Isle of Wight swimming gala praised as 'event of the year'
Swimmers from 23 clubs competed fiercely at the Isle of Wight Marlins Open Masters Swim Meet.
Held at Medina Pool, the event featured 38 competitions, from 800m to 25m sprints.
Jaqueline Patel from Spencer SC won the Top Female Swimmer title, while Jenny Ball from Ryde SC was the Top Isle of Wight Female Swimmer.
Jevgenijs Putans from Bracknell and Wokingham SC was the Top Male Swimmer, with Gary Kurth from Seaclose SC being the Top Isle of Wight Male Swimmer.
Bracknell and Wokingham SC bagged the Top Overall Club award.
Jaqueline Patel also won the Charles Ambler Trophy, excelling in 13 events with 11 first places.
Referee Bob Cooper said: "Having been involved in this event for over 20 years it is a pleasure to see swimmers who were taking part in those early years at Sandown Heights still swimming here.
"To see 81-year-old Helga Reinicke, who comes over from Germany, once again makes it all worthwhile.
"Again this year the team competition was keen. I had many thanks from the swimmers for my colleagues in the Marlins SC who organise and then support the running of the event, for the officials, and I thank the Medina Pool management and staff for their backing."
