With entries up on last year RLSS UK National Speed Championships which took place over the weekend of 9 & 10 March at Ponds Forge Leisure Centre in Sheffield.

This year for the first time all competitors were required to hold a Sport Survive & Save award as a pre-requisite and encouragingly there was a 10% increase in overall number of entries – with over 400 competitors taking part in the 50m manikin carry event.  We welcomed four new clubs this year who took part for the first time, as well as some new individual competitors.  We hope they all had a great time!

This year a new record was set, Matt Quimby from Leeds Scott Hall, broke the 9sec mark with (00:08.80) in the Men’s Open Line Throw, an unofficial world record, well done Matt! Congratulations also goes to Graham Brook, Matt’s catcher.

The Patricia Russell Trophy for the most successful under 18 competitor was awarded to Charley Gourley from Blyth Lifeguard & Swimming Club with a total of 114 points from 6 events.

The competition was organised by Elaine Lewis, a volunteer from our Wessex Branch.  The Overall Referee for 2013 was Michele Weedy, a volunteer from the North East region. Our thanks in particular go to these two volunteers, although we must thank all officials, marshals, timekeepers and team managers who continue to support competitors by giving up their free time to officiate or encourage and coach participants in their chosen events.  However, we also thank all of the competitors who continue to strive towards their ultimate goal of champion.

We hope everyone who took part had a great time and even after two full days of competing Belfast Olympia members said they were “delighted with the whole experience even though we are all pretty exhausted afterwards but we’ll soon recover.”