On 1st September six swimmers from the North East region set off to Padova, Italy for the SUDS (Sports Union for athletes with Down Syndrome) European Open Championships 2023.
Will Browning and George Stubbs (Tadcaster York Sport Swim Squad), Thomas Raddings (City of Wakefield Swimming club), Jake Vicars (Richmond Dales / Pontefract Marlins SC) , Ellen Stephenson (Richmond Dales / NE Disability SC) & Will Lake (Richmond Dales) formed part of the 33 swimmers selected to represent Team GB at the championships. The North East region were represented on poolside support team by Coach – Terry Raddings, Team Doctor – Kathryn Stephenson and Head Coach – Keith Hall.
TOP ROW (L-R): Will Lake, Will Browning, Thomas Raddings / BOTTOM ROW (L-R): Jake Vicars, George Stubbs, Ellen Stephenson
The team arrived a few days before the event to ensure they were orientated and familiar with the area and were then able to complete two days of last minute training at a fantastic outdoor 50m pool close to the competition venue.
With temperatures touching 35 degrees most days the acclimatisation was essential.
The team were housed in the Hotel Terme Millipini close to Padova. As well as being a fabulous base for the team it boasts the worlds deepest thermal free diving training pool extending a whopping 42m downwards. Some of the team were treated to a guided tour of the facility which was amazing.
The Opening ceremony and final training day was on Monday and the competition started on Tuesday 5th. Countries represent in the swimming events were Portugal, Italy, Estonia, USA, Poland, Turkey, Spain, Republic of Ireland, Romania, Slovenia, Brazil, Republic of South Africa & Norway.
For George it was his first chance to experience international competition and he rose to the occasion with some excellent individual events.
After two days of hard racing and leading the medal table, the team were able to take a well earned break on the Thursday. Some took the opportunity to visit Venice or Padova while others chose to relax around the pools at the hotel.
The last two days of competition on Friday and Saturday were as exciting at the first two days.
Jake was selected for his first team relay in the Mens / Open 4 x 200 free. He swan an excellent leg helping the tea to second place and the silver medal.
Ellen Stephenson, one of the most experienced of the GB Team, having recently competed in Vichey, France at the Global Games and a veteran of several DSISO European & World Championships, gave her all in every race and came away as the top point scoring female Mosaic swimmer. A fantastic achievement.
Italy and Portugal were best placed to overtake GB on the medal table but the outstanding team work in the relays and some real determination in the individual events meant the the championships ended with Team GB overall winners on the medals and point table and deservedly crowed European Champions 2023.
The final points :-
Team GB – 506
Italy – 336
Portugal – 320
GB came away with :-
16 Gold
11 Silver
13 Bronze.
Numerous Individual & Team European and World records were broken during the week and the team came home full of pride and with more international experience. They are now looking to progress and improve, hoping to be selected to represent GB at the Word Championships in Antalya, Turkey in March 2024. This was an outstanding success for the GB Team, helped significantly by the efforts of the NE Region swimmers.
Report supplied by: Keith Hall, Head Coach
