BUSA Long Course Championships

Two City of Sheffield Backstroke stars were in action at the BUSA Long Championships at Ponds Forge over the weekend of Februray 10th to February 12th 2006.

James Crisp, aged 23, is a Student at Sheffield Hallam studying Business Studies and came to City of Sheffield 6 months ago. James was a double Gold Medallist at the Sydney Paralympics in the 100m Backstroke and 200m Individual Medley and a Silver Medallist at the Athens Paralympics in the 100m Backstroke. He's also been the World Record holder in the 100m Backstroke since 1998 until two weeks ago when it was broken.

James swam 1.05.87 in the 100m Backstroke and 2.19.43 in the 200m Backstroke this weekend. James says "I'm annoyed that I've had my 100m record broken by 3/100's of a second, and am determined to get it back in April. I'm training really hard to get ready for the British Champs, where I hope to qualify for the World Championships in South Africa, and go head to head with Matthew Cowdrey from Australia, who took my record!"

Andy Shepherd, aged 21, went 27.29 in the 50m Backstroke, finishing in 3rd place, 58.55 in the 100m Backstroke, for another 3rd place and 2.08.51 in the 200m Backstroke to finish fourth. Andy is a student at Sheffield Hallam University studying Sports Science and has been at City of Sheffield Swim Squad for 3 years. Andy has shown massive improvements in the past 2 years and is now ranked 5th in the senior GB rankings.

Andy is aiming for a spot on the GB team at the European Championships through the trials in the summer. Andy says "Im really happy to have swam this fast during hard training. I am currently training 9 times a week in preparation for the British Champs in April. This has given me a big boost in the build up!"

Andy Shepherd

James Crisp