Swimmers seek perfect harmony at championships

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica is set to host its second consecutive international Synchronised Swimming Championship, starting today and running through to Saturday at the Bournemouth Bath Pool Swim Complex.

The championships were initially slated to feature teams from five countries, including host nation Jamaica. The other countries were Curaçao, Panama, Peru and the United States.

However, the Peruvians have pulled out of the tournament, bringing the number of participants to four. This number still marks an increase in the number of participating teams from last year, which saw only three countries competing.

Diahann Campbell, chairperson of Synchro Stars, is still excited by the number of participants in this year's tournament.

"It is still the largest single aquatics discipline ever to be held in Jamaica for a non-national team," said Campbell.

"There will be 48 athletes, so this is good," she added.

First set

The first set of synchronised swimmers, the Golden Mermaids of Panama, arrived in the island on Tuesday afternoon. The members of the team included delegation leader Maribel Pineda, coach Giselle Zapateiro and swimmers Ana Gabriela Batista, Briggitte Rodriguez and Maria Paula Sanchez.

The United States will be sending two teams to the tournament. Their first team, which is the Cypress Swim Club consisting of 12 members, arrived yesterday. The second team, the New Canaan, also comprising 12 members, is slated is touch down today, along with the 10-member Curaçao Sharks Aquatics team.

The Knutsford Court Hotel will act as the sports village for all the participants.

first day

The championship will get on the way at 2 p.m. on the first day with figures for all ages.

On the second day, duets and solos in all age groups will take centre stage at 3 p.m., while on the final day, trio and team events will commence at 7 a.m.

For the first time in Jamaica's history, boys will be competing in the sport. Jamaica will not have any male representative, but the Cypress Swim Club will have boys competing alongside the girls.

"The Bourmount Pool is perfect, beautiful and ready," said Campbell. "We are ready but a little practice is always appreciated," she added in relation to our local competitors.