my short course PB!! Burst into tears afterwards I was so overjoyed. I put it down to training out-of-town with Amanda.”
Sally Ritchie story
“1 gold, 2 silvers, 1 bronze and a lifetime PB in 50m free (FINALLY)!! Thanks Team Spencer for cheers, Haribo and incredible effort in the pool!”
| 201 Fri (2) W 4×200 free | 200 | Abba, Karen, Fran, Suzanne 1st |
| 207 Fri (2) Mx 4×100 Medley | 200 | Simon (bk), Fiona (br), Abba (fl), Michael (fc) 4th |
| 207 Fri (2) Mx 4×100 Medley | 240 | Greg (bk), Amanda (br), Clive (fl), Esther(fc) 1st – World Record |
| 207 Fri (2) Mx 4×100 Medley | 280 | Godfrey (bk), Di (br), Fran (fl), Peter (fc) 1st |
| 301 Fri (3) Mx 4×100 free | 280 | Esther, Godfrey, Di, Peter 1st |
| 306 Fri (3) W 4×50 free | 280 | Suzanne, Muriel, Sue, Fran 2nd |
| 307 Fri (3) M 4×50 free | 200 | Greg, Michael, Godfrey, Clive 2nd |
| 402 Sat (1) M 4×100 free | 240 | Simon, Michael, Godfrey, Peter 2nd |
| 501 Sat (2) M 4×50 medley | 200 | Greg (bk) Luca (br), Clive (fl), Michael (fc) 2nd |
| 502 Sat (2) W 4×50 medley | 280 | Esther, Muriel, Amanda, Sue DQ |
| 502 Sat (2) W 4×50 medley | 200 | Fran (bk), Rebecca (br), Abba (fl), Suzanne (fc) 2nd |
| 502 Sat (2) W 4×50 medley | 160 | Sally (bk), Fiona (br), Karen (fl), Laura (fc) 3rd |
| 509 Sat (2) Mx 4×200 free | 160 | Simon, Fran, Laura, Oli 2nd |
| 509 Sat (2) Mx 4×200 free | 280 | Esther, Godfrey, Di, Peter 1st |
| 607 Sat (3) Mx 4×50 medley | 280 | Fran (bk), Muriel (br), Michael (fl), Peter (fc) DQ |
| 607 Sat (3) Mx 4×50 medley | 240 | Greg (bk), Amanda (br), Clive (fl), Esther (fc) 1st equal European record, British record |
| 607 Sat (3) Mx 4×50 medley | 120 | Simon (bk), Oli (br), Abba (fl), Sally (fc) 1st |
| 701 Sun (1) W 4×100 medley | 280 | Helen (bk), Amanda (br), Esther (fl), Di (fc) 1st World record |
| 701 Sun (1) W 4×100 medley | 200 | Fran (bk), Rebecca (br), Abba (fl), Karen (fc) 1st |
| 702 Sun (1) M 4×100 medley | 200 | Greg (bk), Luca (br), Clive (fl), Michael (fc)2nd |
| 707 Sun (1) Mx 4×50 free | 200 | Greg, Clive, Karen, Laura 4th |
| 707 Sun (1) Mx 4×50 free | 160 | Oli, Michael, Abba, Sally 4th |
| 707 Sun (1) Mx 4×50 free | 280 | Godfrey, Peter, Sue, Esther 2nd |